Dog Walking Tips

Below, we cover some useful tips and advice for walking your dog. Adhere to these tips and you can consider yourself a responsible and environmentally aware dog walker, which will benefit not only you and your dog, but others too.

Dog Identification Tags

Any dog in a public place should wear the name and address of their owner, either on the collar, a name plate or disc attached to the collar. This is a legal requirement under the Control of Dogs Order 1992.

Since April 2016, it is also a legal requirement in England, Scotland and Wales for dogs to be microchipped.

Check out a good selection of dog ID tags here.

On or Off Lead

On a public right of way, you do not have to keep your dog on a lead, however they must always be under close control. If you cannot completely trust they will be obedient to your command, it is much safer to keep them on a lead.

Flexible leads are available, which will enable your dog to have more freedom to explore but allow you to still bring them under control and back to your side when needed.

Under the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 in England and Wales, you must keep your dog on a short lead (up to 2 metres) on Open Access land between 1 March and 31 July, and at all other times when near farm animals.

Dog Mess

Dog mess is something which can give all dogs a bad name. Of utmost importance is ensuring you do not leave dog mess on footpaths, or other areas where people walk. You wouldn’t like to stand in it yourself, so why leave it for someone else to!

More and more walks and areas these days have special waste bins for dog mess. Please use them, to keep areas as clean as possible. Dog owners have a legal duty to clean up after their dog on ‘designated land’. The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 contains legal measures to prevent dog mess.

Encountering Other People

Other people enjoying the outdoors, such as other walkers, people jogging, cyclists, and horse riders, can all influence your dog’s behaviour. It is always best to keep your dog on a short lead as they pass by you.

It is always best to put your dog on a lead as your approach another dog walker, and hope they do the same. No matter how well you know your dog, you do not know what the other dog is like at all, despite any reassurance from the other dog owner about their dog’s behaviour. As a result, keeping the dog on a short lead just minimises any risk of something happening.

Wildlife

Any dog can scare and disturb wildlife, particularly wildlife caring for their young. During the ground-nesting season between 1 March and 31 July you need to be aware of your responsibility in protecting wildlife. Keeping your dog on a short lead and remaining on designated tracks and paths can help.

Farm Animals

Livestock will often feel threatened by a dog, and it is an offence to allow a dog to worry livestock, under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. As a result, it is advisable to keep your dog on a short leave when passing by farm animals.