Nighttime Dog Walking Safety Tips
If you plan on walking your dog at night or in inclement weather, it is important that both you and your canine stand out to drivers. It is
most difficult to be seen during dusk and dawn, it is at these times you will want to make yourself and your dog a bit more visible. One of
the best ways to do this is by wearing reflective clothing such as a reflective running vest and by considering some sort of reflective
clothing for your pooch. A reflective collar and/or leash will make it easier to be seen by drivers.
Make sure that the leash you are using is the right size for your dog. Keeping your dog on
his/her leash will give you more control should your dog want to take off after something.
If you plan on walking in an area that doesn’t have any light source then wearable LED
lights are a must. You can also find LED collars and leashes which means your dog will
be visible no matter what.
Too often we only think about our dog’s
comfort and forget about our own. When your
feet hurt, your whole body hurts so take care
of those feet and let your dog enjoy his/her
walk.
Always walk on the left side of the
street, this allows you visibility to
what’s coming your way. If you need
to move off the road then you can see
to do so. Unfortunately, drivers get
distracted and may not see you in
time.
Hot outside? Cold outside? No
matter the weather make
sure both you and your dog
are dressed appropriately.
Use sidewalks when available.
Basic pedestrian safety,
sidewalks are there for a reason.
USE THEM!
Especially during the winter months, it
gets dark sooner so bring along a
flashlight in case your walk goes a little
longer than planned. A flashlight will
also come in handy for finding your
dog’s droppings for pick-up.
Darkness can bring out a whole new breed
of creatures, be prepared. It can be
particularly disturbing when you hear
something rustling in the distance. Training
your dog with a simple command can cue
them in that it’s time to turn around.
Be smart about the path you choose to
take when going for a walk with your dog.
Taking dark backroads may not be a good
idea for nighttime walks but better suited
for daylight afternoon walks.
Things happen! That’s why it is important for your dog to have an identification tag, just in case
he/she does pull loose from the leash or jerks out of your hands.
When it comes to reflective leashes and collars, keep in mind that
all of them are not created equal. Leashes that have reflective
material on both sides instead of just one will create more visibility
with the leash shining on both sides. No matter the reflective piece
of clothing, keep in mind that a light source is required for the
reflective material to work so if you will be walking on an unlit trail
without oncoming headlights these will do you no good. Wearable
LED lights are recommended for those types of walks.
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