There are many benefits to walking dogs for you and your pet. Being a responsible dog owner, you understand that they need daily walks. For canines, getting regular exercise is an important part of their physical and mental health and well-being. But during the colder days, sunsets come earlier, and that cuts into your work schedule and reduces the daylight hours you have available for walks. That forces you to shift walking dogs to after dark. Is walking dogs at night even safe these days?

There are some real dangers to walking dogs at night. You may have recently seen news stories of pedestrians getting hit by vehicles at night, some of them while walking their dogs. It’s a real danger and important
to be aware of. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t ever walk your dog at night, especially if you just don’t have time during the day. There are some things you can do to make it a lot safer for you and your canine friend.

10 Safety Tips for Walking Dogs at Night

There are times you have to choose between walking dogs at night or not taking them for a walk at all. Following these safety tips can help you be safer when you and your canine companions are walking after the sun sets.

1.     Stay on Familiar Routes

Heading outdoors with your dog is sometimes just a good excuse for an adventure! But at night, you’ll want to keep things simpler. This means you should follow a path that both you and your dog know well. This makes it easier for you both to navigate. If it is possible, choose an area near your home that doesn’t have a lot of traffic. Select a route that is basically smooth and doesn’t flood when it rains. Try to stay on sidewalks as much as you can, and don’t ever walk down the middle of a road, even if it’s not a busy one.

2.     Practice Your Routes in the Daytime

If you want to try a new route or you’re new to the area, practice walking it during the daylight hours until it becomes familiar to you and your dog. You will become familiar with potential obstacles, which are usually more dangerous in the dark. Try walking your dog along the path at least a few times at different times of the day. This will help your dog become familiar with the scents along the trail.

3.     Use Safety Gear

Walking dogs at night isn’t the time to make a fashion statement. Go ahead and wear brighter colors, and it’s even better if you can wear a reflective vest. Wearing a headlamp can help you see and make you more noticeable, but make sure to angle them downward so they do not get in the eyes of drivers.

It’s easy to make your dog more visible, too. Something simple like clip-on reflectors attached to their collar, harness, or leash can make a huge difference. If you want to spend a bit more money, consider a light-up collar, a reflective dog vest, or a brightly colored, light-up LED dog leash. Remember that even if you are wearing reflective gear, others may not be able to see your pet without these types of devices.

4.     Always Take Your Phone!

While it’s not safe to text or make calls while walkingdogs, it is still a good idea to carry your phone when you walk at night. You’ll want it on you in case there is an emergency. Even though it seems that there’s not a huge chance of something going wrong, if you or someone else needs assistance, having your phone on you allows you to call for help.

5.     Stay Alert

This is kind of a no-brainer, but it can be easy to get distracted while walking dogs. Always keep your eyes on your dog and the route. This helps you navigate a potential obstacle quickly if one occurs. You will also want to leave any headphones or eabuds at home. You want your night walk to be as distraction-free as possible.

6.     Assume Drivers Cannot See You

Even if you take precautions and wear reflective gear, you have no way of knowing if drivers are being attentive. Depending on your surroundings and the type of vehicle they are driving, you may be harder to see than you realize. Never assume drivers can see you, even if their headlights are right on you. Wrongly assuming a driver can see you is how accidents happen. It pays to be overly cautious.

7.     Use a Shorter Dog Leash

When walking a dog, you want the leash length to be perfect for keeping them from getting themselves into unsafe situations. When it is dark, it’s even more important. Of course, you can wrap the leash around your
hand, which risks injury. You can use a retractable leash, which can break. Instead, just buy a shorter leash, preferably a reflective one, and use it just for your nighttime dog walks.

Of course, it’s good to be reminded that your dog should never be off-leash during walks. It’s risky having them off-leash even in the daytime, but that risk increases dramatically at night.

8.     Stay in Well-Lit Areas

Being able to stay in well-lit areas will depend a lot on where you live. If you have a choice, stay on a route that is well-lit by streetlamps or buildings. Just remember that you will still need to wear your reflective gear. You want to be as visible as possible. Most well-lit areas tend to be along safe pedestrian walkways and sidewalks – and that’s a huge plus!

9.     Check the Weather Before You Go

Your dog needs to be walked every day, but the weather can affect safety. Taking a quick peek at the weather forecast each evening will help you choose the best time for your walks. It’ll also help you decide how long you can be out on the walk. You may want to walk your dog in the rain but follow safety guidelines. However, you should avoid walking in inclement weather like thunderstorms. When you come in, make sure to use all natural Pawer Dog Wipes to keep those paws clean!

10.   Cut it Short if Necessary

Sometimes, unexpected things are going to happen. There’s no way to predict them! Of course, your dog needs to exercise daily, but there will be times when you’ll need to cut a nighttime walk short. Pay close attention to your canine companion’s comfort levels as well as your own. Things like a dog running loose in the neighborhood or a sudden change in the weather can be times when you just need to take it all home early.

About the Author

Hazel, a Border Collie, is our head engineer. He is in charge of developing and testing Pawer Lab’s latest pup-focused inventions. He is passionate about enjoying the little things in life. His hobbies include playing fetch, riding in the car, and chasing the mailman.