If you're planning to be out and about with your dog, it's important to make sure you dog stays happy, safe and healthy. So here are our top tips on walking with dogs.
Walkies - As a general rule of thumb your dog will need to be walked at least 15 minutes twice a day, but some dogs may require more. During hot weather try and plan your walks in the morning or evening when the temperatures are cooler, dogs can also suffer from heat stroke so try and plan ahead. Also take plenty of water, and let your dog have a dip if passing a stream.
Seven second test - On hot days, hold the back of your hand to the tarmac on the road or path, if it’s too hot for your hand then it’s too hot for the dogs paws. Dogs paws are sensitive and the pads underneath can easily get burnt from the heat of the tarmac.
Don’t ignore signs - Please take note of signs on gates or posts. If the sign says “No dogs allowed”, then the sign is there for a reason. Many moorland areas have set periods where dogs are not allowed because of ground nesting birds many of which are endangered such as Curlew, Lapwing and Golden Plover. Depending on weather patterns the ground nesting season can be anywhere between March and June. If you do insist on ignoring the signs then please keep your dog on a lead.
Are they welcome - When planning a day out, make sure that dogs are allowed. Some parks and beaches have ‘Public Space Protection Orders’ or ‘Dog Control Orders’ in summer, so it’s always worth checking before you set off. If not get a reliable dog sitter, and never, ever leave your dog in a car.
Keep your dog on a lead - Whenever near livestock or farms keep your dog on a lead, the dog may be curious or only think it is playing but sheep can die from shock and the farmer is legally entitled to shoot any dogs found ‘worrying livestock’. Most dog owners consider their dogs as one of the family, imagine if your dog ran off chasing sheep and was shot, it would be your fault.
Dog ID - Get a collar with an ID tag and contact number on, then if your dog does run off it can be traced back to you. Legally your dog should be micro-chipped anyway.
Plan your holiday - Try and include your pet on your family holiday, there are plenty of dog friendly cottages, caravans, apartments, B&B’s around the UK, and its fairly easy to search to find whether they’re allowed. Most places will charge a nominal fee for a dog. You can find cottages, lodges and boats that accepts pets in the UK and Europe and every time a holiday is booked through Dogs Trust Holidays, a 10% donation from Cottages.com and Hoseasons is sent to the charity.
Ask before approaching other dogs - Just because your dog is friendly the dog coming towards you may not be, so always put your dog on a lead and ask the other dog owner if it’s okay for your dog to approach the other dog.
Pick up your dog poo - Pet waste may contain harmful organisms such as giardia, E. coli, roundworms, hookworms, and salmonella that can spread to other animals and humans. And when pet waste is left on the ground those diseases, pathogens & bacteria make their way into the soil and pollute water supply. Although not very glamorous, most responsible walkers will pick up their dogs poo, but then please don’t leave the bag hanging from the fence.
Get a coat - In winter or cold weather your dog can get cold as well, and it only takes a couple of seconds to put the coat on the dog. Many dog coats have reflective strips to help car drivers see them on them cold dark winters evenings.
