do you walk your dog in the dark?

[MrsLargeEmbodied]

my dm is always so shocked that anyone walks their dog in the dark
very strange.
she has had dogs but i guess she got home earlier enough not to have to walk her dog

Rarely walk ours after dark, he's more on edge and it can tip over into reactivity. I would never worry about any one with nefarious intentions in the evening because of said reactivity! But I just don't enjoy walking him then as much as need to be constantly observant so i can move him away from things he might deem scary.

I walk ours every morning at about 6:30am, it's normally getting lighter by the time we're on our way home, so he can have a run around off lead in the park. Then in the evenings he gets a walk around the streets, unless DH takes him out to the park for another run around. He's got a light up collar (£5, B&M), I've got a head torch, we both have reflective strips on. I feel pretty safe, but I wouldn't go through the woods in the dark. Not for fear of being attacked, more fear of falling over things in the woods.

DH walks ours as 5.30am so it's dark this time of year then again at 5.00pm when he gets in so yes, not so much off lead though unless it's the weekend, and light.

Yes definitely, not much choice when I work until 5pm! Ddog has a light collar and I take a torch, I won't go anywhere too remote.

I prefer the summer tbh!

Nope. Too risky in case of being assaulted. DH does 6am walk, I do afternoon one. He will also do 5pm one when it's dark.

Yes why would you not take a dog in the dark? It’s bizarre it gets dark about 4.30pm! I always take My dog out for a run between 6pm / 7pm it’s nice and quiet and he can go off lead on the trail we use. He is reactive so it’s much nicer to go when there’s not loads of dogs around. I’ve taken him at 11pm before if we’ve been out as I feel guilty If he doesn’t get a decent walk. I live in a city too never feel worried about walking my dog it’s much safer than walking alone

How are you picking up after them if you’re not close by to watch … ?

I guess it depends on where you live, how dangerous it is and what your personal history is.

I walk mine in the dark but I live in a low crime area, have no experience of stranger assault and also have a large breed who is alert to strangers when on lead in the dark. Perhaps I’d be less relaxed if I lived in a higher risk neighbourhood and/or had been attacked in the past.

Last walk about 10.00/10.30 for ours, so always in the dark in the winter - usually another dark walk too late afternoon/early evening, depending on whether day has allowed to get them out in daylight or not.

Yep, love a night time walk.
we live on the edge of a very safe village so I walk up the hill - no street lights and it’s rare to see a car or another person!
I am quite wary of meeting a badger though … 🦡

All the time. Even in summer as I quite like going for a late night wander.

Occasionally I take her for a quick walk round the block. Sometimes I take her out for an off lead run around in open countryside but I get a bit nervous about not being able to see her. Keep meaning to get one of those light up collars.

I don't take him in the dark because, frankly, I CBA to go back out after a full day at work and walk him, lol.

He gets plenty of daytime exercise. I take him to work with me and he gets a couple of hours through the day. He doesn't need (or want) and evening walk - he'd rather curl up and sleep!

Two dogs,and yes, often DH and I will have one each.street walk, round village,he has a head torch,I have a very bright torch, because of uneven pavements, some roads no pavement,and little dog has cataracts. Gets dark at 4,and stays dark till 8 atm

I do a street walk in the winter months if it's not frosty or icy. She gets an off lead walk through the fields in the daytime. I have sometimes felt a bit uneasy, but that's mainly when she decides she has seen or heard something and keeps stopping and looking behind us😳That said, I do like an evening all. It's nice and quiet and this time of year I get to nosey at other peoples Christmas decorations

I’m not sure of the crime levels but it’s a hugely populated city . I used to run on my own in the dark though so don’t really think twice about taking the dog. My dog is a whippet not protective at all he would probably lick any perpetrator to death but they don’t know that ! I enjoy our evening runs together it’s peaceful. I think it depends on people’s lifestyles and dog behaviour. Happy New years to all.

No, because they have an early morning walk and an early afternoon walk. They don't need more than two walks a day - particularly since their walks are off lead country walks

Yes, every night at about 6.30pm.

She has one 'big' early afternoon walk off lead and then a 25 minute strut round the streets in the evening.

We've realised that a morning walk just doesn't work - she gets up at 7, breakfast at 7.30 then is happy to wander around for an hour or so whilst everyone is in the morning rush of getting ready - then she naps away most of the morning from 9-11.30.

Yes, before bed of course

I don't but street lighting is not good around here. DH Will sometimes take her for a late night round the block though.

yes, usually along local pavements. Don’t want him afraid of the dark.

I would but DDog doesn't like the dark!

Yes - off lead across fields, heathland and forests, but they have flashing lights on their harnesses so we can see where they are. On lead around the village - no problem except around fireworks season.

Yes, afternoon walk in the dark, usually around 5-6pm. Have various lights for DDog and Dpup which can go on harnesses or coats, and a clip on torch for me, so that I can see where they are going/pick up poos. Ddog is often off lead in the park we walk in, so I can spot him easily.

Oh absolutely I walk him in the dark, but he's a big lad so nobody is going to mess with us.