25 Thank You Gifts Your Dog Walker Will Really Appreciate

Hiring a dog walker is a necessity for many busy dog owners, so if you've found a good one treat them to a gift to say thanks.

Owning a dog is a wonderful thing, but it also comes with its fair share of responsibilities.

And one of those responsibilities is making sure they get enough exercise and outdoor time to stay strong, healthy, and happy.

Which means morning and evening walks are vital for a dogs well-being.

The problem is we lead such busy lives nowadays that this may not always be practical or possible for us.

So, when this is the case, a good option is to hire a professional dog walker to take on this burden.

But while walking dogs for a living sounds like a cushy little number, it can be bloody hard work, as they have to be up at the crack of dawn in all weathers to take the dogs out.

Then there is the stress of looking after them and keeping them safe as they walk them around, which is especially hard if they walk more than one dog at a time..

And there's the constant cleaning of their car and clothes to try and get rid of that persistent doggy odor that gets everywhere.

So, when you do find someone great to walk your dog that both you and your furry friend love, it's a good idea to keep them sweet.

And you can do that with the occasional gift to say thank you for doing such a good and important job.

So, to give you some ideas I've compiled the following list of gifts for dog walkers that are all useful to them and will make their daily lives easier.

1. Extra Leashes & Collars That Do The Job Well

A dog walker can never have too many leashes or collars, as there will be times where they misplace one and need to have an instant replacement on hand.

And another issue is that dog owners don't always buy very suitable collars and leashes for their dogs.

Which means their dog may be able to slip out from their collar and escape while walking, which is dangerous for them and potentially others.

And using the wrong type of leash may even cause the dog damage if it pulls at their necks as they walk.

So, having some good quality leashes and collars in the car to replace any duff ones will make it much easier and less stressful for both the walker and the dog.

Which means any dog walker will appreciate receiving a new leash and collar as a gift.

So for the leash, I'd recommend the Hurtta weekend warrior leash, as this one is sturdy, reliable, and is designed for daily dog walks.

While for the collar you could go for the If It Barks martingdale collar, as this style of collar is almost impossible to escape from, and also minimises any choking or pulling on the dogs neck.

2. A Dog Body Harness Rather Than A Collar

Some dogs get so excited when out on walkies that they can't help but pull at the leash as you walk them.

Which is a problem, as this can really hurt their necks over time and make it hard for you to control them too, especially if the dog is big and strong.

So, a good solution for someone walking a dog like this is to use a body harness with a front clip rather than a collar when walking them.

As this way they can take the strain off their necks and stay in control more easily.

And the dogs usually find this more comfortable too, especially if they're the type that hates having anything around their neck.

So, buying a dog walker a dog body harness that they can use when walking an unruly dog is another good gift idea for them.

And one that will do the job nicely is the Ruffwear Front Range harness.

As they can adjust it to fit any dog well, it has a padded body and straps that are comfortable to wear, and there's a reflective trim which is handy for visibility on early morning walks.

3. Environmentally Friendly Dog Poop Bags

The worst part about walking dogs is having to pick up their poop after they've done their business.

But this is a fact of life for a dog walker, and something they'll have to get used to quickly.

And when walking a number of dogs regularly, it's inevitable that they'll go through poop bags at the rate of knots.

So, getting them a fresh supply of poop bags, like the ones from Earth Rated. to keep them well stocked is a super useful gift idea. 

And while this isn't the sexiest of gifts, it's one that every single dog walker will appreciate and find helpful. 

As it's amazing how quickly you run out, and you don't want to have to make an emergency dash to the shops on your way to the park.

And why not throw in a couple of bottles of hand sanitiser gel, as this will help them to stay clean and healthy too.

4. A High Visibility Dog Vest

When going out on early morning or late evening walks visibility can be an issue.

And when walking through areas with lots of traffic and people this can be dangerous for your dog even when they're on the leash.

Plus you'll want to be able to keep an eye on them if you let them off the leash too.

So, some gift ideas that can help a dog walker keep the dogs safe in the dark is some reflective clothing, LED collars, or blinking tags.

And an example of this is a reflective dog jacket like the one above from SafetyPup.

