5 Safety Tips for Walking Your Dog at Night
Just because it gets dark earlier doesn’t mean the walkies have to stop! Winter can be depressing enough with being stuck inside, especially if you have four legs and are used to getting a walk everyday. As the night creeps up earlier these days, you’ll want to shift your priorities when it comes to taking your pup for a walk when the sun goes down. If you plan on taking a nighttime walk with your best canine friend, consider following these 5 safety tips to make it a more enjoyable and safer experience for all.
1. Be visible. Light up and reflective gear is your best friend when walking at night. You can incorporate this in a vest, jacket or armbands to be more visible to everyone else at night, especially cars. To help your dog be more visible, look into reflective leashes, collars and harnesses.
2. Limit your distractions. That podcast you’ve been dying to listen to will have to wait when it comes to nighttime walks with your dog. It’s essential to be aware of your surroundings white out at night, so keep the headphones off, the earbuds out and your phone in your pocket to keep your focus on what’s around you. You’ll want your ears free to hear any oncoming vehicles, cyclists or other animals that are out and about as well.
3. Stick with the familiar. When walking at night, stay in well-lit and well-known areas with sidewalks or walking paths. It’s best to leave the new adventures for daytime strolls when you have light to linger and explore more. Walking in well-lit areas also improves your ability to see potential hazards such as uneven pavement, broken glass or other animals.
4. Keep your dog on a leash. Even well trained dogs can be unpredictable at times, so it’s best to leave them on a leash while walking at night. You can keep them close to you, redirect when necessary and prevent them from wandering off into the darkness. Having your dog on a leash lets you know where they are while there is less light and also helps to keep them away from the road and oncoming cars.
5. Keep your cell phone charged. In this age of technology, cell phones serve as a great safety device. Making sure you have a fully charged or mostly fully charged phone before leaving for a nighttime walk can be the difference between receiving help and being stranded in some cases. Keep your cell phone on you, but limit how much it distracts you from your surroundings while you walk.
Walks are still an important part of your dog’s exercise despite the days becoming shorter, darker and colder. While walking at night does come with a few added safety precautions, your nighttime walks can be just as fun and enjoyable as your daytime ones.
The daylight may be getting shorter but that doesn’t mean your dog’s walks need to. Keeping up with their exercise and fresh air is an essential part of keeping them healthy, even when the temperatures drop and the sun goes away earlier. That’s why Going Mutts Pet Services is here for you and all of your pet care needs, especially with the transitions from season to season. Our dog walking services don’t end just because of cold weather! Contact us to see how we can help with your dog walking needs this fall and winter.
Sources:
https://www.therapydogs.com/5-safety-tips-for-walking-your-dog-at-night/
