Finding daylight hours for your pooch’s daily walks can be tricky over the winter months. You may find yourself leaving for work as the sun rises and coming home after dark. Before you head out for your evening stroll, have a read of our top tips for safety on night walks:
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Choose a familiar route
Finding new walking routes keeps life interesting for you and your pooch, but after dark is not the best time to explore. It is much easier to lose your way in the twilight hours so stick to footpaths that you know well. Reserve those internet searches for ‘dog walks near me’ for the daytime!
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Keep your dog under close control
Your pooch should only be off the lead when they are closely supervised, both for their safety and that of other walkers. Keeping a close eye on your four-legged friend is challenging in the dark so it is better to keep them safely on a lead.
You may be considering a long dog lead to give your pooch a little more freedom. These should only be used when safe to do so and never when you are near a road. A long training lead may suit you and your pooch, such as
Mikki Cotton Web Training Leash for Dogs - Collars & Leads - Accessories - Dogs (petwell.co.uk). Or you could think about using a retractable lead such as
Flexi New Classic Cord for Dogs - Collars & Leads - Accessories - Dogs (petwell.co.uk).
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Wear high visibility clothing
Wearing brightly coloured clothing will make it far easier for car drivers to spot you. Coats with reflective strips are a great idea.
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Use high visibility doggy equipment
High vis is not just for us humans, so why not invest in some reflective ‘clothing’ for your four-legged friend to make sure that they can be easily spotted after dark. Here’s a handy list of suggestions to get you started:
Glowing blue dog collar in the dark
Making sure your dog is visible at night will help to keep them safe from hazards, as well as making them easier to spot if the worst happens and your dog gets lost.
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Carry a torch
A torch is a useful addition to your dog walking kit list, especially if you plan to use routes that are not well lit. Why not buy a head torch? Having your hands free for doggy duties is likely to make dog walks after dark easier – you will have better control of your pooch if you are not fumbling with a hand-held torch, as well as being able to poo pick more easily!
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Check your dog’s collar or harness for wear and tear
Having a secure, well-fitting dog collar or harness and lead is essential at all times, but especially for night-time walkies. If your pooch’s walking attire is looking a bit tired, why not treat them to something new? Take a look at the fantastic range available here:
Dog Collars & Leads | Collars for Dogs | Dog Leads | Petwell
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Make sure your dog’s microchip details are up to date
Making sure that your dog is microchipped and keeping your contact details up to date on the database is super important. As well as being a legal requirement in the UK, it helps ensure your dog can be safely returned to you in the event that they stray.
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Tell someone where you are going
Letting someone know of your intended route is a sensible precaution and remember to take a fully charged mobile phone with you. Even better, invite a dog walking friend on your evening stroll, to keep you and your pooch company. After all, human safety is just as important as dog safety on your night-time walkies.
Taking a few sensible precautions can make dog walks after dark much safer for you and your pooch. For more great pet care advice, check out the
Petwell Blog.
