What does responsible dog walking look like?
I love working as a Communications Officer for the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership! I’ve had an interest in wildlife, particularly heathland wildlife, for many years and love being outdoors. Which goes hand in hand with exploring the countryside with my dog, Henry.
Birdwatching and dog walking can go together, with a little patience!
With the main aim of our project being to raise awareness of, and help protect, rare ground-nesting birds on the Thames Basin Heaths, I spend a great deal of my work time sharing tips to help protect these birds from recreational disturbance.
Most of us value our dog’s enjoyment on a walk. We want to see them happy and stimulated through investigating their environment and running free and playing with other dogs. All very natural behaviours. But how often do we consider that we may need to change our behaviour depending on WHERE we walk? In parks and recreation grounds, risks to our dogs and the environment seem few.
If we choose to visit a nature reserve, there’s a clue in the title that there may be tighter guidelines for visiting with a dog. But what about visiting a common with your dog? The title common land may evoke an image of open areas that are devoid of wildlife, where dogs can run free with little impact on the environment. But common land may also have important conservation designations. It could be a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA) or even a National Nature Reserve, in the case of Chobham Common in Surrey and Castle Bottom in Hampshire. And this is where, if we want to be responsible dog owners, we have some decisions to make.
Many areas of common land within the Thames Basin area are vast. That vastness may give a false sense of security about our dog’s safety. And mean that the importance of keeping paws on paths is taken less seriously. If your dog runs through open heath or grass you may not necessarily see a bird flush up and think ‘no harm done’. But repeat disturbance to ground-nesting birds on a daily basis may lead to nests with eggs or chicks being abandoned and predated.
So what does a responsible dog walk on the Thames Basin Heaths look like?
During ground-nesting bird season, 1st March to 15th September, please keep Paws on Paths.
Following the main path network and playing games on path with plenty of sniffing along the edges provides stimulation and reduces disturbance to ground-nesting birds.
We may need to put our dogs on leads where grazing livestock are present.
If your dog has poor recall, for the safety of both, please pop your dog on a lead around livestock.
Please bag and bin dog waste. Any bin will do!
Dog waste enriches low nutrient heathland soil and can kill off heather. It can also carry the parasite Neospora which can negatively impact cattle health.
But let’s go back to the notion of a dog’s enjoyment on a walk. Large heaths offer longer walks and many dog owners feel that a long walk means a happy, tired dog. But did you know that taking your dog on a ‘sniffari’ and playing games can be just as stimulating and rewarding? Just remember the Paws on Path guidance!
Why not explore a ‘Greenspace on your doorstep’ walk?
There are so many to choose from, why not see what walks are local to you?
Exploring new walks can be exciting for both you and your dog! Different features to explore and new sights to enjoy in woodlands, meadows and grasslands! These dog-friendly walks offer more opportunities for sniffing, playing and interacting off-path. Take a look at the interactive map here.
Our friendly community dog-owner group Heathland Hounds showcases these fantastic walks! Why not join our Facebook group?
Of course, being a responsible dog owners means that being courteous to other countryside visitors and popping your dog on a lead when appropriate comes naturally wherever you’re walking.
Walking with dogs is great for our physical and mental health, and the safety of our pets and ourselves is our priority. But for me, helping protect the environment and wildlife where I’m walking Henry is imperative too!
Nicky, Communications Officer
Thames Basin Heath Partnership