Dog walking
Having a dog provides a great excuse for taking a walk. There are many benefits of getting out and about in the fresh air with your four-legged friend, so enjoy the rewards and happy dog walking.
Our regular visitor survey
shows, around 50% of trips to the natural environment include a dog.
The Countryside Code has a special section dedicated to dogs and the importance of keeping dogs under effective control. This means that you
keep your dog on a lead, or
keep it in sight at all times, be aware of what it’s doing and be confident it will return to you promptly on command
ensure it does not stray off the path or area where you have a right of access
As a general rule, keep your dog on a lead if you cannot rely on its obedience. On a bridleway or byway this could be especially important as you may meet horses and could be liable for damages if your dog causes an accident.
Special dog rules
In certain areas special dog rules apply. For instance, on areas of open country and registered common land with, (known as open access land) you must use a fixed lead no more than 2 metres (6 feet) long from 1st March to 31st July (as this is the ground-nesting bird season), and at all times near livestock. Dogs may also be excluded entirely (grouse moors, and lambing enclosures at lambing time). Look out for local signs, or check the Open Access web pages.
As the England Coast Path is established, (the first section around Weymouth Bay was approved in January 2012), dogs will be required to be kept on a short lead around livestock. Other restrictions may be in place for land management or wildlife reasons in particular places, so again look out for local signs.
Local signs will also inform you of other special measures for dogs. Some sites operate a traffic light system, where green signs indicate dogs are welcome to run off-lead, amber areas require dogs on leads, and red areas where dogs are excluded for specific reasons, perhaps a sensitive habitat.
The Kennel Club and Natural England have produced a special booklet for dog owners that features information on great ways to explore, enjoy and help look after the countryside with your dog. You and your dog in the countryside.
Useful links for dog owners
The Kennel Club
Hearing Dogs
The Dogs Trust
The Blue Cross
Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Association of Pet Behaviour Councillors
Guide Dogs
