International Walk Your Dog Month

January is 'International Walk Your Dog Month' so get up off the sofa and start walking off those festive treats! The benefits of walking on both your physical and mental health are well documented, but it is also an absolutely essential part of your dog’s wellbeing. Dogs need physical exercise every day as well as the mental stimulation it provides. Even on cold or wet days a short ‘sniff’ walk around the block makes a big difference.

In terms of your own wellbeing, walking your dog is a great antidote to the misery of covid restrictions. Not only are you able to get out of the house and get some fresh air and exercise, but you can meet other walkers. As long as you follow the rules and keep a safe distance it is lovely just to be able to pass the time of day with another human! Humans and dogs are social animals. Just a small amount of daily contact in this way is really rewarding.

There’s nothing I love more than going out for a walk with my dog Freddie. He’s rather accident-prone though and is the reason I got involved with Dog First Aid. I would definitely advise all dog owners and walkers to carry a first aid kit with them and also to have the knowledge of what to do in an emergency. Freddie was a street dog before coming to us and will eat anything he can find, however unsuitable! Whether it’s choking, poisoning or any other emergency, it’s important to know what to do and to be able to act quickly.

Make it a New Year’s resolution to get out and about more with your furry friend and be secure in the knowledge that you are prepared for any mishap. To help you think about what you might find useful here’s a list of what I take with me in my first aid kit when I’m out with Freddie:

• The Dog First Aid essentials pouch. Includes: A pair of gloves, a bandage, a dressing pad and a pod of saline solution. I have added to this:
• A list of useful phone numbers and Freddie’s ‘normal’ vital signs.
• A foil blanket in case of shock and also to help me to carry/drag Freddie if necessary.
• Long plastic tweezers for choking/thorns/splinters.
• Microporous tape to help secure bandaging in place.
• An extra length of bandaging to use as a muzzle.
• I also carry a squeaky toy to be able to use as a distraction in a fight or as emergency recall.

These additional items (except the toy) are all included in the Dog First Aid larger first aid kits.