Heat, ice, darkness and traffic each bring their own risks. Small habits make every walk safer.
Dogs overheat quickly. Walk early morning or late evening on hot days, bring water, and test asphalt with the back of your hand — if it is too hot for five seconds, it burns paws. Never leave a dog in a parked car.
Use reflective gear and a light on both dog and human. Rinse paws after salted roads, and consider trimming fur between the pads to stop ice balls from forming.
Keep the leash short near roads and switch sides so you are between the dog and traffic. Ask before greeting other dogs — a leash greeting that goes wrong is a common cause of reactivity.
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