The clocks fall back November 1: how to make dark dog walks safer

In most of the U.S., daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. (Hawaii and most of Arizona don't change.) We get an extra hour of sleep, but an hour of evening daylight moves to the morning, so the 5:30 p.m. dog walk that was in daylight last week will be at or after dusk next week.

That matters. Zoetis Petcare, citing NHTSA, notes that three out of four pedestrian fatalities happen at night, and visibility plays a big part. A dark dog low to the ground is very hard for a driver to see.

The 60-second check before you leave

1. Light the dog, not just the collar. Reflective collars are easy to hide under thick fur and hard to see from behind. A lit or reflective harness or vest lets drivers see your dog from the side and from behind too.
2. Light yourself. Wear something reflective as your outer layer and carry a flashlight or headlamp. It helps drivers see you, and it helps you spot hazards (and whatever your dog is about to eat).
3. Check the leash and ID. Use a secure, well-fitting leash, not a long retractable one near roads. Make sure the tag and microchip details are up to date; the AVMA notes that more pets get lost in winter.
4. Choose a route you can see. Stick to lit sidewalks and marked crossings. Where there's no sidewalk, walk facing traffic. A shortcut you know well can be dark, icy or uneven at night.
5. Put the phone away. Watch for cars turning across crosswalks, even when you have the walk signal.

Gear that actually helps

Our pick for the best night-walk upgrade is a light-up harness. The light wraps around the dog's body, so it's visible from every side:

For a cheaper option, or for quick backyard potty breaks:

Short-coated dogs will soon need a coat too, and some have reflective trim:

Adjusting your dog's schedule

Dogs don't know about the clock change, but they do know when dinner is late. If your dog's routine is tied tightly to your schedule, you can shift walks and meals by 10–15 minutes a day for a few days around November 1 instead of all at once. Also expect more wildlife at dusk and dawn. Zoetis suggests making some noise (talk to your dog or jingle your keys) so animals like coyotes and raccoons hear you coming.

See all our picks in Best Cold-Weather & Night-Walk Gear for Dogs.

Sources: AAA / NIST on the 2026 time change; Zoetis Petcare "Safety tips for walking your dog at night"; AVMA cold-weather safety.