Do you walk your dog in the dark?

Question

Since it will be getting dark in the evenings much sooner in a few weeks I was wondering how many of you walk your dog at night? If so, do you have street lights? I live in a pretty safe neighborhood, but we don't have street lights so it can be pretty dark. She needs to be walked and I walk her in the morning now before it gets completely light.

Answer 1

I walk my dog in the dark and there are no streetlights around me. Usually I dont go too far, but I always carry a phone and my neighborhood is pretty suburban. If it seems like a safe place and you know the way around and the traffic patterns, walking in the dark shouldn't be such a huge danger.

Answer 2

If I knew the neighborhood and felt it was safe, I would not be afraid to walk a dog in the dark. After all, most attackers do not want to take on a dog!
Bring a flashlight and your cell phone along and don't leave the sidewalk. Walk your dog by 9 p.m. and you should be fine. Maybe you can find a neighbor who also walks a dog to go out with.

Answer 3

I do all the time. If you don't have sidewalks then take a flashlight with you and keep it pointed on your dog, especially if it is a small or dark coloured animal. There are also tags that flash pulses of light in various colours every couple seconds to help make your dog more visible. They can be disorienting to some dogs but they're usually pretty cheap so it doesn't hurt to try them if you're going to make a habit of walking after dark or before sun-up.

Answer 4

Yes, I walk my dog in the dark. By the time I get home from work now it is already dark -- we have a couple of street lights on my street, but not many and only on one side of the street. Not the safest neighborhood, so I always carry mase with me.

Answer 5

Yes, but I bring a flashlight so that cars can see me, and a phone in case of an emergency. I walk him in a secure and quiet neighborhood. I see a lot of other people in my neighborhood doing the same. A dog needs its exercise, and a lot of people don't get out of work until 5 anyways. By then it's already dark.

Answer 6

I don't generally walk my dog(s) in the dark, however I don't see a problem with it.
Dogs are a pretty organized species; they like to "plan ahead" and know what's up. If you walk your dog at generally (not exactly of course) the same time everyday, and you're planning on changing it..she'll probably get pretty ticked off.

I'd suggest walking her about 2 hours before bedtime, (say bedtime's ten? walk her at about 8) because walking can unwind the dog. The reason I don't suggest after 2 hours; walking can also 'hype' the dogs up...if you walked her a half hour before bedtime, and expected her to go to bed in a half hour..forget it! They need time for their actual tiredness to kick in.
If you're a woman, I would suggest gradually changing her tiime to a li'l earlier, so you don't have to risk your safety.

To change the bedtime, do it gradually like fifteen minutes earlier everyday until it's up to the time you'd like.

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Answer 7

I always walk my dogs in the dark. I have a condition that really doesn't allow me out during daylight hours. NO! I'm NOT a vampire! I have Lupus.

Anyway, I live in a very small town and it is pretty safe to be out at night. I always carry pepper spray and my cell phone just in case.

Answer 8

You don't say how big the dog is... I had a German Shepard and she walked me... didn't matter day or night... On the other hand my little shih tzu I have now would not scare anyone, so mace, a flashlight and cell phone as the other person said would be great ideas.... oh yeah, add a whistle that hangs around your neck ..... they also make alarm devices that you can probably find in stores that sell sporting goods... I had one when I used to walk at night. Great device. Christmas is coming ... if you can't afford one now, put it on your christmas list.
~jennifer

Answer 9

Alot depends on the dog. Does he or she need that second walk and how safe does the dog make you feel. I live in a pretty bad neighborhood but, I feel pretty safe with my dog

Answer 10

I do. but I also have a 91 lb Doberman so I feel relatively safe. But the problem is that he is dark so I make him wear a reflective collar and vest. You can purchase a light up blinker at the pet store as well. Just make sure you keep safety in mind, drivers may find it hard to see you and your dog.