What does everybody do about walking dogs when it gets dark so early? We have a routine of me out with him for a medium walk and training session in the morning, playtime inthe afternoon and SB walks him for a long walk at night about 7. We may have to change teh time of his evening saunter or invest in light reflective clothing. Any ideas?

for my three i use K9-Lites, they are reflective collars with flashing lights, i also have flashing lites that attach to their existing collars that flash, there are lots of different things you can get, there is a site glowwalkies.co.uk (i think) thay sell reflective capes, leads collars, sashes etc, we got our SAR dog capes and our EOD and Narcotic dog capes from there.
as i can only take them out early morning then when i get in from work about 5 reflective wear is a must,

We too use the K9 lites for the two labs - as we're walking them at night in the dark (no lights on the golf course) we need to see where the little darlings are when they're off lead, so, being girly girls, they look like disco divas with the k9 lites (2 on Gipsy, 3 on Purdy, so we can identify each) on their collars, plus the reflective strips from Ade's old hi-vis vests round their tums! Thor just wears a Hi-vis vest (wants to know when he's going to get his construction helmet;-) ). Last winter of course, Loki was kept on a lead at night and early morning, being an expectant mum, but I suppose she'll want to be a disco queen as well - but at least we can see her white stilettos! Of course, we've got to sort Beau out as well this winter - we'll be able to see Vinnie ok, I think!

Thanks for the suggestions about the lights. ROFL at Thor needing a safety helmet and the white stilettos! Morse wants to be construction worker dancer this week and have sparkles like the girls next week hes so camp hes got a tent on his heid.:D

I'm used to walking my dogs from midnight onwards as i work late...
What i'm looking forward to is seeing how my dobe pup endures the pouring rain in her burberry coat that i picked up in the sales for £5(was £40)..and seeing what she's like with snow...... :)

Pamie

i still walk mine at the same time 8-8:30pm but as they are both white GSD's i can see them in the dark :-D

I cant wait for snow either. :) Its fun watching Morse chase the falling leaves and gazing up the trees after squirrels. Do you meet many folk out after midnight Pam?

hi lorelei,

only folk out when i walk the dogs at night are the usual last one's crawling home from the local pubs....
Roads are usually full of taxi's too..
Really serene in the frosty night's as its peacefull and calm (unless the odd stray cat out strutting the streets and tormenting the neighbours with it's singing)

pamie

PS we had three hours of torential rain and as it was late at night i had no option but to take the dogs out (poor souls) we got soaked through.Had to drag dobe to the corner of the street as she refused to move in her new coat.....Shiddies had coats on but not much help as they got wet in puddles

The dogs all have reflective collars when we are out in the early mornings and I have this extremely unflattering cavers headlamp that straps to my head and lights up the path infront!! But it does mean i can see in front and i can pick up after my dogs in the dark.

Kate

We have all the reflective collars as well but have been talking about getting a 'head light'.

Where did you get yours ?

Lucy

My husband bought one in Millets.
:)

Ours go out at about 9.30pm every night. In the summer I take them in the field, but as soon as it gets dark, I stick to the road - but we have good street lighting here, so no problems. If hubby takes them (which is most nights), he goes in the field in his fluorescent jacket and large powerful torch. Bramble has a light on his collar so hubby knows where he is, but even if he goes off after a fox, he always comes back. Tara is not allowed off as she is very nervous in the dark :) I can look out of my bedroom window and watch the lights moving round the field :D

Daisy

I'm new to reflective wear too as our dobe pup is only 6 months old but also need to go and invest in some. I like the whole disco look but I suspect our neighbourhood will think the devil dog has appeared if Odin appears from the dark field with a red halo around his head and his big grin ;)

Jude

Kate - I too can be seen sporting an attractive headlamp in the winter! Blaze has a reflective velcro collar which just straps over teh existing collar.

If your dog is not used to the dark - or torches and car headlights then bear this in mind - torch light can easily spook your dog and shadows can confuse them - don't sneak up on them , be fairly verbal when you're out, and be aware of other coming towards you. Otherwise you may get a scared dog do something out of character.

Autumn leaves are great fun with them - snow is even better!! But watch out for icey mornings - I've heard many an excited dog breaks a leg on slippery drives. Good luck with the coats - ours just won't wear his - he looks up as if to say 'what do you think I am?' then runs and runs until it falls off. In the heavy rain he actually asks to go home! - even when off lead he gets the lead and pulls us home.

If only Centreparks and the like created something similar for dogs !!!



Nikki

Thanks for the warnings Nikki. I am wondering about a coat for Morse as he is still on the slim side, but reading this will put it off a bit! Our dogs must be in telepathic contact as Morse is exactly the same in the rain. This morning its hissing stair rods so he's refusing to go out and working off energy by playing with the hoover - he used to flee from it too!

Rain - what's rain ????

Daisy (in brown Essex :D )

Ditto, Daisy!
Warwickshire is crispy.
:)

I usually walk my dog after dark as her last walk is at about 11pm. My area can be a bit rough after dark, dodgy people walk through the park so it is better not to be seen. However there is good street lighting on the roads so not a problem.

I guess it is just me but i don't like walking my dogs after dark - i'm a 20 year old girl and i wouldn't feel safe - even though i live in a sleepy old village. I try to avoid the dark if i can help it - although i wouldn't be so bad if there were more street lights and someone to walk with.

I do not think I could get mine to go for a walk at night,they have high jinks in the garden, then sleep wake about 7 p.m. have evening meal then lounge untill 11.00 then out in the garden for 30 mins or so, back in for the night and then we hear nothing from them untill we get up to get grandaughter to school and wake them up about 7.30-8.00a.m.even the pups lazy. We also live on the outskirts of a village with no street lights so I am gratefull they are happy this way.The dogs have there area of the garden and we poop scoop 4 times daily as required