As the days get shorter and the nights longer, you often have no choice but to complete your dog walks in the dark. Neither dogs nor owners are particularly thrilled about this.

After all, in the darkness, there are many dangers. Your four-legged friend feels it too. Did you know that dogs perceive oncoming pedestrians or even trash cans as a sudden threat in the dark? We’ll explain what you need to pay attention to during your nighttime walks with your dog. You’ll learn how to ensure safety in the dark, why your dog behaves differently than in daylight, and what the biggest dangers are for you and your dog in the dark.

Walking in the dark – a challenge for both humans and animals

In autumn and winter, walks with dogs in the dark become routine for dog owners. What used to be relaxed walks sometimes turns into a challenging experience for both human and canine. Visibility is reduced, trees, streetlights, and other objects cast eerie shadows, and even rustling leaves suddenly seem eerie.

It’s no wonder that your four-legged friend is much more alert in the dark and processes stimuli differently. Many dogs suddenly perceive oncoming joggers, cyclists, and cars as a threat. Trash cans, benches, and advertising columns are barked or growled at for no apparent reason.

Why does the behavior of dogs change in the dark?

Although dogs can see well and perceive the smallest movements at night, they often perceive darkness as threatening. They orient themselves to their owner. If you walk tensely through the dark neighborhood with your four-legged friend, he senses it. Your dog will either react just as fearfully as you or try to protect you. In either case, a cozy walk is hardly possible. The fear that grips your dog makes him aggressive, insecure, and jumpy.

Getting used to the darkness from puppyhood

Therefore, you should get your four-legged friend used to the darkness from a young age. Crucial: Don’t show your uncertainty. Distract both yourself and your dog with small games during the walk. However, even if you confidently guide him through the dark, you will notice that he behaves differently in certain situations. The reason: Your dog’s perception changes already in twilight, making him more sensitive to moving objects. Even a rabbit or a pedestrian in the distance with a hat and scarf can be recognized by your four-legged friend. So don’t be surprised if he suddenly stops and targets an object in the distance or barks at something you can’t even see.

Darkness and Eyesight – When Older Dogs Feel Uncomfortable Outside

With age, your dog may no longer feel comfortable outdoors. This doesn’t necessarily have to do with joint issues. No, older dogs can still be agile. The problem with walking older dogs in the dark lies in the declining eyesight. Especially senior dogs often suffer from the eye disease cataracts. This is a clouding of the eye lens, limiting your pet’s vision. As a result, his behavior changes, and he struggles with orientation. Your dog may no longer perceive irregularities on the walking path properly and may even injure himself. You must support him and ensure that your furry friend is not entirely on his own during your walk.

How to Ease Your Dog’s Fear of the Dark

If your dog is particularly fearful in the dark, the following steps can often help:

Hazards for Dogs and Owners in the Dark

Have you successfully accustomed your dog to walks in the dark? Great! However, an evening walk significantly differs from a walk in daylight. In the dark, there are several dangers due to reduced visibility, such as cars, cyclists, joggers, tree stumps, and other obstacles on the path, posing an increased risk of accidents.

Not only in the city but also in rural and natural settings, dangers lurk. Therefore, especially dogs with a hunting instinct should be on a leash once dusk sets in. This helps prevent your dog from chasing after a rabbit, leaving you searching for him with a flashlight for hours. Additionally, you can’t see well in the dark what your dog is eating. Hence, it is advisable to keep him close. Conversely, you and your dog pose an increased risk to other road users in the dark. Pedestrians could, for example, trip over a barely visible leash. If your dog unexpectedly appears next to a cyclist, they might fall off their bike in shock. If an accident caused by your dog does occur, dog liability insurance protects you from the costs.

Useful Helpers for Increased Safety in the Dark

Being seen and seeing oncoming individuals is crucial during a walk after sunset. Fortunately, there are many practical tools nowadays that improve visibility and, consequently, safety.

To increase your dog’s visibility, consider the following equipment:

Not only your dog but also you should be clearly visible at night. You can achieve this with:

How to Properly Behave with Your Dog in the Dark

Visibility ensures more safety, but that’s not all. To protect your dog from accidents in the dark, follow a few simple guidelines:

Playing with Your Dog in the Dark

Certainly, you can also play with your four-legged friend in the dark. And not only in your garden but also in well-lit fields. With a long leash and toys that glow in the dark, your dog doesn’t have to miss out on fetching. To ensure that you can also see the toy in the darkness, it is recommended to bring a glowing rope fetch ball, a light-up ball, or a luminous bone on your evening walk.

Turning the Nighttime Walk into a Success

Don’t be unnecessarily worried about a walk in the dark; an evening stroll can be quite enjoyable. While you gaze at the starry sky or admire the Christmas lights in the neighborhood, your dog uses the darkness for some nose work. In the dark, he can perceive the scents of autumn or winter much better.

Guide your dog confidently through the usually dimly lit streets, always keeping an eye on him, and enhance visibility with luminous or reflective elements. With these simple rules, nothing stands in the way of a cozy walk in the darkness.