As when having one of these in the car they will always have something they can put on the dog to make sure they and others can see them.

5. A Headlamp For Those Dark Early Morning Walks

Another handy gift idea for dog walkers that regularly walk dogs during dark times of the night and morning is a headlamp.

As this will light the pathway in front of them so they can navigate their way and avoid any trips and falls.

While also helping them to keep an eye on any overly eager dogs too.

And using a headlamp means they can keep both hands free to hold leashes or play with the dogs.

So, giving a dog walker one of these is really useful, and one that makes a nice gift is the Black Diamond Spot headlamp.

As this is a waterproof headlamp that shines really brightly (up to 300 lumens) with it's LED bulbs.

However, you can also dim it if that's too much, and there are other handy features for dog walkers such as a flashing light option and a red-light night vision mode.

6. A Gift Card For Their Favourite Coffee Shop

Getting up at the crack of dawn every day is hard enough.

But it's even harder when you also have to muster the energy to be able to walk and look after a number of excited and playful dogs.

So, a strong cup of coffee first thing in the morning and at various intervals during the day can be a dog walkers biggest ally.

But this means they can wrack up the costs over the course of the week and spend far much more on coffee than they'd like to.

So, giving them a gift card for their favourite coffee shop is a brilliant gift idea.

As this way they can pick up their next few cups of coffee guilt-free, and keep their energy levels high enough to be able to do a good job of walking your dog. 

7. Some Mini Treats For Well Behaved Dogs

While training people's dogs isn't in the job description for a dog walker, teaching them how to behave themselves on walks is going to make their life much easier.

But to do this they're going to have to offer the dog little bribes along the way.

As receiving a small treat lets the dog know when they have done something right, and behaviour that is rewarded is reinforced, with the dog wanting to repeat it in future so they can get more treats.

Which means it's always a good idea to carry a pack of doggy treats in your pocket when walking dogs.

So, getting a dog walker a few packs of Zuke's mini-naturals dog treats as a gift will help them keep the dogs under control.

As these are soft, tasty, chewy, and healthy for dogs to eat, while also being the ideal size for a little treat. 

8. A Pouch To Keep Their Doggy Treats In

Keeping dog treats in your pockets is a bit unhygienic for the dogs, and can damage your clothes and make them smell too.

So, having a doggy treat pouch to house these soft treats safely and hassle-free is a far better idea.

And one that makes for a great gift for a dog walker is the Doggone Goods rapid rewards pouch.

As this one has a lining which is good for keeping dog treats in a safe and hygienic way.

And there's a magnetic fastener that they can open and close easily one-handed, meaning they can get to the treats quickly while still holding the leash.

While the adjustable waist strap means they can carry it effortlessly while walking and have easy access to it.

9. A Ball Launcher To Save Their Shoulders

While walking the dogs you'll want to be able to play with them and have some fun too.

As the dogs absolutely love it, as it really helps them to use up some of their boundless energy.

And one of the most popular games when walking your dog is fetch.

However, tossing tennis balls and sticks day after day can tire you out, and is likely to make your shoulder hurt over time.

So, a great gift to get for a dog walker is the Chuckit! ball launcher.

As this allows them to effortlessly launch balls far into the distance for the dogs to chase and bring back, without causing them any pain.

So, they'll definitely appreciate it if they don't already have one, and their shoulders and arms will feel much better too.

10. A Dog Water Bottle To Keep Them Hydrated

11. A Water Bottle For The Dog Walker

12. A Lightweight Backpack For All Their Stuff

As you can probably tell by now, a dog walker will have to carry a few things with them on their walks.

Because spare leashes and collars, balls and toys, water bottles, treats, and reflective lights and clothing may all be needed at some point.

So, the next gift idea is to get them a small backpack where they can easily keep and carry all this stuff.

And one that is ideal for this is the Naturehike rainproof lightweight backpack.

As this one is water resistant, easy to carry, and while being small still holds up to 25 liters of capacity inside.

And it has stretchy side pockets which are handy for keeping your water bottles separate from the rest of your stuff.

