Keep your dog safe around livestock this spring

With an estimated 13 million dogs in the U.K., spring is a great time to get outside with your four-legged friend and enjoy the Chilterns National Landscape, but it’s also an important time of year to consider grazing livestock and wildlife while out walking.

Here are three ways to keep your dog safe while enjoying the Chilterns this spring:

1). Have a good recall.

Be confident that your dog will come back to you in any setting. This will keep your dog from entering areas where you do not have Right of Way and away from livestock, wildlife, conservation areas, and, if necessary, other walkers and dogs.

2). Keep your dog on a lead around livestock, wildlife reserves and areas of conservation.

Even if your dog has great recall, for their own safety, it is advised to always keep them on a lead around livestock and horses. The exception to this is in situations where you feel threatened – releasing your dog will make it easier for you both to reach safety.

To help protect local wildlife, sometimes there are seasonal restrictions in certain areas, like nature reserves or fields with ground nesting birds, so, look out for signage along your regular route and follow any temporary restrictions that may be in place.

3). Consider visiting an enclosed dog field.

There are multiple places across the Chilterns where you can enjoy off-lead experiences with your dog. Ranging from £10 to £20 an hour, depending on size and facilities, enclosed dog fields provide an opportunity to let your dog run free, enjoy some agility, or work on some training. Enclosed fields also provide a safe space for reactive dogs to enjoy the outdoors.