Winter Dog Walks Belong in the Midday Sun: Timing for Short Days and Signs Your Dog Feels the Cold

In 2026, November 7 is Rittō, the start of winter in Japan's traditional calendar of 24 solar terms. By the time you head out for an evening walk, the streetlights are increasingly already on. Sunrise is getting later too, so it may still be dim when you leave home in the morning.

The basics of an early-winter walk are to shift it toward sunny midday hours, prepare for darker times with well-lit routes and reflective gear, and wrap up when your dog shows signs of feeling cold. This article covers the short days, cautions for dusk, how to read signs that your dog is cold, and how to spend days when walks are shorter. It draws on materials from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the National Police Agency and overseas expert organizations, checked as of November 2026.

The earliest sunset comes before the winter solstice, so finish walks early in early December

The earliest sunset does not fall on the winter solstice itself but about ten days before it. According to the ephemeris of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, sunset in Tokyo in 2026 is at 16:28 on both December 1 and December 12. Assume evenings get dark earliest in early December, and finish your walk early. Times differ by region, so it is worth looking up the sunset time where you live once.

Shift walks to sunny midday hours, especially for dogs that feel the cold

In early winter, the time that most easily gives you both warmth and good visibility is the sunny middle of the day. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends walking during the sunniest parts of the day in winter, citing the warming sun and better visibility. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says smaller, single-coated and hairless dogs can spend more time outside on sunny days, but not in the cold.

If you cannot walk at midday on weekdays, one approach is to take a longer midday walk on sunny weekends and keep weekday morning and evening walks shorter. Which dogs feel the cold easily and how to choose clothing are covered in our column "Enjoying a Winter Cafe Terrace with Your Dog".

At dusk around sunset, drivers see you less easily, so walk on well-lit routes with reflective gear

Dusk is when both people and dogs become harder for drivers to see. Japan's National Police Agency calls the hour before and after sunset the "dusk period" (hakubo). Its analysis of fatal traffic accidents over the five years from 2021 to 2025 found that they occur frequently between 17:00 and 19:59, the hours that overlap with sunset. Among fatal accidents in the dusk period, collisions between cars and pedestrians are the most common.

The agency urges pedestrians to wear bright clothing and use reflective materials and lights to make their presence known. Blue Cross, a UK animal welfare charity, also notes that drivers find it hard to see people on dark evenings and recommends bright or reflective clothing. From a car, both owners and dogs become hard to see.

Before an evening walk, check the following points.

• Look up the sunset time and decide when to leave so you can finish before it gets dark
• Once it gets dark, choose well-lit routes with streetlights
• Wear a brightly colored jacket yourself, and put a collar or harness with reflective material or a light on your dog
• If you walk after dark, walking with family or friends is another option
• For morning walks before sunrise, use reflective gear and lights just as you would in the evening

Let your dog's behavior set the length of the walk, and wrap up if it shivers or whines

In winter, it is your dog's behavior, rather than the clock, that should decide how long you walk. AAHA lists four signs to watch for on winter walks: shivering, lifting the paws, whining and decreased energy. If you see these signs, it recommends bringing your dog to a warm, dry place and contacting your veterinarian.

The RSPCA also advises keeping an eye on your dog during walks for signs that it is cold and uncomfortable. Blue Cross says some dogs may feel the cold more, particularly older ones. AAHA adds that small breeds, senior pets and dogs with short coats may need an extra layer.

The AKC says toy breeds have a harder time regulating their body temperature, and that elderly dogs should keep outings short and supervised. For footing, AAHA recommends trimming nails regularly, because long nails can make walking on slippery surfaces difficult.

Make up for shorter walks with indoor games, and move the bed to a warmer spot

On days when the cold cuts a walk short, the basic idea is to make up the difference with games at home. For winter, the RSPCA recommends indoor enrichment such as interactive toys, puzzle feeders and fun games to play together. Blue Cross suggests making sure your dog can get some exercise inside on days that are too cold to go out. It says games of fetch should use soft toys and be played on carpet so your dog does not slip.

Review where your dog rests after a walk for the winter, too. If your dog feels the chill at home, Blue Cross recommends moving its bed to a warmer part of the house and providing thick blankets. If the bed is near the entrance or a window, moving it further into the room just for winter is one option.

On cold days, keep walks short; visit a venue only when your dog has energy to spare

On cold days, it is fine to keep the midday walk short. With a small or senior dog, there is no need to force a trip to a venue after the walk. On days your dog has energy to spare, choosing a venue that allows dogs indoors keeps your time outside short. Dog rules differ by venue, so check before you go.

This weekend, look up sunrise and sunset and set your walk times

Start by looking up this weekend's sunrise and sunset times where you live. Pick one day to walk at midday, and if you walk on weekday evenings, keep reflective gear and a light by the front door to make early-winter walks easier to keep up.

You can test your knowledge of winter walks with the quiz "Winter Walks and Year-End Holidays Quiz: Practice". If you are unsure how to spend the short days, also try the diagnosis "Short Days Routine Type Diagnosis: Practice".