This bag also shrinks down to fit inside a tiny carry pouch that is small enough to slip inside a coat pocket.

So, it's great for a dog walker to keep on hand when they have more stuff than they can carry.

13. A Vest With Pockets For Their Stuff Instead

Another gift option for a dog walker to keep their stuff safely in is a dog trainer's vest.

Now, these vests obviously don't have as much storage space as a backpack.

But they contain many zippered pockets of varying sizes that are good for holding leashes, collars, treat pouches, phones, and other smaller items.

And it's much easier to wear a vest than carry a backpack around with you on your walks if you can get away with it.

So, something like the Hurtta dog training vest is a solid choice as a gift for a dog walker.

As this one is lightweight and comfortable to wear, water-resistant, breathable, and can be adjusted at the waist and neck to fit them nicely.

And it has 4 zipper pockets on the front of the vest and one large zipper pocket running across the back of it for larger items.

So, a dog walker can stay comfortable and carry their essentials effortlessly with one of these vests.

14. A Good Pair Of Dog Walking Shoes

All that walking everyday is great exercise, but it can also take it's toll on a dog walker's feet and joints if they're not careful.

So, it's really important that they invest in a pair of supportive and comfortable shoes to walk the dogs in.

As not only will this keep their feet happy, it'll take pressure and strain off their lower limbs, helping them to avoid ankle, knee, and lower back pain.

So, getting your dog walker a new pair of walking shoes is a really nice gift idea.

However, it can also be a difficult one, as there are so many options to choose from.

And what is right for them will depend on where they walk the dogs, the weather conditions, and also their personal preferences.

As there are dog walkers that just like to wear an ordinary pair of running shoes such as Asics for their walks.

While others prefer stronger boots and shoes designed especially for hiking, like those in the Keen range.

And for walking in wet and muddy places, a pair of Bogs Boots are the only way to go.

So, if you want to go down this road then perhaps it's a good idea to ask them which type of footwear they'd prefer, rather than just buying and hoping for the best.

15. A Stylish Beanie Hat To Keep Their Head Warm

Taking the dogs for walks on freezing cold winter mornings can be challenging to say the least.

So, why not help your dog walker to keep warm by getting them a beanie hat to wear.

After all, we lose most of our body heat through our heads, so having a warm beanie on will definitely help.

And if you get them a stylish one it'll have the added bonus of helping them to look good too.

Which is handy for when they run into any hot fellow dog walkers!

So, getting them something like the Shinsky beanie by the North Face will keep them warm and happy for sure.

16. A Lightweight Rain Jacket For Unexpected Showers

As well as the cold, the rain also poses a few problems for dog walkers, as this can strike frequently and when they're least expecting it.

Which means they could find themselves soaked through by the end of their walk, which not only feels horrible but can also lead to them catching colds and getting sick more often.

So, a useful gift idea for a dog walker is to get them a lightweight rain jacket to carry around with them.

As this way they can always get out of trouble and stay dry if the heavens open up.

And once again I'd recommend checking out the North Face, as they do many different types of rain jackets for men and women such as the Venture 2, which are comfortable, light, stylish, and effective.

17. A Pet First Aid Kit For Instant Treatment

Keeping dogs safe and protected while out on walks is one of the principle responsibilities of any dog walker.

However, dogs are boisterous and energetic creatures, and no matter how careful you are accidents will happen.

So, it's a good idea to have some supplies on hand for when they do so you can treat an injured dog and patch them up until you can get them to the vets.

Which means a well stocked pet first aid kit, such as the one above, makes for an essential item for any dog walker to have, and is a good gift to give them.

As this contains almost everything they'll need to tend to cuts and minor injuries such as bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes, and saline solution.

18. A Car Seat Harness To Keep Them Safe

Another place where a dog walker will need to keep the dogs safe is in the car.

Because allowing them to roam around freely in the back seat as they drive them to and from the park is dangerous for both of them.

As if there's an accident they can be flung all over the place including through windows.

And when unbuckled they can also distract them while driving, which may force them to take their attention off the road for a vital second.

So, they should use a dog seat belt or harness in the car to keep their dog strapped in and safe.

