Off-Lead Dog Walking Etiquette

Whilst there is no blanket law requiring dogs to be kept on leads in all public spaces, there are a number of places that do require leads. These places are children’s play areas, public parks, roads, beaches, designated pedestrian zones and land where livestock is present.

As a dog owner, it is important to know your local authority’s Public Spaces Protection Orders, these are specific rules to your local authority, which detail the restrictions you must follow on where your dog must be on a lead.

Authorities have the power to issue fines or fixed penalty notices for those who don’t comply.

It is always good to keep your dog safe on a lead when unsure, but when you are in a more open environment, perhaps on a hike, it can be ok to let your dog loose to allow them to explore to their heart’s content.

If you are planning on letting your furry friend off their lead, it is important to understand the dog walking etiquette you should follow. Be sure to keep a close eye on your dog’s whereabouts, you don’t want them wandering into an unknown area they could potentially be harmed or cause harm. If you come across another dog walker with their dog on the lead, be sure to keep your dog away from them. Their owner may be keeping them on a lead for an important reason, they could be a potentially nervous or aggressive animal, so be sure to keep your dog away.

If your dog is amongst other dogs off the lead, be sure to monitor their behaviour. Dogs will often play together, but sometimes things can escalate quickly between them, keep an eye on what’s going on to prevent any potential fighting between them.

The countryside is a great place for a dog to explore, with no cars and less footfall, it is an ideal area for them to burn some energy. When out in the countryside, it is important to follow the countryside code for visitors, as not everyone will be aware of the rules in these environments.

Out here, always keep your dogs under control and in site, if you are going to let your dog off its lead, be confident that your dog will return on command. There are also signs in the country that let you know if your dog is allowed or not, some areas may ban dogs all together. There are bright yellow signs in areas where there is livestock, in these areas keep your dog close and on a lead. You may be unaware that you are on farmers’ lands when on the walk, so try to assess the environment, look out for any signs that you are on farmland before releasing your dog.

As previously mentioned, it is important to keep your dog on a lead around livestock, even if you are confident that your animal is well-trained and behaved. Your dog can scare or harm farm animals, which could lead to a dangerous situation, as some farm animals can be very protective. Farmers can shoot a dog that is harming or chasing livestock, and may not be liable to compensate the dog’s owner, to be safe, always keep your dog on a lead on farmlands, especially around livestock.

Wherever you are, it is important to pick up your dog’s poo. Dog poo can cause illness in people, livestock, and wildlife, so it is your responsibility to prevent this harm from happening. Make sure to keep an eye on your dog so you can see if they are doing their business. If you use a dog poo bag, be sure to dispose of it in a bin, if there is no public waste bin around, take the bag home and use your home. Hold their bags in a handy dispenser such as the Bone Poop Bag Dispenser, which can be easily clipped onto any bag or belt – making sure you never forget their poo bags again. Using containers or deodorised bags to make carrying bags of dog poo easier for yourself.

Letting your dog have some quality time off their lead is important for their happiness and health, but as an owner it is your responsibility to keep your dog and others safe when outdoors. Be sure to be aware of your surroundings, keep your animal under control, and if required, keep your animal on its lead. There are plenty of open areas where they can off the lead and safe, just be sure to use common sense when needed to keep everyone safe and happy. For more doggy related products, check out our dog and puppy range.