Night Walks with Your Dog: Essential Tips for Safety and Fun

Days get shorter and shorter... making those post-work dog walks far less appealing. But regardless of the darkness, your dog still needs their outdoor time.

Here are our top tips for safely and enjoyably walking your dog at night.

Be Visible When Walking Your Dog at Night

Safety first! Ensure you and your dog are highly visible when walking at night, especially if there are no street lights or if you need to walk along the road.

For your dog, consider a reflective leash, harness, or collar. If you plan to let them off-leash, a light-up collar is a great idea to keep them visible while they explore, particularly in unlit areas or parklands.

LED accessories for dogs offer various colours and lighting modes and can clip onto harnesses or collars.

If you're walking near roads or in rural areas, wearing a reflective vest or jacket yourself can be wise. Vehicles can appear quickly, and while you might see them from a distance, they often spot you at the last moment.

Bring a Light for Your Night Walks

Even though your dog has better night vision than you, a torch can be handy. If you don't have a headtorch—the ultimate night walk accessory—the flashlight on your phone will do the trick.
It helps you spot obstacles and things your dog might be tempted to investigate. Plus, it improves your visibility to vehicles and passers-by.

Leash or No Leash at Night?

In the city or busy areas, it's best to keep your dog on a leash. Even with street lighting, dogs are less visible in the dark.

If you prefer to let your dog off-leash, choose an enclosed area like a dog park, where they're less likely to wander off. Remember that in low light, you might not notice if they're eating something they shouldn't, like bait.

In the countryside or natural areas, it’s generally recommended to keep your dog on a leash to avoid disturbing wildlife, which is often more active at night. Only let your pup off-leash if their recall is excellent and they have an LED or visible accessory.

If in doubt, a long lead can be perfect! It allows them to explore freely without straying too far.

Dress for the Occasion: Winter Walks

Shorter days mean darker and often colder walks! Some dogs won't mind, but others might need an extra layer. This is particularly true for short-haired dogs, and those that are young, old, or unwell.

Wondering if your dog needs an extra layer for cold outings? Check out our winter walking article!

Does Your Dog Enjoy Night Walks?

We make sure to walk our dogs even in the dark... but do they actually enjoy it?

Dogs generally see well at night and aren’t typically afraid of the dark, but they might feel less comfortable in a night-time environment (fewer familiar faces, more strange noises, less activity...).

Watch your dog’s behaviour and body language during your walks. If they seem less relaxed than usual, you might need to tweak your routine. Bringing along other dogs or familiar people can also help them feel more secure.

If night walks aren’t ideal, consider indoor activities! Sniffing games, hide and seek, and trick training can help your pup burn off energy and stay mentally stimulated without venturing into the dark.