January Dog Walks: How to Stay Motivated When It’s Cold, Wet and Muddy

The door moment

January has a very specific sound. The rain tapping the kitchen window, the lead jingling, your dog doing that hopeful little stare that says, We are going out, obviously. And you, in socks, thinking, 'Do we really have to?'

To be honest, this is where most winter walks are won or lost. Not on the muddy path. Not in the sideways drizzle. It is right there by the door, when everything feels like a faff and the sofa looks like a life choice.

So I try to make the door moment easier. Not heroic. Just easier.

Short walks count. Really

There is a funny pressure in January to be brilliant at everything. New year, new you, new routines. Meanwhile, the dog is perfectly happy with a sniff, a pootle, and a bit of gossip with the local lamppost.

On grim days, I go for shorter, more regular loops. Ten minutes can be plenty if you let the dog mooch and use their nose. You get fresh air, your dog gets their news, and you both come back looking slightly windswept but oddly pleased with yourselves. It still counts. It still counts.

If motivation is wobbling, I give the walk a tiny mission. Post a letter. Walk to the end of the street and back. Find one good stick. It sounds daft, but it works.

Layering without the drama

Warmth is the secret, not willpower. I always regret it when I dress for “I will be fine” rather than “I want to be comfortable”. A base layer you actually like, a jumper that feels cosy, and a coat with pockets you can find without looking. Gloves too. Cold fingers ruin everything.

For dogs, a simple coat can make a big difference, especially for the sleek ones who come back shivering and offended. If your dog hates clothing, fair enough. Some do. But if they will tolerate a snug layer, you might notice they walk with more bounce and less hurry.

Also, accept that you will get muddy. It is January. Mud is the theme.

The muddy bit nobody talks about

Here is the part that always used to annoy me. You pick up, you tie the bag, and then you carry it. For the rest of the walk. Swinging. Smelling. Making you hold your hand away from your body like you are starring in a very low budget period drama.

A hands free solution genuinely changes the mood. The Poo-ch Pouch clips onto a lead or belt and keeps full poo bags tucked away so you can get on with the walk and keep both hands for leads, pockets, or that emergency ear scratch. It is made from recycled plastic bottles too, which I like, and it wipes clean after a properly soggy outing. Plus, it comes in colours and patterns that feel a bit cheerful, even when the sky is doing its grey thing again.

And yes, it makes the whole walk feel lighter. Less stress, less juggling, less awkwardness. Just you and the dog, getting it done.

If you want to make January feel a bit more doable, have a look at dog winter walks.