For many dog owners, a daily walk is more than just exercise — it’s a moment of connection, adventure, and joy with your four-legged best friend. At Poochella, we believe those moments should also be safe, comfortable, and kind to the planet. And a little style never hurts!
Whether you’re strolling through the park, exploring woodland trails, or grabbing a coffee at a dog friendly cafe, here are six simple ways to elevate your dog’s walk while making more thoughtful choices for the environment.
#1 Choose a Comfortable, Well-Fitted Harness
A well-designed harness is one of the most important pieces of equipment for your dog. Unlike collars, harnesses distribute pressure more evenly across your dog’s body, making walks safer and more comfortable.
Look for harnesses that:
- Have adjustable straps for a secure fit
- Use breathable, durable materials
- Allow freedom of movement without rubbing
A comfortable harness means happier walks for both you and your pup.
#2 Opt for Quality Over Quantity
It’s well known that fast fashion is harmful to our environment. See this informative article about its impact on our planet https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/
Fast pet accessories are no different. Aside from the environmental impact, cheaply made pet accessories often wear out quickly, resulting in them ending up in landfill and you having to buy products more often. Investing in high-quality products that last longer is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste and save money in the long-term.
Premium materials, strong stitching, and thoughtful design not only look better but also stand up to daily adventures.
On a personal note, I purchased no less than 3 harnesses for my girl Bella when she first came into my life! Not only did they not last, in two cases she wriggled out of them, and we narrowly avoided a dangerous situation. After some research I decided to invest in the Paws & Play Harness Set, designed by a professional dog walker from Nottingham. This was over 3 years ago, and we still use it to this day. Not only has it proved to be safe and comfortable, it still looks fantastic years later! We loved it so much that we decided to include it on our site. Check it out here.
#3 Bring Eco-Friendly Dog Essentials
Being prepared on a walk doesn’t have to mean creating unnecessary waste. Small changes make a big difference over time. Consider carrying:
- Compostable/recycled poo bags: it goes without saying that picking up after your dog is essential, despite the ick factor! We recommend these from Beco. Ancol also do great ones made from recycled plastics, which we will be stocking soon.
- Reusable treat pouches: a great way to add style to your walk! We use this one, which can be used as a treat pouch or a poo bag holder.
- Durable toys instead of disposable ones: if you are a dog parent, you will know that KONG are the gold standard of tough durable toys for pups of all ages and sizes. Their Squeak Air Balls are perfect for a game of fetch whilst on your walkies.
#4 Choose Stylish Accessories
Who says practical can’t also be beautiful? Coordinated harnesses, leads, and accessories allow your dog’s personality to shine while keeping everything functional. It also makes for great photo opps! Check out our Dog Closet collection for stylish quality pieces for your pup, including harnesses, jumpers, coats, bandanas and bow ties!
As much as we love cute dog accessories, don’t think we’ve forgotten about the importance of comfort and style when it comes to the parents! We love this cosy oversized sweatshirt, perfect for an outing with the pooch.
#5 Pack Healthy Treats for Training
Walks are a fantastic opportunity to reinforce good behaviour. Reward your dog for things like loose-lead walking, good recall, or calm behaviour around other dogs.
Choose natural bite size training treats with simple ingredients to keep things healthy. We love these:
· Forthglade Natural Rewards Soft Bite Training Treats
· Natures Menu Freeze Dried 100% Chicken Chunks
· Elkwood Natural Sweet Potato Strips Wrapped in Fish Skin
#6 Make Walks About Connection
The best walks aren’t about distance — they’re about the quality time you spend together. Let your dog sniff, explore, and experience the world. These moments of curiosity and freedom are incredibly enriching for them. To strengthen your connection even more, try doing some training when on your walk. Start off with training your dog not to pull on the lead, to ensure your walks are as relaxing as possible. For extra special play times, take the K9 Recycled Plastic Ball Launcher along with you. Paired with a KONG Squeak Ball, your pup will curl up at your feet in happy exhaustion by the time you get home!
Final Thought
As you can see, dog walking doesn’t have to compromise on style or sustainability! With Poochella, you and your bestie can walk every day with style, comfort and environmental awareness. Need tips to stop your dog pulling on the lead?