As winter arrives, so do the dark nights and dark mornings. However lovely it is to come home, pop the fire on and snuggle up under a blanket, if you’re a dog owner and your dog still needs walking, then there’s no chance of that!
They need a walk, and they don’t care that it is dark; they’re used to going for their walk!
Tips On Walking Your Dog At Night
Clothing
Ensure you’re not wearing all dark clothing when walking your dog at night, as this can make it difficult for you to be seen. Add a fluorescent band to your coat to help the cars spot you. Also, you could get your dog to wear a fluorescent dog coat to they can be easily seen too.
Light Up Items
If you’re planning to take your dog to the field to give them a runaround, then you need to be able to see where they are. Their eyesight in the dark is better than ours, so we need a little help seeing them. Some of us might have a deteriorating eyesight, and if that’s you, try toric lenses. Try attaching a light to their collar or harness, we have been trying out Orbiloc Dog Safety Light which has a flashing mode and steady-on. Waterproof and impact-resistant up to 100kg, it won’t stop your dog getting on with his walks. This light can be spotted from a distance of up to 3 miles, so cars will easily be able to see your dog, too.
Only Go To Safe Secure Places
Ensure the places where you let your dog off are safe, and you are aware that they won’t be able to get into trouble or hurt themselves.
Glow In The Dark Toys
If you still want to play fetch but want to keep an eye on the toys, then try glow-in-the-dark toys. Making them a little easier to find in the field when the dog doesn’t want to bring the ball back!
We have been trying some out, but I couldn’t show them to you in the dark, as you wouldn’t see anything! However, these items are great for walking your dog at night, as they are glow-in-the-dark!
Glow In The Dark Frisbee – Zipflight is suitable for both land and water use, a really solid frisbee that I don’t worry about Gus biting and cracking. I had never played frisbee with him before, but after a couple of throws, he thought it was great and ran back with his nose through the middle, covering his eyes a few times.
Chuckit! Max Glow Pro Ball Launcher – The ball launcher throws further and faster, never having to bend down to pick up the slobbery ball again! This feels really good quality and launches the ball so well, Gus approved a lot!
Chuckit Max Glow Erratic Ball – The geometrically shaped Erratic Balls have squared corners which cause them to bounce in every direction when thrown!
Muddy Walks
What comes with the winter, mud, and lots of it! So we end up washing them more often; however, it isn’t great for their coat, so pick a gentle dog wash like the Fluff and Spruce frequent shampoo to give them a quick freshen up.
I hope these tips helped you walk your dog at night, and you enjoy your dark dog walks!
*We were sent a hamper of items for the purpose of this review; however, all words are of my own
6 Comments
I feel so much better walking my dog at night since we got a light for him. He’s quite dark anyway so it makes me so much more comfortable! I have never though about glow in the dark toys though – might give those a go!
Good tips – I don’t have a dog but if I did I definitely wouldn’t fancy walking it in the dark!
Great tips. We don’t have a dog but that collar is genius.
I love the flashing collar!
My little Bichon hates going out in the dark though so we don’t have to worry – he’s a bit of an odd one lol
I do find dog walking during the winter a bit unnerving because of the darkness. These are fab tips!
I never knew you could get glow in the dark dog toys! I don’t walk my dog at night as it is just pitch black down out track and a bit scary, but these would be great if I did.