How long should I walk my dog in the morning

One of the most significant moments for a dog is their walking time. And since they cherish routines, it’s important to choose a regular timeline for walking your pooch. But you may wonder the best time of the day to walk your dog.

There’s no distinct time that’s best for walking your dog. You can do it in the morning or at night, depending on your schedule and preferences. Both have advantages. You can check out and choose the best time to stroll with your canine friend.

In this article, you’ll learn the benefits of walking your dog at different times of the day so you can decide the best option for you. You’ll also find some dog walking tips that’ll lead to a great experience for both you and your furry friend.

What Is the Best Time to Walk Your Dog?

Some people walk their dogs in the morning because they find it harder to be consistent later in the day. Others wake up late and find morning walks to be uncomfortable. Read on to see the benefits of both.

Morning Dog Walks Advantages

Whether you wish to incorporate waking up early with your dog’s routine or simply want to walk your dog during sunrise, morning walks provide you with many benefits. Check them out:

Your Dog Enjoys the Start of Their Day with You

Although you may not notice, your dog doesn’t fancy seeing you off to work. And if your canine companion spends most of their day alone, it’s worse. They have to watch you put on your shoes and leave for 8+ hours without having any special time spent with you.

However, when you take your dog for a morning walk, it lessens the tension related to your absence. The companionship early during the day reduces the boredom they can feel when you simply dash off to work every morning. And if they have separation anxiety, this can help them relax. Moreover, since they use up energy after the walk, it’ll be easier for them to relax and sleep afterward.

Physical activity increases blood circulation and activates overall body metabolism. This happens in all animals’ bodies, so taking your dog on a morning walk will help both of you boost energy for the rest of your day.

(Source: WebMD)

It’s Good Use of Your Dog’s Energy

A morning exercise routine helps your dog release the excess energy that they may otherwise direct on destructive behaviors like jumping and scratching all over your furniture. Therefore, when you come home from work, you’ll likely find the place tidy as you left it.

You Efficiently Use Your Mornings

Morning is any time from midnight to midday. While the time before waking up and going to work might exceed even two hours, some people may not get to use it as effectively as they could. This might be due to a lack of routine or ritual that can set the tone of the day.

One way to use your mornings well is to follow a system you and your dog use. They love consistent habits and would, therefore, appreciate you for it.

So, you can schedule your morning walks according to the waking patterns of your dog. If they commonly wake up at 6 a.m., you can take them for a walk some minutes or hours after that.

(Source: Northwestern Medicine)

Here’s a sample schedule you can tweak and make your own:

1. 6.00 a.m.: You wake up
2. 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m.: Preparing to go to work
3. 7.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m.: Dog walking
4. 8.00 a.m.: Leaving for work

It’s Cool During Summer

Mornings are cool even in the hottest summers. The harsh sun of the afternoons can damage your dog’s paws as they walk the scorching sidewalks.

Furthermore, the temperature above 85 degrees Fahrenheit can have heat stroke effects on your dog regardless of size and breed. In this case, the best time to walk dogs is during the morning. They can enjoy the fresh air and take long walks without overheating.

(Source: Vets Now)

Benefits of Walking Your Dog at Night

If your morning is packed with other issues or you often leave early for work, it’s okay to walk your dog at night. Nighttime walking also has advantages you and your dog can reap.

You’ll Both Have Better Sleep

After using up their energy during the walk, your dog will likely tire and sleep early. Moreover, they’ll sleep peacefully for the rest of the night since an active day makes them sleep better. This also means you get a good night’s rest since you won’t be distracted by their restlessness. 

It’s Easy to Relax

If you have work to think about in the morning, it’s easy to rush your walk. Therefore, if your time is more freed up before sleeping time, walking your dog at that time is the best option. You can relax after a long workday and help your dog do the same while enjoying the companionship.

There’s Less Traffic

Especially if your dog has anxiety issues, you’ll immensely benefit from walking them at night. Roads are more deserted than during the day, so it’s mostly the two of you, relaxing each other with every step.

(Sources: AnimalWised, JourneyDogTraining, Mad Paws, My Animals, Viovet)

Can I Walk My Dog Both in The Morning and At Night?

You can walk your dog twice a day as long as you have the time for it. Experts at PetMD recommend 30 minutes to 2 hours of daily exercise, and you don’t have to do it once a day. So you can take your canine friend for a morning walk and a night walk to add up to 30 minutes, an hour or two depending on your dog’s exercise needs.

When you walk your dog at the beginning of the day and before bed, you’ll reap the advantages of both timelines. For instance, you’ll get to kickstart your metabolism to remain active for the rest of the day and also sleep well due to the before-bed activity.

(Sources: PetMD)

What Other Times of The Day Can I Walk My Dog?

Mornings or night walks may be out of the question according to your lifestyle. Even then, you don’t have to give up on your dog or leave it all to a dog walker. You can also walk your dog in the afternoon or early evenings when it’s not yet dark.

Afternoons start at midday and end by 6.00 p.m. That’s when the evening begins, but you can’t call it nighttime since it may not be dark outside. You might free up some time to walk your dog during the afternoon timeframe.

In a nutshell, you can walk your dog at any time of the day provided:

• The temperature outside is not more than 85 degrees Fahrenheit or lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit. (Source: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance & Foundation)
• You can be consistent with the timeline.
• You’re free for the set amount of time and aren’t rushing the walk.
• You don’t feed your dog before walking time.
• You ensure overall safety.

Dog Walking Insights When Walking Your Dog at Night

Dog walking at night needs special attention compared to other times of the day.

The main reason for this is because it’s dark. But you should be fine as long as you apply the following night dog walking tips:

• Use a leash. Your dog may dash off to explore something, and since your vision isn’t great at night, it can get unpleasant.
• Wear something bright or reflective to make you conspicuous so someone driving or anyone significant can spot you.
• Bring a flashlight and mostly walk in well-lit areas for safety and security.
• Use dog reflective gear like this Illumiseen LED Dog Vest, Blazin’ Safety LED Dog Collar, or noxgear Reflective Dog Harness.

(Sources: Strut The Pup, Hillspet, Hollywood Feed)

Closing Thoughts

The best time to walk your dog can be in the morning, afternoon, and also evening. It can also be bright with sunlight or dark as long as you follow the required precautions. All you need is to assess your schedule and choose the timeline you prefer. Just make sure you keep the timeline consistent and give your canine friend the level of exercise they need.