Country Walking Better with a Dog

WIN! 

Is your dog 

the next 

CW star? 

A GUIDE TO WALKING’S 

PERFECT PARTNERSHIP 

Why dogs rock 

& which one? 

Brilliant kit for 

better walks 

Enjoy hills 

as much as 

each other 

EXPERT ADVICE 

HOW TO BE A 

GREAT OWNER 

PLUS Your questions answered ● Dog-friendly resources

WELCOME | BETTER WITH A DOG 

t A MATCH MADE 

IN... URGH, GET OFF! 

By turns fun, foolish, 

filthy and at times 

frustrating, having a 

dog must be a bit like 

having a husband. 

Only better, probably. 

Welcome, woof, hello 

Sit. Stay. Enjoy our supplement. Because if you thought YOUR love 

of walking was infectious, wait until you try it with a dog. 

Having a dog is a bit like living in a 

cartoon. Slapstick capers, furious 

chases and the odd spectacular 

calamity, all knitted together 

with a shared sense that deep down 

you’re both a pair of wallies – and the 

universe is kind to wallies. They’re 

always up for it (no matter they’ve no 

idea what ‘it’ might be today), they’ve 

never faked a moment’s enthusiasm in 

their lives and they honestly, honestly 

couldn’t think of a thing they’d rather 

be doing than whatever it is we’re 

doing right now. A good dog is the ideal 

walking partner, and a great lubricator 

of life in general – getting you moving, 

getting you talking and stopping you 

seizing up either mentally or physically. 

Which is why we called this supplement 

‘Better with a dog’ – because things 

usually are. And whether you’re 

wondering whether to get a dog or 

you’re already an owner, we wanted to 

share the good news and good advice we 

hope will make walks with your present 

or future partner in grime even better. 

After all, when it comes to fun on foot, 

they’ve got it licked. 

(AND WOODY) 

CONTENTS 

4 Why walking’s better 

with a dog 

6 Which dog? 

8 How to be great 

walking buddies 

10 Woody’s first hill walk 

14 Dogs in the hills 

17 Kit focus 

19 Is your dog the new 

Missing Millie? 

20 Dogs & walking FAQs 

23 Useful dog directory 

THANK YOU 

GRAHAM THOMPSON 

Dog trainer, pet behaviour counsellor and 

technical editor of CW’s sister magazine 

Trail, GT made a huge contribution to this 

supplement. His renowned dog counselling 

service is based in Cumbria and you can read all about 

it at his website: www.thompsonoutdoor.co.uk 

JAMIE SHANKS 

Professional dog-walker Jamie has worked with 

dozens of dogs and owners and kindly lent his 

experience to this supplement as a consultant. 

Jamie is based in Bishopton, Renfrewshire and 

his fascinating site is at www.bdws.co.uk. His recipe for 

tired-dog-reviving bone broth is worth the visit alone! 

BETTER WITH A DOG 2016 3

WALKING’S BETTER WITH A DOG BECAUSE THEY DON'T MIND 

YOUR INANE CONVERSATIONS AND DON'T LAUGH AT YOUR 

RIDICULOUS SENSE OF DIRECTION – ANNIE FINLAY 

THEY DON'T GET BORED, AND ALWAYS PUT 

A SMILE ON MY FACE – DEBBIE JONES 

BECAUSE THEY LOOK VAGUELY INTERESTED WHEN YOU'RE 

RUMMAGING ABOUT FOR GEOCACHES – SONIA MAPP 

NOBODY LOVE ADVENTURES, AND PICNIC LUNCHES 

ALONG THE WAY, MORE – LINDA HOPKINSON 

BECAUSE THEY ARE SUCH DIFFERENT 

CHARACTERS – DAWN FLETCHER 

SIMPLES. HE'S MY BEST BUDDY 

– SHIRLEY JARVIS 

THEY'RE JUST SO EXCITED ABOUT 

WALKING – LUCY BRUCKNER 

Walking’s better 

with a dog. 

