Going for a walk....and the time it takes to get ready

Going for a walk with my 5 month old puppy is such an expedition with all the things we bring....

Harness and collar and a lead and a long line
Whistle and clicker
Treat bag with normal treats and special 'jack-pot' treats
Toys
Poo bags (which we never use because he waits until he gets home..)
House keys and phone

It takes longer to get ready than to do the walk. Imagine the day we can just take a lead and wander off!

 

Um, I hate to break it to you but, apart from the long line and jackpot treats, I still take all of those things with me, and Molly is four.

 

This is true, especially in summer when you don't have winter coat pockets.
And then with your hands full trying to pick up poo in one hand, hold puppy in the other etc., what do you hold the torch with to find it in the dark?
I have come a cropper many a time.

 

I use a biothane lead and just stand on it and keep both hands free!

 

Most of the above (we seldom take a harness) plus camera bag and spotting scope for watching wildlife.

 

Our expeditions with my 3 year old are light weight - dog, lead, treat bag and poo bags which fit into pocket or treat pouch easily. Phone/keys are optional depending upon whether OH is home or walking with me.

 

Yup, other than the long line and harness, this is all perfectly normal for my lot. I prepare batches of treats and keep them in the fridge so I just have to grab a handful. Whistle, poo bags and clicker stay in my treat bag. I have two bags, one on each hip - the left one has food, the right one has toys. Keys and phone go in my treat bag, too - there are zipped compartments on the back. Everything else lives in a doggy drawer by the front door, so it's clip on the leads and go. Takes no time at all

 

Ah, the maestro at work

What happens to the cape and wand ?

 

Well, they never come off, obviously. You never know when you might need to do a swish-and-swoosh.

 

I know just what you mean, I often wonder if this will ever happen with Cassie ---- she's nearly 2 -- now that I've made myself a "dog trainer"

 

3 and a half years old - I take everything except the long line. And a whistle - you forgot the whistle I can't imagine not taking it all anymore. Like Snowbunny, my treat bag is set up with the essentials - just need to add the treats in the morning.

 

Well when OH is with me I only carry treats and poo bags - get him to carry the rest
I mean, what else is he there for?

 

My puppy is now up to 20 minute walks. We only take his leader and roll out line. Of course, I am not walking in a neighborhood; I walk in a forest and across fields. There is no treat in that environment that can beat the smells brought in by his 210 millions smell receptors. in a low smell environment or a city, the stuff would be different for me too.

 

My neighbourhood is busy and urban and a very hard environment to walk in there's puke rotting food dead animal all kinds of poo other dogs cats foxes drunks druggies yobs and over friendly sex pests who flash at you.. I also use public transport with my dogs so they have to be good in all sorts of places. I train hard in this environment and my dogs seem to get better all the time. I've just been out for a 6 mile country walk with Rory and he's had a fab time and behaved the same. I don't think the environment is the issue it's application.

 

I, like many forum members, live in a rural environment but would never drdream of not having treats in my pocket. Time spent sniffing on a walk may be very rewarding for a dog but a tasty piece of chicken is a great reward for a good recall or other training that I might do while out and about working with natural distractions.

 

And what about all the stuff you have to take when you go away?. . . .

When I walk Plum I usually take: poo bags stuffed in jeans pocket, phone in back pocket, treats in coat pocket, hankie up my sleeve, j cloth type thing to wipe her neck when she rolls in something so at least I can clip her lead back on without getting it all over my hands, tennis ball (sometimes) stuffed in my bra so she doesn't keep bothering me for it!

It's pretty much second nature now to get all this together but boy it takes time traipsing about the house to get it all, while she sits patiently tapping her paw and checking her watch.

 

Yep I like all my stuff with me I used to take a rucksack filled with toys when Rory younger.

 

I always have a backpack because I hate having stuff in pockets. I've got to have a spare lead and collar, silicone water bowl, water, tissues, a small squirter of anti bac hand gel, poo bags, cellphone, keys. Come winter I'll add a jumper and my water proofs.

For short evening walks I go without the kit and it feels weird

 

Oh I would never dare go on a walk without treats. I think they're more important than his lead!

One time I dropped Stanleys lead in poo so I didn't want to put it back on him so we had to walk down a road without his lead. I just shoved a treat under his nose and he walked perfectly all the way home

 

Oh gosh, when I travel with my lot, I take more stuff for them than for myself!