Part of maximizing a dog’s quality of life is making physical activity a part of their routine. With many dogs already living more sedentary lifestyles, the shorter daylight hours brought by fall create an additional challenge: safely walking our canines at night. Fear not, because in this post we will look at 5 tips to give your dog a nice stroll once darkness falls.
Let There Be Light!
Walking a dog in the dark isn't risky because of all those monsters out there, but because in low light both your visibility is reduced and also the ability of others (particularly drivers) to see you and your dog. Road hazards (hello potholes), uneven terrain, or even puddles can be difficult enough to navigate in full daylight, so let's look at four ways to reduce darkness during your walks:
- Illuminating Your Canine Companion
As with many canine caretakers, our first thought tends to be on the safety of our pooch and ways we can keep him or her safe. Three of the best options for keeping a dog visible during the late evening hours are lit collars, harnesses/vests that offer either their own light or have reflective properties, or a leash designed for visibility in darkness.
- You’re in the Spotlight!
Let's look at some options to keep you in the light. We won’t judge you for throwing a fluorescent collar on, but here are a couple human-centric ideas:
Lit/Reflective Apparel - Often worn by runners pounding the pavement at night, clothes with reflective material will help keep yourself more visible to others in the dark.
Not Just for Miners! - Headlamps, inspired by the lights on miners’ helmets, are popular with night runners and are also great for walking your dog in the dark. Ultra Lumens offers some high end options for hands free illumination!
- Old Faithful
How quickly we forget tried and proven methods for walking safely at night…I mean, who hasn’t debated a parent’s insistence that you carry a flashlight while trick-or-treating? These trusted light sources can also be carried on nightly strolls with your pooch. See Best Buy’s top picks!
- Lit Path
Our fourth tip—though it may not always be possible for canine parents in rural areas—is to find sidewalks that are well lit. For those that don’t have any options nearby, walks on familiar routes void of hazards and traffic can work. Of course, with more illumination on you or your four-legged companion from one of our suggestions above, safety is enhanced!
- Think Outside the Box (Or Inside the Mall)
Now for an idea that may not come to mind right away: mall walking. And no, we’re not saying that you get matching track suits with a group and wait at the mall door for opening time. Not that there is any judgement here of the dedicated mall walkers among us! With mall walking having become a popular option for enclosed, weather protected physical activity, many allow recreational walking with dogs. Of course, canine parents will always need to check their local mall for rules and regulations.
Part of the Quality of Life Equation
Improving the lives of pets is a huge part of RAWZ’s mission. Along with exploring our minimally processed nutrition options, we hope that attention also be placed on your canine’s physical activity and social/mental health as well. The above tips can help keep your dog (and let’s be honest, us as well) in good physical shape.
