What do you wear when dog walking?
This is my standard winter ‘kit’ for Brighton Sussex where dog walking involves wind/rain/muddy paths!
I walk dogs for free via Borrowmydoogy (dot com) and have walked Zorro a lab/collie cross for 7 years now. I pick him up 9.30 every Friday and we have a whole day of adventures on the South Downs or along the Coast, taking him home around 4pm. He’s my 
doggy.
15 Likes
Hey @BonnyinBrighton, what a lovely pic! Brighton is one of my favourite places in the world and I think your attire is perfect, especially for those windy/rainy days by the sea. 
Sadly, I don’t have a dog of my own either, but back when I was living in Bournemouth I used to walk my roommate’s dog and I’d wear something very similar. When I was feeling particularly lazy, I’d even wear a DryRobe. 
Send our love to Zorro, besides having the coolest name, he seems like the goodest boy around. 
4 Likes
It took me ages to work out my ideal kit- this coat has huge pockets- perfect for treats in one and poop bags in the other. In the winter water isn’t an issue as Zorro loves drinking puddles! In the summer I have a doggy rucksack and carry a litre of water. Lunch out always involves ‘dog sausages’ which cafes here in the City save on the side for local dog visits.
5 Likes
The litre of water is key, I do remember some cafés/restaurants around Hove leaving dog bowls with fresh water for our furry friends during the heatwaves but you don’t find many near the actual coast.
Looking forward to seeing a pic of the two of you during summer! 
2 Likes
You look way more stylish than I do! For me it’s old pants, a warm fleece and an old jacket with plenty of pockets. Rubber, winter or hiking boots depending on the season.
4 Likes
Depends on the weather. Sometimes a T-shirt and sweatpants. Sometimes a windbreaker over that, if raining. Sometimes, coat, gloves, scarf on top of all, if needed.
By happenstance, my last dog sit was months ago and I’ve been sitting cats, cats, cats. Specifically for one of those locations — which often gets snow — I’ve decided to not sit dogs during winter.
My next sit will be a dog and, in that location given recent weather, I might get away with the windbreaker outfit.
2 Likes
Footwear choice for me at 67 is crucial. I don’t want to fall,slip or get my feet wet! In UK I have Wellies for very wet assignments ! But normally it’s hiking boots that have great wear and grip and are waterproof. I like a coat with big pockets and a small haversack. I take a good sized water bottle, a spare lead, ( once an extendable broke on a walk and it became a real pain to get the dog safely back) ( on another occasion a stray dog fell in love with me and followed me over the hills but had no lead, just a collar so I had to attach a plastic carrier bag as a makeshift lead to get it to cross a busy road before taking it to the police station to get it checked out for ownership.
I usually have a woolly hat stuffed in a pocket somewhere and a piece of fruit and some money if I fancy a pit stop somewhere. I take my phone too with info of the housesit details saved in notes in case there’s a sudden emergency.
I don’t wear posh stuff with dogs they like to be all over me and their hair gets everywhere. One sit I didn’t have the gear for snow and it was suddenly forecasted. I borrowed the Home Owners gear which was superb. The dog felt right at home! Ha ha!
4 Likes
This sounds like my kit too! Although my winter hiking boots are hopeless on the South Downs in winter mud as you end up carrying an extra few pounds of mud weight on each boot! I also take a hiking pole to help get me get unstuck 
in Sussex we have 20+ different words for mud. Claggy mud is the worst for walking dogs…..
2 Likes
I usually sit where there are sidewalks and amenities. Like I’m now in a neighborhood with a high street that includes Starbucks and a bunch of businesses. Many offer water for dogs. Some even biscuits. This neighborhood also has loads of dogs and others walking at anytime. If I needed anything in a pinch, I could ask for help. People are friendly here.
My senior sit dog has a limp and doesn’t walk far. My hosts were surprised he went as far / as long as he did the first walk with me. They said he’ll just stop if he doesn’t want to walk any more. I can carry him, if needed. He gets two short walks and otherwise has a nice backyard to hang out in — he signals when he wants out and in.
I’ve been walking him in my street shoes or flip flops, sweatpants and a fleece or hoodie so far. I have a nylon windbreaker on hand if it rains. At night, I’ve been adding a flashlight that rests around my neck.
3 Likes
@BonnyinBrighton -
ideally we wear shorts, t-shirt, sandals and sunglasses 
. Unless we’re in the UK 
. Or in Canada - sometimes so darn chilly that walk requires ski gear 
4 Likes
It’s going to be hotter than Ibiza in the UK tomorrow, time to get those sunglasses out! 
3 Likes