As the daylight hours grow shorter, many of us find ourselves walking in the dark with our canine companions.

Darkness impairs the senses of ourselves and our canine companions, something that can result in unfortunate accidents. Here are some tips to help keep you and your dogs safe in the dark evenings and early mornings.



For Humans

• Ensure that you are wearing bright clothing.
• Use Reflectors – these are often found on trainers and rucksacks but try to wear at least one obvious reflective item so that you are visible to any oncoming traffic.
• Carry a torch. This will improve your own visibility and make you more obvious to others. A head torch is a great, hands-free alternative.

For Dogs

• Reflective gear – There are many reflective accessories for dogs, including collars, leads, tags and even coats for the chillier evenings.
• LED light tags – these are small plastic tags which can be hung from your dogs collar. They can be switched on and off when necessary and will flash brightly. Most come with batteries which are fairly long-lasting, however some models can also be re-charged by USB.
• LED collars – These are even easier to spot than the flashing tags.  Most can be set to flash on different settings and can be turned on and off as required. When bought from reputable sellers they are safe, waterproof and do not emit heat as they flash. Most can also be recharged via USB. LED leads are also available.

Be aware of your surroundings

• Cars and bikes – Road accidents are one of the biggest dangers during darkness and are much more common when visibility is poor.  Keep your dog on a controlled lead when walking near roads and avoid the use of flexi leads when close to traffic.
• Walk in lit areas wherever possible. This is far safer for both you and your dog. 
• Runners – often face the same difficulties as dog owners when it comes to fitting in exercise. The dark may make them more difficult to spot and subsequently they may startle your dog. We advise you to keep your dog on the lead around runners and cyclists to prevent accidents.
• Other dogs – it can be more difficult to gauge another dog’s behaviour in the dark – for both you and your pet. Try to keep them well within sight at all times and on the lead if they won’t be called away. 
• Hazards on the ground – parks and recreational grounds can often be hosts to lots of dangerous items such as broken glass and other sharp objects. These are difficult to spot in the dark.  Use your torch to try and anticipate any dangers.
• Barbed wire and fences – these are often missed by dogs who are running at speed. Try to stick to areas that you know and places that are well lit.