Professional Tips for a Successful Outing

As a professional dog trainer, being prepared is part of daily success. A dog is not a mystery to me; I have a deep understanding of their behavior, reactions, and needs. While it is impossible to prepare for everything, I can certainly prepare for a nice day outing for fitness, even in our rainy Washington spring weather!

Handler Gear

To ensure comfort and functionality throughout the day, I recommend wearing rain pants and a jacket that are preferably lightweight and breathable. For temperatures under 50 degrees, a hat that can be easily stuffed in a pocket when you get warm is ideal. Moisture-wicking fitness or hiking clothing that moves with you is essential. I prefer abrasion-resistant and water-resistant clothing, as it allows me to remain dog hair-free and to wipe slobber off easily, which is especially useful during April showers.

In my handler day pack for the day, I include:

• Protein-based food snacks
• One-liter water bladder
• Fingerless gloves
• Rubber grip gloves for better line handling of large strong dogs
• Weights (black sand weights) - I use 4 and 6-pound weights in my backpack, with each black sand weight being 2 pounds

Dog Gear

For your dog, the right gear is equally important. I use a dog pack by One Tigris, which includes:

• One collapsible bowl
• Two 0.6-liter bladders for the dog packs
• The dog's meal in a Ziplock bag
• Weights (2, 4, or 6 pounds) - these are suitable for an average baseline fit dog weighing 55 pounds or more
• Leash 4 feet on dog
• One basket muzzle on dog
• E collar on dog

Throughout the day, we spend our time moving with our fitness weight packs on. When hunger strikes, we sit down, relax, and enjoy a meal together. This routine ensures that both you and your dog remain active, hydrated, and well-nourished during your fitness outing.

By following these preparation steps, you can ensure a successful and enjoyable all-day fitness outing with your dog, even in less-than-ideal weather conditions.