For lots of us, walking our dogs is one of the best activities we can get involved in with our canine companions. It’s a great way to get to know your local area, be amongst nature and discover new haunts.

But for some dogs and their humans, going on a new walk can be a bit stressful. There’s the risk of getting lost, meeting livestock or wildlife, encountering busy roads or more.

Luckily, with our top tips, it doesn’t need to be stressful. Whether you’re planning a new local walk or a big hike on holiday, you’ll be ready to step out with confidence.

Check your route

Before embarking (pun intended) on your walk, check out your intended route on a map. Make sure there is a public right of way (usually a marked footpath) for your entire route and that your dog can handle the distance. Look for any obstacles or steep terrain that may prove tricky for your pup.

Dress for the occasion

As with any walk, make sure you and your pup are kitted out for the occasion. If you’re planning a big hike, opt for sturdy walking boots for you and a lightweight harness for your pup. If it’s likely to be muddy, wear your wellies!

Pop their PitPat GPS on their collar

If it’s not already on their collar, don’t forget to pop your pup’s PitPat GPS (with a full charge) on their collar. Not only will it give you the peace of mind that you can find them if they run off, but it’ll tell you exactly how much exercise they’re getting on that walk, so you can make sure they’ve earnt that extra treat today.

Pack a bag

If you’re going on a longer walk than usual, pack a bag with all the essentials, like water and snacks for you and your pup, and maybe even some toys to make sure the walk is really fun for them.

Charge your phone

Make sure your phone is fully charged before you set out so you can check maps, call home and use the PitPat app to track your dog in case they go missing.

Know when it’s safe to be off lead

On your usual haunts, you automatically know when to pop your dog back on their lead to keep them safe. On new walks, you need to be extra vigilant and pop your dog on a lead if there is traffic, livestock, wildlife, or hazardous terrain like cliff edges. Even so, there are often areas on many walks when it’s safe and appropriate for your dog to be off the lead – just make sure they’ve got great recall since you don’t want to use the ‘Find my dog’ feature on their PitPat GPS unless you have to!

Finding new walks can be super fun for you and your dog, but there’s always going to be a small worry about what happens if they run off. With a PitPat GPS, there’s no need to fret. If they ever do disappear (and we hope they don’t!), you’ll be able to track them down in no time, even in an area you don’t know so well.

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