Understand dog behavior in the dark
Despite the fact that dogs can see better in the dark than humans, your furry friend’s behavior may be different at night. Normal objects during the day may be more frightening to your dog at night. Especially warmly-dressed people, who usually also wear a hat and scarf, can scare your dog in the dark. In such cases, your four-legged friend may react by attacking or running away.
Read more about fear in dogs.
Nobody ever expects to have an accident, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared. Place identification and health care cards in your pocket before you head out the door, just in case an emergency occurs.
According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, 6,205 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2019, which accounted for 17% of all traffic fatalities. One way to reduce the likelihood of becoming a statistic is to wear high-visibility safety clothing.
Even if you are taking a path you know well, everything looks different in the dark. That’s why it’s always best to ensure your pathway is illuminated. And since you’ll be holding a leash and, presumably, picking up your dog’s waste, you’ll want to have your hands free to manage all that during your walk. Look online for a runner’s headlamp or light source that clips to your clothing.
But don’t use it while you’re walking. Any text or phone call you receive while you’re walking your dog at night can be answered after you return home safely. Refrain from using earbuds to listen to music, too. You’ll want to be able to hear all the sounds around you — like cyclists or vehicles coming up behind you. Instead, keep your phone in your pocket in case of an emergency so you can call for help.
Look for apparel that is comfortable and easy to get on and off, otherwise you won’t want to wear it. And consider the season. If it’s cold outside, make sure your outerwear has reflective properties or purchase reflective gear large enough to wear over it.
Find food that fits your pet’s needs
Walking your dog in the fall and winter can be challenging. Not only are the temperatures colder and the weather not always pleasant, but it also starts getting darker much earlier. As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, you may find that walking your dog at night is something you cant avoid. While walking with your dog after dark can be a fun adventure, nighttime also brings potential hazards that regular safety practices arent enough to address on their own. Ensure a safe walk for you and your dog by following these tips for dog walking in the evenings.
Dog Safety Tips For Nighttime Dog Walking
Night walking with your dog is challenging and demands safety precautions. In addition to gearing up against the cold, its important to use caution and common sense when walking your dog in the dark— from increasing visibility to getting your pup an LED collar.
Walking at night can be unnerving for anyone and having your pet with you can add to the mix. To help you and your pup stay safe on a dark winter dog walk, the experts at have revealed what you can easily do the next time you head out. Take a look at their advice below…
1. Walking your dog in the dark can be fun but it comes with risks. If you can, try not to walk alone. Ali Smith, founder of Rebarkable, adds: “Walking with others is reassuring, deterring for potential criminals, and means youve got back up if you injure yourself.”
2. Stay safe during late evening walks by always carrying a torch. “Seeing is a great thing, and our dark vision is not that great! A torch is going to make things a lot easier,” Ali adds.
3. Avoid remote routes and stick to well-lit residential areas. “Walk more populated routes, and be aware that local parks often close their gates around sunset. You dont want to get your car locked in the local park and you do want people to be around if anything goes on.”
4. Write down the phone number on your local park gate in case of emergency. This will make it easy to call your ranger or warden if something were to happen.
5. Always make sure someone knows where you are. Ali says: “Whether youre walking alone, letting someone know where youre going and how long youll be is never a bad idea — even in the depths of summer! Sometimes things dont go as planned and having someone as back up is better than having no one.”
6. Visibility contributes to your safety, so its a good idea to wear a hi-vis jacket when walking your dog at night. “If youre road walking, or otherwise, a high vis jacket could be a life saver.”