Smartphone apps and features to keep you safe on dog walks

While walking our canine companions, our own safety and well-being as owners often take second place. With so many potential dangers and reports of pet thefts on the rise, it’s more important than ever to remember that if you’re safe it’s more likely your dog will be too.

To help you enjoy your walks with extra peace of mind, we’ve rounded up the best dog walking safety apps in the UK for 2025, plus handy smartphone features and tips for protecting yourself while out and about.

Why dog walking safety matters

Whether you’re strolling through the park or heading out into the countryside, unexpected situations can happen, from trips and falls to getting lost, or even unwanted attention from strangers.

By using dog walk apps and safety tools, you can:

• Let friends and family know where you are in real time
• Quickly call for help in an emergency
• Find your way if you get disoriented
• Track your dog if they wander off

Best UK apps for dog and owner safety (2025)

The best dog walking safety apps include features that protect you as well as your dog. With so many apps to choose from, it’s important to consider features like live location sharing, pet tracking, emergency alerts, and offline functionality. 
Below are some of our top picks - from pet-oriented tech to general personal safety apps:

What3words

What3words is a simple location finder that’s used by a variety of companies and services, including the police and the RSPCA, to find people or identify locations. The team at what3words has divided the world into three-metre squares, each given a unique three-word address that can be easily found in an emergency.

I found myself using What3words a few months ago when my family and I came across an injured seagull on the beach. I was able to confirm the bird’s location by using the app but as the tide was coming in and it was quite stormy, we managed to catch the gull and take it home until an RSPCA Officer was able to pick him up.

An app like this could be used if you were to lose your dog during a walk, to report something suspicious or get separated from friends while out.

You can download the app via Google Play or the App Store.

Tractive GPS

Tractive is designed for owners who like to give their dogs a bit more freedom but still want full peace of mind on their walks. Paired with a small, lightweight GPS collar, this dog walking app lets you track your dog’s movements in real time, no matter where you are. You can also set virtual “safe zones” that send an immediate notification if your dog strays beyond them. 
It also stores a detailed location history, which can be reassuring after off-lead adventures in large open spaces. It does have the option for you to also share your pet’s live location with friends and family members, but this is only featured in the Premium version.

Life360

Though it’s not exclusive to dog owners, Life360 is one of the most popular personal safety apps in the UK. It lets you share your real-time location with trusted contacts, set up automatic check-ins, and trigger an SOS alert that sends your exact coordinates to your emergency list with one tap. It’s especially useful for solo walkers, allowing friends or family to see your route and know you’ve arrived home safely.

My SOS Family

This app focuses on getting help fast. With the simple tap of a button, it instantly sends an alert and your live location to a group of chosen contacts. Ideal for solo walkers, My SOS Family is designed for situations where every second counts, such as feeling threatened, encountering an aggressive dog, or injuring yourself during a walk.

Joii

Joii is a vet consultation app that has many useful features you can use on a walk - for example, the built-in symptom checker that gives you immediate actionable advice on how to help your dog in the short-term, for example, basic first aid tips. Though not designed to be used in an emergency, it has a function that lets you locate your nearest veterinary practice if you suspect that your dog needs immediate medical attention.

Smartphone features to help you stay safe

You don’t always need to download a new app to boost your safety on dog walks. Some smartphone apps enable location sharing, and there are tools like emergency call shortcuts and ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact sharing to help you in dangerous situations.

Knowing how to use them before you head out means you can act quickly if something goes wrong. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most useful safety features and how to set them up, so you can feel more confident and prepared when heading out for a walk.

Whatsapp live location

If you have WhatsApp on your phone, the app allows you to share your real-time location with a family member, friend or group chat for a specific amount of time. This is a great way to let a trusted individual or contact track your location while you’re out walking with your dog.

You, the sharer, can decide how long to share this information for, ranging from 15 minutes to eight hours and you’re able to stop sharing at any time. This can let people know that you’ve arrived home safely or to call you if something doesn’t seem quite right on the tracking provided.

How to send your Live Location on WhatsApp

1. Open WhatsApp on your device
2. Open an individual or group chat
3. Tap Attach or the paperclip icon
4. Select Location which has a pinpoint icon
5. You might be prompted to decide whether you’d like WhatsApp to have access to your location
6. Click on live location and select the length of time you’d like to share this information for
7. Optionally, add a comment
8. Tap Send and your live location will stop being shared after the selected amount of time

Emergency call shortcuts

Your phone might include an emergency call button on your screen without having to unlock the device in a time of need and urgency. This feature differs between phones and models but usually involves pressing a couple of buttons which then brings up a shortcut onto your screen so that the call can be made.

Learn more about contacting emergency services on Apple devices.
Learn more about using your Samsung device in an emergency. 
Learn more about emergency features on Pixel devices.
Learn more about Huawei emergency features.

Personal safety tips for dog walkers

As well as having these apps and functions on your mobile phone, here are some additional dog walker safety precautions to keep yourself safe along the way. By being prepared and aware, you can relax and enjoy the moment without worrying about “what ifs.”

1. Walk with a friend when possible
   There’s safety in numbers, and walking with a friend, family member, or fellow dog owner reduces your risk if something goes wrong. Some people join local walking groups, rambling clubs, or breed-specific meet-ups to enjoy the social side of dog walking while boosting safety. If you do head out alone, let someone know your planned route and when you expect to be back.
2. Vary your route and timing
   Changing your walk times and locations makes it harder for anyone with bad intentions - such as would-be dog thieves - to predict your routine. Even small changes, like starting in the opposite direction or visiting a different park, can help keep you less predictable.
3. Stay alert to your surroundings
   Keep music or podcasts low, or leave one ear free so you can hear approaching cyclists, vehicles, or other people. Awareness is especially important near roads, in busy parks, or in quieter rural areas. Avoid being glued to your phone — it can make you an easier target for theft and means you’re not fully paying attention to your dog.
4. Stick to safer areas after dark
   If you must walk at night, choose well-lit, busier routes and wear high-visibility or reflective clothing. LED collars, lights, or reflective leads can make both you and your dog more visible to motorists and easier to spot if you’re in distress.
5. Trust your instincts
   If something feels “off”, whether it’s a person acting strangely, a slow-moving vehicle, or an unfamiliar area that makes you uneasy, don’t ignore your gut. Move to a busier spot or head home. Personal alarms, carried somewhere you can grab quickly, can be useful for attracting attention in an emergency.
6. Be prepared for the unexpected
   Carry essentials like cash or a payment card, a whistle, and basic first aid supplies for both you and your dog. It’s always a good idea to carry a lightweight waterproof jacket with you too in case the weather changes.

Essential dog walker safety gear

Below, we share some simple bits of kit that can give you peace of mind and help in a crisis when you’re on a walk with your canine companion:

• High-visibility clothing for you and your dog, especially in low light
• Personal alarm to deter threats
• Anti-theft dog lead with a reinforced core
• Head torch for evening walks
• Compact first-aid kit for minor scrapes (yours or your dog’s)

Final thoughts

With a few smart tools and habits, you can make your walks safer and more enjoyable. The best dog walking apps don’t just protect your pet, they help protect you too, whether that’s through GPS tracking, emergency alerts, or safe route planning. Combine these with the right gear and some common-sense precautions, and you’ll be confident every time you head out the door.

Related resources 

Tips to prevent dog theft
How cold is too cold for dog walks? 
All Dog Advice