With summer gone and autumn creeping its way in, the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. That means your cherished after-work walk or jog with your canine companion will soon be done in darkness. However, with some safety tips and new gadgets, walking your dog at night can be just as fun and rewarding as those long summer nights.
Walk Smart
We all enjoy taking long walks with our dogs. Sometimes we even let the pooch lead the way, trusting that we can eventually find our way home. This game of exploration and wandering can be fun during summertime, but it’s downright dangerous in the dark.
When the sun goes down, stick to familiar trails and streets. Getting lost in the daytime may be a bit stressful, but the situation is much worse when darkness renders familiar landmarks invisible. Make sure you know your route in advance before embarking on your walk. You may have to hold the leash little tighter to keep your dog from exploring, for added safety.
Get Some Gear
There are countless gadgets and accessories that you and your furry friend can use to increase the safety factor of a nighttime walk. If your favorite neighborhood path or trail isn’t well lit, light your own way. Consider wearing an LED headlamp on your walk or jog. Many pet stores even carry a variety of light-up collars and leashes for dogs.
Manufacturers even make glow-in-the-dark and LED fetch toys and balls so you can keep playing your favorite games in the dark. Make sure to use these toys in an open field, far away from roads and traffic.
There are other options for increasing visibility. Consider buying your dog reflective clothing, orange reflector vests come in all shapes and sizes. These vests provide good visibility; a safety must for a nighttime walk.
Play Nice with Traffic
Make yourself and your dog as visible as possible so vehicles can see you at night. It’s important to see and to be seen. The most dangerous type of traffic is the kind you can’t see coming. With this in mind, make sure to always walk your dog against traffic. This tip allows you to anticipate and react to all oncoming vehicles and never be caught from behind.
It’s also important to keep all of your senses sharp, not just your eyesight. Consider ditching your earbuds, at night hearing is even more important than in the daytime. For example, if some irresponsible driver is cruising without his/her lights, you should make sure that you can hear the car coming.
Watch for Wildlife
Be aware, you and your dog are not the only animals out on the prowl when the sun goes down. There are nocturnal animals that your dog may not be familiar with, even in residential neighborhoods. For example, raccoons can be found in most American neighborhoods after dark. These masked scavengers can be defensive when confronted by dogs and are far less jumpy than rabbits or squirrels. Skunks can also be an unwelcome part of your nighttime safari. A curious dog can incite a skunk to defend itself with its built-in stink attack. Not only will this unfortunate event lead to a messy cleanup later, it may be traumatic for the poor dog that got caught in the spray. Keep your pet on a tight leash to ensure that these creatures’ personal space is not violated.
There are species whose danger level is far above mere nuisance. Depending on where you live, it is possible that coyotes are on the prowl. These pack predators are scared and skittish on their own, but once they link up with their friends, you and your dog will be outmatched. It’s best to stay out of their territory entirely once the sun goes down. If you live in a wild area, there may even be wolves or mountain lions stalking the night. Walk smart; stay on residential sidewalks rather than trails where predators might lurk.
Don’t Neglect Your Own Safety
These tips will help keep your dog safe from the nighttime environment, but don’t neglect your own wellbeing. Make sure not to dress in dark clothing, the darker the clothes, the harder it is for traffic to notice. Light colors and reflective clothing are a safety must. If you live in a dangerous area, you might want to consider bringing a friend or two along, especially if your canine companion is not particularly ferocious.
Even though there are many potential dangers you can encounter when walking your dog at night. Follow these tips, stay safe and enjoy some quality time with your pet. With some advanced planning, common-sense safety measures and special gear, you’ll be prepared for anything the night throws at you
