Top tips for walking your dog at night

Walking your dog at night can be a peaceful experience, but it does come with extra challenges that need awareness and planning. The reduced visibility, quieter roads, nocturnal wildlife activity and shadowy environments all change the way you should approach your walks.

During the darker months, taking the right precautions can help to keep both you and your dog safe. We’ve collated this handy list of tips to help you enjoy nighttime walks with your four-legged friends.

Be prepared

• Personal safety – never overlook your own safety. Let someone know your route, keep your phone charged and trust your instincts. If a route feels unsafe or poorly lit, consider choosing a safer alternative or shortening the walk.
• Keeping warm – temperatures can drop sharply after dark. When mixed with wintery rain and snow, small or short-haired breeds, puppies and older dogs may need extra warmth and a waterproof layer to prevent chilling.
• Be seen – visibility is essential during dark walks. Consider reflective collars, harnesses, or LED lights for your dog to ensure they are seen by drivers, cyclists and other pedestrians. For yourself, reflective clothing, armbands, LED wellie bands and torches are equally important. A head torch or handheld torch helps illuminate uneven ground, puddles, debris, or wildlife ahead, reducing the risk of trips or sudden surprises that could spook your dog.

Our online store stocks a range of high visibility doggo rain coats which can be found in small or large.

Walking environments

• Country lane walks – different walking environments present unique challenges that require careful attention, especially at night. Country lanes without lighting or pavements are among the riskiest areas for pedestrians, as drivers may not see you until the last moment. As the popularity of electric vehicles grows, oncoming traffic is often much quieter, leaving less time to notice and react. When roadside walking at night, it is important to stick to the side of the road facing oncoming traffic with your dog on a short lead close to the curb, and wear bright or reflective clothing to remain visible. If possible, rear facing red lights can be attached to the back of clothing to create added visibility from behind.

• Open landscape walks – fields and open countryside may seem like a safer option, but uneven terrain, hidden holes, mud and long grass can cause trips or injuries. Livestock, wildlife, or unexpected scents can also excite or frighten dogs, so carrying a torch to spot hazards and using a shorter lead to maintain control is advisable. When walking in fields with livestock, we advise to always keep dogs on a lead. Recent legislative changes give farmers greater rights to protect livestock from worry and distress caused by dogs, making it important to maintain a respectful distance to avoid causing unnecessary harm to any animal.

• Woodland walks – while woodlands can offer an equally beautiful setting to fields, they are often poorly lit and full of obstacles such as roots, fallen branches and uneven ground. Nighttime activities of wild animals like deer, owls and foxes can startle dogs or trigger their prey drive, so it’s safer to keep them on a lead if they are prone to chasing and / or anxiety. We always recommend carrying a torch to illuminate potential hazards, and in woodland areas it can also be used to check your dog’s paws for ticks or plant burrs.

• Urban walks – town and village areas with pavements are generally safer in terms of traffic visibility, but uneven, slippery or littered pavements can still pose risks. Street lighting helps, but it’s important to stay alert for cars, cyclists, or joggers, which might startle your dog. Urban areas can often be hotspots for human litter such as sharp glass, food wrappers and other waste. Take care to ensure your dog doesn’t pick up harmful items from the ground, and as always use reflective gear and a torch to enhance safety and awareness.

Doggy loo stops

At night, these stops require extra attention. Reduced visibility makes it harder to see hazards like sharp objects, discarded food or toxic plants. Check the area with a torch before allowing your dog to roam and clean up waste promptly to protect the environment and prevent contamination.

It can be tempting to tie up and drop a used poo bag to be collected on the way back from your walk, but we don’t recommend this practice at any time. It poses a significant health risk to pets and wildlife, who may ingest the waste, and during nighttime walks it can be even harder to locate and return to the spot safely in the dark. Instead, make sure you carry plenty of poo bags, so you’re always prepared to clean up after your pooch.

Behaviour and awareness

Dogs can be more alert or anxious at night due to unfamiliar sounds, shadows and scents. Stick to familiar routes where possible, maintain a calm pace, and reinforce lead manners and recall. For nervous dogs, avoid poorly lit or enclosed areas and always be patient and reassuring. For dogs that are food motivated, a pocket full of favourite treats can help keep your four-legged friend calm and focused on you.

We don’t sell treats online, but we do stock the perfect pocket sized treat pouches, which can be found here.

Aftercare

Wet weather adds another layer of risk, as damp coats and muddy paws can lead to discomfort, skin irritation, or infection if not dealt with properly. Once home, take time to thoroughly dry your dog’s paws, legs and coat, checking for mud, debris, ticks, burrs or other signs of irritation. A post walk wash can help to gently warm up a cold pup while keeping coats clean and healthy, especially after a muddy or wet walk.

Our online store stocks a range of dog shampoo bars to support after-walk care, including a vanilla scent and a green apple scent, helping keep your dog clean and comfortable.

With preparation and attention to the environment, nighttime walks can be enjoyable, peaceful and safe. Awareness of your surroundings, your dog’s comfort and the challenges of different terrains ensures a rewarding experience for both of you.

For more winter welfare tips, you may like our blog post on keeping cats and dogs warm in cold weather, which can be read here.

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