7 Gifts to Celebrate National Dog Walker Appreciation Day

When travel, illness, or physical limitations keep pet guardians from making their dogs’ appointed rounds, professional dog walkers come to the rescue. Celebrated annually on September 8th, National Dog Walker Appreciation Day is a dandy time to express your gratitude to the person who is there for your pup day in and day out. Although he wasn’t the first person to walk dogs professionally, Jim Buck (1931-2013) is credited with establishing the first professional dog-walking business in the U.S., in New York City, circa 1960. Today, dog-walking businesses are common in both large cities and smaller towns, and dedicated dog walkers brave all kinds of weather to care for their canine clients. National Dog Walker Appreciation Day is the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation to the person who cares for your dog when you can’t. Continue reading to discover seven gifts that will put a spring in your dog walker’s step.

1. Made-to-Order Coffee Mug

This coffee mug from The Really Nice Mugs is the perfect gift for the coffee-drinking dog walker in your life. The mug features a white silhouette of a person walking a dog against a vibrantly-colored background. Available in 11, 15, or 20-ounce versions, the ceramic mug may be customized to your specifications with five color combinations. These coffee cups are made to order instead of in bulk, which eliminates the associated waste of overproduction, so you can feel good about your purchase. See what The Really Nice Mugs has to offer, including this one for the dog walker in your life, $15.74-$21.74.

2. Punny Tee Shirt

“Sit happens when you’re a dog walker,” according to this fun tee-shirt from Sunny Life Apparel. Available in seven colors and an array of styles (props for having women’s tees), these shirts are made-to-order, allowing you to choose the most suitable styles and colors. Whether you’re shopping for short sleeves, long sleeves, men’s, women’s, children’s shirts, or even hoodies, Sunny Life Apparel has what you’re looking for. Check out their Sit Happens tee/hoodie, $24.99-$52.99, as well as their other pawsome dog walker shirts.

3. Customizable Keychain

This stainless steel keychain from Sa Jolie in Houston, Texas, sports the silhouette of a dog walker and two dogs. Personalize the keychain with the addition of a delicate initial charm. The dog walker charm measures 0.8 X 0.8 inches square. This item is perfect for dog walkers who need to let themselves in and out of your home when you’re not there. Sa Jolie‘s dog walker charm is $21.

4. Foot Massager

While the job has many appealing aspects, from fresh air and flexible hours to tail-wagging clientele, the physical demands of being a dog walker are significant. Daily, repetitive walking can lead to injuries and wear and tear on the body, especially the feet. Show your walker a little love with this vibrating foot roller from Gaiam. This compact massager combines a textured, ergonomic roller with vibrations to provide deep-tissue massage. The unit requires two AAA batteries and can provide relief to tired feet in as little as 4 to 6 minutes. The Gaiam vibrating foot roller, $19.98, is the gift that keeps on giving relief.

5. Reflective Light-Up Safety Vest

A light-up reflective vest is an excellent gift to improve the safety of your dog walker, enhancing their visibility in low-light conditions. Combining two-inch reflective tape, which is effective when hit with light, and 16 active LED lights, which are visible without an external light source, the ULine Reflective Light-up Safety Vest provides an additional layer of safety for walking at dawn, dusk, or night. The vest is made of breathable nylon mesh, uses two AA batteries, and is one-size-fits-all. Available at Uline, the reflective safety vest is $19 when ordered singly, with discounts for bulk orders.

6. Dog Walker Kit

Surprise your favorite dog walker with this dog walker kit from GaiaAsana. This thoughtful gift includes a matching treat pouch, a poop bag dispenser, and a roll of poop bags. You can add a clicker or a brass dog whistle to the kit for an additional charge. This practical gift, $21.16 and up, will not only make your dog walker feel appreciated but will also be useful in their daily routine.

7. Dog Pawsonality Test

Dog Pawsonality Test: What our canine friends are really thinking, by Alison Davies, can help dog walkers understand what’s going on inside the minds of their furry charges. The book consists of nine fun and easy-to-score personality tests. The tests contain 81 multiple-choice questions that help determine a dog’s personality type: adaptable, dominant, extroverted, introverted, independent, or well-balanced. The book is available at multiple online sites, including Barnes and Noble ($14 hardcover / $12.99 ebook).