Walking the dog

• Keep your dog on a ‘tight’ lead

Your dog will appreciate the elasticity of a lead that’s made from an old pair of pantihose. The idea is to knot it at 10-12 cm intervals and create a handle at the end by looping the pantihose and then knotting it.

• Cool him with a wet T-shirt

If you’re feeling the heat, your dog may be too. If you’re walking him on a very hot day, dampen a large (or small, depending on the dog’s size) children’s cotton T-shirt with cool water, wring it dry and fit it over his head, pushing his two front paws through the sleeves. Tie a knot on the side to take up the slack, making sure that the shirt fits comfortably — neither too tight nor too loose. (Check it periodically to make sure it stays that way.) If the shirt dries out after a while, give it a quick spray with water.

• Glow-in-the-dark collar

Even a few regularly spaced strips of reflective tape placed along your dog’s (or cat’s) collar will help drivers to see them if they happen to be out at night or at dusk.

• Plastic bag pooper-scooper

Never throw away plastic shopping bags. Among many other uses they make perfect pooper-scoopers and they’re free. Just stick your hand into the bag, pick up the mess with your gloved hand and turn the bag inside out before tying it off and disposing of it.

• Cardboard cleaning tool

 Cut a section from an empty cereal box to use as a disposable pooper-scooper whenever you walk your dog. Slide it under the pile of dog poo and put both the pile and your scooper directly into a plastic shopping bag. Tie the whole thing up and throw it in the bin.

• Soothe paws with petroleum jelly

Extreme temperatures can damage a dog’s paws during a walk. Hot pavements and freezing paths may irritate your dog’s foot pads, leading to cracking. To soothe his feet and help initiate healing, rub a little petroleum jelly onto his paws. Before he comes back into the house wipe any excess off his paws so that he won’t track it onto the carpet or upholstery.