But Why? 

THERE CAN’T BE MANY PEOPLE WHO’VE DONE AS 

MANY WAINWRIGHTS AS HER – JANE GREGORY 

HE GETS ME OUT, KEEPS ME ENTERTAINED AND IS 

NEVER SHORT OF A WAG! – ARRAN SUTHERLAND 

THEY’RE A GOOD INDICATION ON HOW STRONG THE 

WIND IS GETTING AND WHEN TO RETREAT BACK 

DOWN THE MOUNTAIN! – LIZ BIRCHLEY 

BECAUSE YOU MEET LOTS OF NICE PEOPLE 

OUT WITH THEIR DOGS! – GEMMA GREEN 

YOU CAN'T BEAT BEING OUT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE 

WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS – CORINNE DUNCAN 

WHATEVER THE STRESS OF THE DAY... THIS LITTLE 

FELLA TAKES IT ALL AWAY – 

CLAIRE BOND 

THE DOGS LOVE WALKING IN QUIET, PEACEFUL AREAS JUST AS 

MUCH AS I DO. IT'S SO RELAXING. I COULDN'T IMAGINE 

WALKING ANYWHERE WITHOUT A DOG – TERRY GREEN 

4 BETTER WITH A DOG 2016 

NO QUESTIONS, NO COMPLAINTS, JUST CONTENTED 

WALKING COMPANIONS – DELWYN ELLIS 

MY DOGS KEEP ME WALKING WHEN I COULD 

TAKE THE SHORT ROUTE – DAWN BROMLEY

YOUR DOGS | BETTER WITH A DOG 

DOGS HAVE TO BE WALKED WHATEVER THE WEATHER 

AND WHATEVER MY MOOD – SUE SCOTT 

YOU FIND BRAND NEW PLACES AND FANTASTIC 

UNEXPECTED PATHS – SAMANTHA STANSFIELD 

YOU ALWAYS HAVE A WALKING 

BUDDY ON HAND – DENISE LAW 

THEY’RE FAITHFUL AND LOVING WITH PLENTY 

OF ENERGY FOR WALKS – STEVE TURNER 

A DOG GIVES YOU MOTIVATION AND THEY ALWAYS 

DO THREE TIMES MORE THAN YOU – JENNI YING 

WOODY HAS BOUNDLESS ENERGY AND 

ENDLESS CURIOSITY – LESLEY WILLIAMS 

BECAUSE LIKE ME, SHE'S HAPPIER 

OUTSIDE THAN INSIDE – SUE FULLER 

HARRY’S OUR MOTIVATION TO GET TO SO 

MANY AMAZING PLACES – DAVID THIRLWELL 

HE DOESN’T MOAN ABOUT THE WEATHER AND HE'LL 

ALWAYS SHARE A SANDWICH – JACQUELINE GALE 

THEY REMIND YOU TO ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS – 

LIKE YOUR SURROUNDINGS – 

LOUISE SUTHERLAND 

YOU HAVE ADVENTURES TOGETHER AND ALWAYS 

LOOK FORWARD TO MORE – 

TRACEY STANSFIELD 

WATCHING THEM RUN THROUGH MEADOWS NEVER 

FAILS TO MAKE ME SMILE – LISA JANE COLEY 

I WOULDN'T GO OUT WITHOUT HIM. LIFE IS SO MUCH 

BETTER WITH A DOG IN TOW – RUTH PATTERSON 

TESS IS ‘TRAINED’ TO SEARCH OUT A PLACE TO SIT 

WHEN SHE SEES ME FLAGGING – MANDY LUCAS 

SHE’S THE REASON I LOVE WALKING, BECAUSE 

I LOVE TO SEE HER RUNNING FREE AND ENJOYING 

THE COUNTRYSIDE – ALLAN WEBB 

SHE'S CONSTANTLY JOLLY AND NEVER QUESTIONS 

MY MAP-READING SKILLS – MANDY JONES 

NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOUR FEET HURT THEY STILL 

SPUR YOU ON TO DO MORE – MICKIE NESS 

HE NEVER MOANS WHEN WE GET LOST – JUST ANOTHER 

CHAPTER IN OUR ADVENTURE – AMANDA CANN 


Which dog is 

right for you? 

