Beat the Heat: How to Stay Safe Walking Your Dog at Night in Summer

If the hot days of summer have disrupted your dog walking routine, then going for a walk at night when temperatures drop may be the solution. Before taking your dog for a walk under the moonlight, however, it's important to understand the different safety precautions that are required when walking at night.

Wear Bright and Reflective Clothes

When heading out for a walk in the dark it's important to make sure that any passing cars can clearly see you. If you have any reflective clothing that's the optimal choice, though if you don't have any you should opt for clothes that are as bright as possible to maximize your visibility when on the walk.

Buy Reflective Gear for Your Dog

Just like it's important for you to be as visible as possible, the same goes for your dog. If anything, it's more important to get some reflective materials on your dogs because they may not understand some of the risks of walking on the road at night the way that you do. There is no shortage of options when choosing reflective gear for your pup. From your dog's harness or collar to the leash you use to walk your dog, adding reflective gear allows any passing headlines to catch on your dog and reflect back to make sure that any approaching cars are well aware of you and your dog and can behave with the appropriate safety measures.

Consider a Light-Up Collar or Tag

Reflective materials are very helpful when staying safe, but an even better option is to choose a piece of doggy wear that produces its own light. In addition to being the best way to ensure that any drivers on the road can clearly see that your dog is walking, they can also be helpful in an emergency. If you lose grip on your leash and your dog runs off, having a blinking light hanging off their collar ensures that you don't have to worry about losing sight of them in the dark. Their light will act like a beacon guiding you to them so that you can safely finish your walk together.

Choose Dark-Friendly Toys

If you have a park near you that you like to take your dog to during the day, you can still make use of it at night. The best way to have fun at the park when the sun has gone down is to pick up some glow-in-the-dark toys , or toys that have internal lights. They make it easy to see the toys so you can have all your usual fun without worrying that you're going to lose a toy if you take your eyes off it to play with a different one.

Never Go Off-Leash Outside an Enclosure

Keeping your dog on a leash when out in public is a good rule to follow all the time, but it becomes especially important when you are taking your dog out for a walk at night. If you have a favorite fenced-in dog park you love to visit you can have a great time in the moonlight, but if there isn't an enclosure you should make sure to keep your dog attached with a leash to avoid the risk of running, as a dog on the loose in the dark can prove quite difficult to locate.

Stay Where You are Familiar

Another key safety tip when walking at night is to stay away from unfamiliar terrain. While going off for a trail walk may be an excellent way to spend a day, doing so at night when visibility is low is a recipe for an accident for you or your dog when you take a bad step on uneven ground you weren't prepared for. Save that trail for tomorrow, and stick to familiar paths or the streets.

Use a Head Lamp

The best way to stay safe when walking in the dark is to illuminate where you are going. While a flashlight, or the flashlight option on your phone, can be used to light your way, a more effective option is to pick up a cheap headlamp. By using a headlamp you can ensure light is on whatever you look at while keeping your hands free to tend to your dog for the duration of your walk.

Always Bring Your Phone

The good news is that one of the absolute best safety measures you can take is likely second-nature to you already -- always keeping your cell phone with you when you take your dog out for a walk at night. In addition to being able to be used as a flashlight when needed, your phone is also a vital safety line in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important if you are going for a trail walk. If an emergency arises, your cell phone ensures that you can contact help promptly, so make sure that you have it and that it is charged before you head out the door.

Taking your dog for a walk under the stars is a beautiful way to enjoy a cool summer night when the days are just a bit too hot. Although it's important to take extra precautions when walking at night in order to stay safe, by keeping these tips in mind you can make your night time walks safe for both you and your dog. Have fun enjoying your next walk in the moonlight!