Most dog owners will agree that safety is a fundamental aspect of dog walking. However, many will not go far enough when it comes to making sure that their dogs and themselves are seen in darker conditions.
If you venture out on those dark early morning or evening strolls, a primary consideration should be about being visible to drivers and other pedestrians. It is very simple to do and will cost less than you might think.
We have all heard about those traffic collisions on the major road systems, but we often miss some of the other serious and often fatal collisions closer to home. Some of these involve animals and humans and it is our responsibility to ensure that we keep these incidents to a minimum.
There is no doubt that at certain times, drivers can appear to be driving on auto pilot. If we have a regular journey, there are occasions when we can delve into areas of our sub-conscious when it comes to a familiar A-B route.
The truth is that car drivers can often miss obvious danger signs, especially in low lit areas on roads and pavements. An owner walking their dog in the dark can often be missed, unless they can make themselves known to the driver. Giving a car driver a little visual nudge can help them to identify a potentially dangerous event and their senses will be more in tune to adapt and react to that event.
The use of reflective clothing or LED flashing lights can make sure they are aware you are there and fortunately, there are plenty of simple high visibility pet products to make sure that you stay safe when walking in the dark:
High Visibility Jackets
You will often see workmen wearing reflective clothing and you can now buy something similar for your dog. The jacket is placed over the torso of the animal and has a number of reflective strips that catch the light from any passing car or street light.
You can add further visibility by buying a dog jacket that has LED lights incorporated into the design which flashes on and off. LEDs require a low amount of power to work and can last for many walks. The jacket option also means that if you let your dog off the lead you can see them as they rush off into the darkness.
LED Leads
Another option is to buy a lead that has a string of LED lights inside, which again flashes on and off. These can be charged up by plugging into a USB port. Some will also operate via solar power so all you have to do is hang them up in a sun lit window during the day. Leads of this type also incorporate reflective fabric which increases your visibility in the dark. Both high visibility jackets and LED leads are a low cost and effective way to keep both yourself and your dog safe when walking in the dark.
LED Pendants
You can also buy LED pendants which fit to your dog's collar, so they are still visible if they somehow get off the lead. These devices will usually operate on cell batteries and they are very cheap to buy.
Many dog owners choose a combination of the methods described for increasing visibility at night. The choices you make will depend on a number of different factors. Some will choose a pendant if their dog does not like to wear clothes and others will choose a LED lead if their dog has long fur and a flashing dog collar will get lost in the long hair.
Spending a small amount of money on reflective, high visibility jackets and Flashing LED dog leads is a good investment but don't forget about the human element. Dog owners can also wear jackets, arm bands and flashing pendants to catch the eye and it is a small price to pay for you and your dog's safety and well being when out on those dark nights and mornings.
Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?Keeping-You-And-Your-Dog-Safe-When-Walking-in-the-Dark&id=9255955
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