Mary Allen
Winter is not only cold but also the dark season. We often leave the house in the dark in the morning and return in the evening. This also means that daily walks with the dog often take place in the dark, which of course means that a few things must be observed to protect the pet from potential hazards.
Preparation Instead of Stress
People are less able to navigate in the dark – not surprising because the view is clearly limited and many do not feel particularly comfortable in a small “angle”. What, however, should be borne in mind: Of course, the dog does not avoid this nauseating feeling.
Try to look forward to walking in the dark to relieve general stress. Of course, you should only choose the paths that you know well and are comfortable for you, because this can also confuse owners and animals. It is best to keep your dog on a leash unless it is 100 percent accessible and always close to you anyway. The risk that the fur nose will pick up something and run away is too great. It’s not ideal in light but can quickly become a real problem in the dark.
If you are going to walk your route on a busy street without a sidewalk, you should always run against the direction of travel and lead the dog in the direction where there are no cars. Even crossing the street at night, of course, you should be even more careful. You should also be prepared for the fact that your four-legged friend may get scared when passers-by in long thick coats come out of the darkness with a scarf and a hat.
Right Equipment in the Dark
The correct equipment is also important for the people around you to see the person and the dog in the dark. You must make sure that you and your dog can be seen by other road users. In particular, there are frequent accidents with cyclists because they cannot see the dog in the dark and therefore collide with it – this, of course, is very dangerous for both parties.
In general, glowing dog collars are always recommended – not only so that the dog can see others, but also so that you can keep track of your pet in the dark. A vest or, if very fresh, a reflective coat is also a good choice. If you wish, you can also use blinkers that attach to the collar. But be careful: by blinking, you lose sight of the dog between the lights and you might wonder how far your four-legged friend can go between the turn signals. You should also make sure that blinkers and glowing collars are clearly visible: in dogs with very long coats, light sources can quickly disappear into the coat.