And one great option that makes for a good gift for a dog walkers car is the Sleepypod iClick dog car seat harness.

As this is a harness worn by the dog that attaches to the car's seat belt to keep them safe and secure on the journey.

And this is the only safety belt or harness that has been rigorously tested by the Pet Safety Center and achieved a good rating.

So, give them and their dogs the gift of safety with a harness like this one.

19. A Car Seat Cover To Protect Their Upholstery

A dog walkers car is bound to get messy as they pick up and transport various dogs to the park throughout the day.

So, it's no surprise to find their back seats full of muddy paw stains, dog hairs, saliva, and claw marks.

And even worse if they have an accident in the back seat or get car sick!

So, a gift idea that can help a dog walker protect their car is a dog car seat cover like the one above by 4Knines.

As this stretches to cover the whole back seat, which will keep any nastiness off their upholstery.

And they can also raise it to cover the back of the two front seats too to keep them clean and stop the dogs from poking their heads through the gap.

Plus being waterproof and non-slip make it good for keeping the dogs safe and comfortable on the journey too.

And it's far easier and less painful for a dog walker to clean this cover every few days, rather than having to clean out their whole car!

20. Pay To Have Their Car Valeted

Speaking of cleaning out their car, this is a real time drain for most dog walkers.

As they'll need to do it regularly to stop their car looking and smelling like a mobile kennel.

Because doggy stains and odors linger long after they've dropped the final dog off for the day.

So, a really great gift idea for your dog walker is to treat them to having their car professionally valeted.

As this way it'll come back sparkling clean and fresh and with no effort, time, or money spent on their part.

Which is absolute bliss ... well, for a few days at least!

21. Bath Bombs To Relax After A Long Day

Walking dogs every day can really take it out of a dog walker physically too.

As they wrack up the steps and miles trying to keep up with a succession of highly energetic and playful mutts.

And this can leave them feeling exhausted after a long day.

So, giving a dog walker something to help them to relax, unwind, and recover from the days stresses can make for a great gift.

And one such gift idea is to get them a set of bath bombs like the ones above by Beauty by Earth.

As a nice, long soak in the tub will be great for relieving their tired muscles and will allow them to really switch off.

And by adding one of these bath bombs, bath times become even more effective.

As they will fizz up in the water and give off scents and salts that are ideal for soothing tired muscles and minds. 

22. An Appropriate Cap To Keep The Sun Off Their Heads

When walking dogs in the summer a baseball cap is great help for a dog walker as it cools them down and keeps the sun out of their eyes.

So these work well for gifts for them, especially those that live in warmer climes.

And one that would be great for a dog walker is the Life Is Good cap above, as it features a subtle image of a dog on the front.

23. A Dog Themed Novelty T-Shirt

T-shirts are simple gifts to give to loved ones and there are plenty of dog-themed t-shirts that would work well for a dog walker.

With my favourite being The Dogfather t-shirt.

As this one will look great on them as they are walking their many dogs around the park.

24. A Coffee Mug To Show Your Appreciation

Coffee mugs are also easy gifts to give and there are many options for dog walkers and lovers alike, featuring funny slogans and images.

So you can pick one out based on your dog walkers personality and sense of humour.

With a good example being the World's Best Dog Walker coffee mug above.

25. Just Give Them The Cash!

As well-intentioned and thoughtful as all the gift ideas for dog walkers are on this list, they would probably still prefer to receive a bit of extra cash as a thank you.

Because this way they can spend it on whatever they want, rather than getting stuff for work.

And a cash bonus is much better for them at times of the year when money may be a bit tighter such as during the holidays.

Plus it's also easier for us too, as you don't need to go to the shops or order and wrap a physical gift.

So, while uninspiring, this can actually be a winner for everyone.

Rounding Up

Dog walkers do a great job of keeping your precious pets healthy, happy, and well exercised when you are too busy to do it yourself.

And as such it's nice to show your appreciation by giving them the occasional thank you gift.

So, I hope you've found something on this list of gift ideas for dog walkers that they'd love to receive.

Because a happy dog walker leads to a happy dog, and having a happy dog will always please any dog owner.