Dog walking in winter

[justpoppy]

Ok so this might be a daft question but the dogs I’ve had before have been small and could be walked any time of the day so I’m scratching my head over this one.

Our new rescue dog has tonnes of energy and loves nothing more than playing chase with other dogs at the local park. He also needs routine. I take him out first thing in the morning for over an hour and the same again around 5/6ish In the evening. All fine in the summer but how do you do it when it’s pitch dark? This morning I was out at 6 with him in the park before I went to work.

Also, recommendations for warm, waterproof, dog walking clothes/boots. I need to kit myself out for winter walks and hate being cold and wet!

I take mine first thing in the morning and then again in the afternoon before it gets dark.

I don't do after dark - mostly because its hard to motivate myself to leave the house on a winters night!

You can get rechargeable light-up collars.

I have a vast array of waterproof, warm clothing. Waterproof over-trousers are brilliant.

Quality gloves are a must for freezing cold dog walks. Mine are leather with soft lining inside. Lasted ten years and still look good as new.

@tinierclanger

I’ve got myself one of these for winter dog-walks www.regatta.com/collections/heated-jackets/ !

Omg I NEED that coat! Does it come with the battery pack or do you have the buy that separately? I’ve not had a new coat for a few years so can definitely justify it!

@CottageOnTheHill

One more thing to add, I also have dog trackers on their harnesses these ones. We live very rurally though and I always feel safer being able to track any disappearing acts on my phone.

Already got a Tractive. That has a little light on it as well I think.

@LimitIsUp

I take mine first thing in the morning and then again in the afternoon before it gets dark.

I don't do after dark - mostly because its hard to motivate myself to leave the house on a winters night!

Yes this is a problem I foresee too. I frequently get quite severe winter depression hence trying to plan ahead for winter walks.

My dog has a little LED flashing light that attaches to her collar for winter walks and I take a torch. We even have a flashing ball! I take a torch for picking up the poop.

Add that to my list. I didn’t even think of his paws.

They look dead cozy! I’d quite like something like that too.

Quote fail on those last two!

Thanks for all your suggestions. I really didn’t think I’d get many answers to my daft question. We have a consultation with a behaviourist tomorrow so I’ll talk to her about it then as well.

@justpoppy, you do have to buy a battery pack separately but any power bank will do - I already had one knocking around for my previous phone which had terrible battery life so I’m just using that.

Presume WFH partner doesn’t do any dog walks? I do find there’s a lunchtime crowd in our usual spots - often professional dog walkers doing a group walk too - so plenty of playtime if wanted if your DP could fit in a daytime 30 mins.

@NoSquirrels

Presume WFH partner doesn’t do any dog walks? I do find there’s a lunchtime crowd in our usual spots - often professional dog walkers doing a group walk too - so plenty of playtime if wanted if your DP could fit in a daytime 30 mins.

He does take him out. He works from early in the morning so on the day that I’m in London he could do a lunch time walk. He has an aversion to picking up poo though ffs and often uses that as an excuse not to take Ddog for a walk on his own.

He has an aversion to picking up poo

Jeeze - none of us love it

Does anyone have recommendations for collar lights or light-up collars? The things we have tried have all been a bit rubbish.

Aversion to picking up poo! 😂😂😂
He's a bit special isn't he.

@Cruachan, we have these:
www.amazon.co.uk/Illumiseen-LED-Dog-Collar-Rechargeable/dp/B01C39CLUC/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&psc=1&s=pet-supplies&crid=23QGGHY3LFC25&keywords=rechargeable+collar&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFaM0FGS0hCRkRRMkEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2MjY5NTYzRVdCQUIwRU5FR1U5JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2MDE0MDVTS0pUSEVYWkFJMUwmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1631654227&sr=1-1-spons
The only snag is that they last several dog walks and the suddenly die, right in the pitch dark a mile from the nearest illumination. So you have to remember to plug them in regularly.

Ours have done I think 2 winters so far. Good and bright, solidly made. Much better than the crappy ones I've had before.

@Cruachan

Does anyone have recommendations for collar lights or light-up collars? The things we have tried have all been a bit rubbish.

Illuminobi are really good. Handmade by someone who owns dogs himself - they're so bright!

My dog gets a walk early evening otherwise he gets me up overnight to do a poo

Last winter I got a bit more organised, the must haves were decent walking boots and warm/thick socks.

A good and sturdy torch, I got one from an outdoors shop and it's flipping brilliant, can see for miles with it!! Plus it feels weighty enough to bash a baddy over the head with if needed 🤣

A light up collar for the dog, I got one on Amazon that you charge via the laptop and it's brilliant.

I’ve just bought some muck boots, Liberty ones. Been comfy tonight, my first wearing. Warm, waterproof with good soles and they look like leather Chelsea boots. I also have a wide brimmed leather hat, about 10 years old but brilliant for keeping the rain off my head.

This is the light up collar we got PcEoTllar Reflective Dog Collar for Small Medium Large Dogs Durable Soft Dog Collar Padded Nylon Neoprene Adjustable Comfy Basic Dog Collar - Purple - M https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08SJ7KKLS/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcFC48KYVTZTBD060J2BX3??encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Actually think it was this one 🙈 LED Dog Collar Flashing Light Up Dog Collar 100% Waterproof Rechargeable Safety Adjustable Pets Collar Increased Visibility Super Bright for Small Medium Large Dog - Pink - M https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07X9L6SXY/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcSAXGTBYJ0VB1JGJY73Z3

He has an aversion to picking up poo though ffs hmm and often uses that as an excuse not to take Ddog for a walk on his own.

He’ll get over it!

My DH makes the DC pick it up if he’s walking with them too - DC2 doesn’t care and is always equipped with poo bags just in case. They did inform me the other day that ‘The deal is I pick it up and Daddy carries it until the bin’ which possibly I was being played but who knows! DC2 is temperamentally more like DH and not a fan of getting involved.

Tbf, both DH and DC1 are cat not dog people, whereas DC2 and I are definitely more Team Dog. (Strangely, I’m also the only one to deal with cat litter trays etc. however )

If my dd wants to walk the dog (whilst I’m with her) she has to pick up the poo too

She complains every time but I tell her it’s a part of dog ownership

Thanks for all the lights suggestions, will have a look.