The clocks will fall back next month, and the sun will be going down much earlier. As all dog lovers know, there are many forms of exercise that dogs love, and strolling is one of them. But before you step out with your loved animal companion when the sun is off, you need to consider the challenges of walking your dog during the nighttime and be sure that you prioritize the safety of both of you.

We’ve listed out a few tips to safeguard both you and your loved companion while both of you enjoy your time ambling through the streets.

Gear up Properly

When you step out with your dog during the night, you need to make sure that you and your fur friend are visible to the people driving in the car or riding a motorbike. Sometimes the weather makes it difficult to see things with low or no sunlight. Use light-colored clothes or jackets with reflective fabrics on them. Reflective vests come really handy and enable others to sight you easily in dark. You can buy both human & pet reflective vests from both online and a local store.

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Collars, Leashes and more

Get a reflective collar or a light-up collar that gets illuminated during the night. You can even use reflective tape on your dog’s non-reflective collar. Reflective leashes and dog harnesses are great tools that make the dog visible at night when the headlight flashes on it. You can buy lights that can be clipped to the leash or attached to the collar and switch them on when you walk out. These tiny lights are specifically designed for this purpose and are easily available.

Avoid Non-familiar Routes

Avoid choosing non-familiar routes when you walk your dog on a leash during the night as there’s always a threat of getting lost if you’re not aware of where the path will lead you to. There are possibilities that you may encounter something unanticipated that can turn into an unpleasant experience for both you and your dog. In contrast, when you walk on the roads you are friendly with, you know what to expect walking your way through with your loved animal, and that serves as a real advantage, especially in non-lit areas.

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Don’t let the focus shift

You need to be vigilant and aware of what’s going around you, especially when you’re out with your dog in the absence of natural light. Hence, it’s necessary that you keep all those distractions away that can divert your attention from your pet. Avoid using cell phones and don’t wear headphones as they can distract you and shift your focus away from the safety of both you and your loved companion.

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Other important tips:
  • Follow traffic rules.
  • Always walk on sidewalks against the traffic.
  • Get your dog tagged.
  • Carry a flashlight or wear a head torch.
  • Keep your cell phone with you.

Conclusion

If you simply follow these tips, you can have a safe and worry-free walking time with your canine companion. You can take your neighbor or a friend along with you to accompany you through the walk.