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The official website
for the Countryside Code has maps of open access land in England and Wales
and is full of information on walking Download a copy of their informative
booklet
www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
For information covering
Wales and Scotland, the Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Countryside
Access both have sites with specific details on access to the countryside,
maps and further links
www.ccw.gov.uk
The UK's leading site for
dog friendly travel
Paws for a Walk
"Take nothing but pictures
Kill nothing but time
Leave nothing but footprints
To show you came by"
- JOHN
KAY, songwriter |
Walking
in Britain
Britain is a wonderful place
to walk and offers an immense variety of landscapes.
You can find hills, parkland, woodlands, rugged mountains,
fens, river valleys, and an interesting coastline.
All are within easy reach by public transport and offer
something for everyone.
Arrange to meet up for a regular local walk, form a group
or arrange a holiday in
another part of the country.
Look at our Links
page which will take you to websites that give lots of
information on walking in Britain,
and search for pet friendly holiday accommodation to find places which happily accept you and your
dogs.
The benefits of walking with your dog are endless, both
for you and your canine companion - so make time for walking.
Take
sensible precautions when travelling
for the safety of you and your dog
Walking
 Start slowly and build up the distance over weeks, wear sensible
shoes or walking boots
and take care of your dog's feet, checking for scratches, cuts, grass
seeds between the toes and ticks.
Carry a small First Aid Kit for your dog.
See our Health and Welfare section for accessories.
Dog owners have a responsibiity not to allow their dog to foul
indiscriminately. Carry poo-bags and dispose of them responsibly. Click here to link to Muksak for some product ideas.
Are dogs allowed where you plan to walk? If you are unsure, check
before you leave.
Is your dog ready? Before going on a long walk consider if your dog
is healthy enough,
has the desire and is trained enough to walk with you.
Train your dog if necessary. A dog who is well behaved results in
a more enjoyable walk, and
you are legally required to control your dog.
 Walk your dog on a lead where indicated, if it is on a lead it can't
get away and cause problems.
Some people use a harness, which offers control and is more comfortable
for the dog,
and others prefer a retractable lead although these can cause problems.
Take a spare lead, you might lose one.
Carry water for both your and your pet. You can buy
collapsible
bowls or a combined container/bowl for your dog.
Take great care of your dog near water. Know its limitations. Not
all dogs are strong swimmers
and the currents in rivers and along the coast can be deceptively
strong.
The journey
Do not leave your dog in a car in warm weather. Unlike humans,
dogs cannot sweat to cool themselves down and rely instead on panting.
This makes them very susceptible to heat stroke and every year many
dogs die unnecessarily as a result of being left in a hot car.
It only takes a few minutes for the interior temperature to build
up higher than the outside air temperature, especially if direct
sunlight bakes the car.
Leaving windows open will help but it's very unlikely that there
will be sufficient air circulation to prevent heat stroke.
When you are travelling by car always make sure your dog is strapped
in with a car harness or confined to its own part of the car in
a crate
or behind a dog guard. Your attention should be on the road, not
on your dog.
"At 30mph, for example, a 50lb border collie would be thrown
forward with a force equivalent to nine 12-stone men - enough to
kill a driver or passenger." (Source: The Royal Society
for the Prevention of Accidents)
Accidents happen to dogs, too. Never allow your dog to travel with its head out of the
window - it could be injured by debris, by another vehicle or jump
out.
Train your dog to remain in the car until you have attached its
lead - a dog that jumps out of a car as soon as you open the door
could cause a serious accident.
Pack a bag for your dog too; bedding, towels, toys, first aid kit,
collapsible bowls and water containers are all useful.
Motion Sickness. Most dogs can overcome motion sickness through
desensitizing them.
Gradually accustom the dog to spending time in the car with the
engine off, then with the engine on, then short trips, building
up to longer trips.
Prior to a journey be sure the dog has not been fed just before
you set off. You can also use anti- sickness medications to help
settle the stomach
and prevent the sometimes prolific drooling that occurs in a nauseous
dog. Ask your vet.
Every dog should have a means of identification. Consider taking
a temporary disc with details of where you plan to stay and your
mobile telephone number.
Carry a photograph of your dog in case he gets lost.
Name tags and collars do get lost but are legally required, and
microchips back up the information.
Consider Health Insurance, accidents can happen and peace of mind whilst travelling will help you enjoy being out with your dog.
Visit Animal Friends Insurance for a quote
Find out the contact numbers of the veterinary surgeries in the
area you will be going to
www.any-uk-vet.co.uk
Travelling abroad
Following the introduction of
the Pet Travel Scheme, your dog can now travel with you to certain
countries,
without going into quarantine. For further information on the PETS
travel scheme visit our "Paws Abroad" information page
to search for pet friendly holiday accommodation in France and Spain
Your accommodation
Remember when enquiring about accommodation
to ask about their rules concerning pets.
 Where can your dog sleep?
Is there anywhere the dog is not permitted to go?
Do you need to take your dog's bedding?
How many dogs are accepted?
Make sure your dogs are treated for fleas and wormed - and respect the property
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