The clocks have gone back, the leaves are coming down and, if you live in Stockport or Halifax, you have probably already had at least one walk that ended with a soggy dog and a muddy hallway. November is a lovely month for walks, but darker afternoons and wet ground mean it pays to plan a little more. Here are our practical tips for getting through the month safely, happily and with fewer towels in the wash.
1. Make the most of the daylight
With sunset now well before 5pm, the after-work walk often happens in the dark. If you can, shift your dog’s longest walk to the middle of the day, when it is lighter and a touch warmer. Many dogs are perfectly happy with a shorter sniff around the block in the evening as long as they have had a proper outing earlier on.
If your working day makes a lunchtime walk tricky, this is exactly where a midday dog walker can help. It keeps your dog’s routine steady through the winter and saves you trudging round in the dark.
2. Be seen on darker walks
When you do walk after dark, visibility matters for you and your dog:
- Light up your dog. A reflective collar or harness, a hi-vis coat or a clip-on LED light makes a big difference to drivers and cyclists.
- Light up yourself. A head torch or reflective jacket helps you spot hazards on the path as well as being seen.
- Stick to familiar routes. Well-lit streets and paths you know are a better choice than open fields or woodland once it is dark.
- Keep your dog on the lead near roads. Even a dog with brilliant recall can be startled by sudden noises or headlights.
3. Watch out for autumn hazards
Autumn brings a few seasonal things worth keeping an eye on:
- Conkers and acorns. Both can upset a dog’s stomach and conkers can cause blockages. If your dog is a hoover, steer clear of trees that are dropping them.
- Fallen leaves. Wet leaf piles can hide sticks, litter and the odd unpleasant surprise, and mouldy leaves are best kept out of mouths.
- Antifreeze. It tastes sweet to pets and is very dangerous. Mop up any spills on drives and keep containers well out of reach.
- Leftover fireworks. Bonfire Night may be over, but displays often carry on for a while. Keep evening walks short and on lead, and if you have a nervous dog, take a look at our earlier post on helping pets through firework season.
If you think your dog has eaten something it should not have, call your vet straight away rather than waiting to see what happens.
4. Deal with wet paws and muddy coats
Pennine rain and muddy parks are part of life in our area, so a simple routine at the door helps:
- Keep an old towel and a bowl of warm water by the door to rinse and dry paws.
- Check between the toes and pads for grit, small stones or cuts.
- Dry your dog thoroughly, especially older dogs and short-coated breeds that feel the cold.
- Consider a waterproof coat for dogs who shiver easily or have thin coats.
A quick check after each walk also helps you spot ticks, grass seeds or sore spots early.
5. Keep minds busy on washout days
Some days the weather is simply miserable. When a long walk is not on the cards, your dog still needs something to do. Try:
- A scatter feed or snuffle mat with part of their daily food.
- A short training session to practise sits, waits and recall indoors.
- A stuffed food toy or lick mat to keep them settled.
- Hide and seek with a favourite toy.
Ten or fifteen minutes of brain work can tire a dog out surprisingly well.
6. Keep routines steady for older dogs and those on medication
Cold, damp weather can make stiff joints feel worse. Gentle, regular walks are usually better than one long outing, and a warm, draught-free bed makes a real difference. If your dog is on oral medication, such as tablets or liquids, try to keep timings consistent through the shorter days. Our carers are happy to give oral medication during visits, so let us know what your pet needs when you book.
Need a hand this winter?
If dark evenings, long working days or school runs are squeezing your dog’s walks, our team in Stockport and Halifax can help keep your pet happy and exercised while you get on with your day. We offer dog walking and pet care tailored to your pet’s routine.
You can book or check availability through our website, or give us a call on 0161 399 0317 for a friendly chat about what your dog needs.
Image credit: “We drove farther and walked in the autumn leaves” by cogdogblog (Flickr), CC0 1.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:We_drove_farther_and_walked_in_the_autumn_leaves._(882127625).jpg