Dog Walking Safety Tips for Pet Sitters
Regular walks are an important part of a dog’s health, and as a pet sitter, you’ll need to go on two to three of them every day. Talk to the dog’s owners before your first sit or drop-in to get a thorough understanding of how and when the dog is usually walked.
While necessary, these walks can also be the riskiest part of pet sitting if the dog you’re caring for has leash reactivity, noise sensitivity, or is prone to overheating. However, there are a few things you can do to keep you and the dog safe.
Here are the 5 tips our professional pet sitters use on their everyday walks.
#1 Use the Right Equipment
Having a well-stocked go-bag is key to a safe and uneventful dog walk. Your full pack list will need to be curated to your climate, surroundings, and clients, but the basics are:
Sturdy leash. Using the right leash is vital to keeping you and the dog safe. While retractable leashes can allow dogs freedom to explore in a safe environment, they can become hazardous in crowded streets. If you have a reactive or nervous dog, the owners may have leash sleeves that indicate that their dog needs space
Safe collar or harness. Always use the collar or harness provided by the client, but make sure it has the right fit before you leave the house. Too loose, and the dog could easily slip out of the harness. Too tight and the hardness could rub and create friction, causing loss of fur or a rash. Same goes for the collar — a good check is to make sure you can fit two fingers under the collar without it being too tight.
Dog treats or toys. Keeping toys and treats on hand is a great way to distract a dog or quickly get their attention, but as many dogs have allergies or sensitive stomachs, always ask the owner what treats they are comfortable having you give their dog. You’ll need to either ask the owners to provide their own treats, bring your own, or a mix of both. Carrying high-value treats that are different from the owner’s can help in luring the dog, as what you have is novel to them.
Portable dog water bowl. Some dogs are more prone to overheating than others, but it’s always a good idea to have a source of water on hand during walks. You could bring a collapsible bowl and water bottle, or an all-in-one portable dog watering system. Check with your client to see if they have a system they use.
Dog wipes. Having dog wipes on hand is great if the dog steps or rolls in anything while you’re out on your walk. Or has a particularly messy poop. Our sitters like to use individually wrapped ones so that they’re easy to carry.
Dependable shoes. Your Birkenstocks aren’t going to cut it as dog-walking shoes. You need laced shoes that you can walk for long distances in and run if you need to. We recommend something lightweight and waterproof that’s designed for running or hiking.
High-vis gear. Whether you’re walking during the day or later in the evening, wear something that will make it easy for others to see you. Stay away from all black, and you may want to invest in a reflective vest, hat, arm band, or rain jacket if you’re in an area with a lot of traffic or safety lights in darker areas.
Pro-Tip: Light-up collars are a great addition to a pet sitter's kit, especially if you're taking care of small or dark colored dogs that are hard to see at night.
Protective gear. Depending on where you live or the time of year, you may need protective boots, jackets, or other gear to keep the dogs safe and comfortable from snow, heat, rain or other inclement weather.
Safe Headset. We don’t recommend using headphones while on a walk so that you can stay more alert, especially if you are walking a reactive dog. However, if you need to take a short call, use a Bluetooth headset that only covers one ear. That way, you can remain aware of your surroundings and have both hands free to tend to the dog.
#2 Check the Weather
Don’t forget to check the weather forecast the day before your walk and early in the morning the day of. That way, you can schedule your walk to avoid any inclement weather and the hottest parts of the day. It will also inform what you may need to pack.
If you’re a San Francisco native and are pet sitting outside of the city, you should also be mindful of how hot it will be during your walks. San Francisco, especially the West Side, is notoriously cool year-round, so it is easy to forget that leaving the city means hot weather.
Places with more direct sunlight have much higher temperatures on the sidewalks and roads. Before walking your dog in hot and sunny weather, check to see if you can hold the back of your hand on the pavement for at least 5 seconds.
If you can’t, better stick to the grass. Maybe look for a shadier dog park or other natural space to explore for the day.
#3 Use Caution Around Other Dogs
Stay aware of your surroundings at all times during your walks. Avoid using headphones so you can clearly hear any dogs, bikes, or people coming up behind you. Even if the dog you’re walking is good with other dogs and animals, it’s always best to avoid other dogs while you’re out as a safety precaution. Take your time and cross the street carefully if you need to.
Watch other dogs’ body language for indicators of anxiety or aggression, and never get closer to dogs that are showing reactive signs. Keep an eye out for:
Excessive barking. Whether a dog is barking out of excitement or aggression can be difficult to tell.
Deer in headlights. A “frozen” dog could indicate a state of panic where they’re more likely to lash out.
Eye stalking. This refers to dogs that closely watch you and your dog, as though they were hunting.
Take your walks at times of the day that you feel are safe for both you and the dogs, and always schedule plenty of time — so you never feel rushed and can take your time when avoiding dogs or other hazards. This may mean walking “off-hours” if the dog you’re watching is reactive, and avoiding crowded trails or parks on the weekends.
#4 Know Your Route
Prioritize taking the dog you’re caring for on routes, trails, or to neighbors you know over trying new and unknown places. If you’re sitting for a client in a new neighborhood, take some time to stroll through it on your own before taking out the dog. It’s also a good idea to ask the client about their standard walking routes or parks that their dogs like.
You need to be familiar with all the hazards along your route, and that means not just other dogs, but also the local insects, plant life, and, if you’re in an urban environment, street glass, garbage, or needles. This is going to look different for every location, and if you’re not sure where to start, research your local Reddit forums for tips
If you’re around San Francisco, keep a lookout for Foxtail burrs and learn how to remove them from a dog’s skin. If you’re in an area that has ticks, you’ll need to add tweezers, disposable gloves, and a lighter to your go-bag to remove them quickly.
#5 Have Insurance
Being insured as a pet sitter is important for your safety, and it may be a step that you haven’t considered if you’re working part-time. If navigating insurance seems daunting or overly expensive, you don’t have to go without. Working with a private pet sitting agency gives you access to benefits like insurance, larger client bases, and client vetting.
If you care this much about keeping yourself and the dogs safe while you’re out on walks, you’re exactly the type of pet sitter we’d like to have on our team at G&G Pets. We encourage serious pet sitters in the San Francisco, CA area to apply today! You can learn more about our currently open positions here.
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