They’re all lovable, adaptable and up for it, but 

they do come with certain aptitudes built in… 

Way up in their family trees, most 

dogs were bred for a purpose – 

commonly guarding, hunting 

or herding. But it’s important 

to realise there’s more variation within 

any dog breed than between them – so 

choosing a breed won’t guarantee you 

a perfect fit, although some breeds 

will on average be more likely to 

fit your needs better than others. 

These are the seven groups the 

Kennel Club divides the hundreds 

of breeds into based on their similar 

typical characteristics. 

PASTORAL 

These dogs have been bred to move 

livestock and will work all day. Border 

Collies are particularly energetic if they 

have working parents. Others in the group 

may have less of a working instinct 

depending on their breeding. The Rough 

Collie and Shetland Sheepdog are a 

little more restrained in their instincts 

while the German Shepherd tends to 

be more alert and reactive to novelty, 

requiring socialisation and training. 

BEST FOR Active walkers who want 

to put in lots of training. 

ROUGH 

COLLIE 

GERMAN 

SHEPHERD 

SHETLAND 

SHEEPDOG 

S I B E R I A N 

HUSKY 

BOXER 

THRIVES ON At least three 60 minutes 

activity periods a day, or can get bored. 

POPULAR PASTORAL BREEDS 

● Border Collie 

● German Shepherd Dog 

● Rough Collie 

● Smooth Collie 

● Shetland Sheepdog 

BORDER 

COLLIE 

Dog Illustrations: ratch/Shutterstock 

WORKING 

These were bred for specific work 

such as guarding livestock, pulling 

sledges, or hunting and fighting. 

They are generally larger dogs that 

are more difficult to manage in the 

countryside unless they're well trained 

Without it they will pull on leads and 

overpower their owners on walks. 

Some dogs in this group require 

high levels of exercise and more 

specialised care and training. 

BEST FOR Active walkers who want 

to walk for long distances and are 

happy to provide plenty of training. 

POPULAR WORKING 

BREEDS 

● Boxer 

● Doberman 

● Dogue de Bordeaux 

● Rottweiler 

● Siberian Husky 

DOBERMAN 

6 BETTER WITH A DOG 2016 

COCKER 

SPANIEL 

GUNDOG 

Originally developed to find and retrieve 

game, so they tend to enjoy looking for 

the sight, sound and smell of wildlife and 

bringing something back to the their 

owners. This means they get aroused by 

smells and movement on walks and will 

enjoy carrying something in their mouths. 

They tend to be fun-loving dogs that like 

to be active, yet are easily trained as they 

generally enjoy human company and 

have a strong desire to please. 

SPRINGER 

SPANIEL 

GOLDEN 

RETRIEVER 

BEST FOR General walking and swimming. 

THRIVES ON Playing fetch, with two 

60-minute walks a day plus exercise 

or training at lunchtime. 

POPULAR GUNDOG BREEDS 

● Cocker Spaniel 

● Golden Retriever 

● Labrador Retriever 

● Springer Spaniel 

● Weimaraner 

WEIMARANER 

LABRADOR 

RETRIEVER

WHICH DOG? | BETTER WITH A DOG 

GREYHOUND 

BEAGLE 

HOUND 

Dogs in the Hound group were bred to 

hunt at a distance from people, and this 

makes them more aloof than working 

and pastoral breeds. But they are very 

affectionate and indeed attached to their 

owners – the Rhodesian Ridgeback, for 

an extreme example of loyalty, was bred 

as a personal guarding dog – and so can 

become destructive when left alone, 

if not well trained to settle away from 

their owners. The Whippet is particularly 

gentle, while the Beagle is a real challenge 

to train to come back when called. But 

like all hounds, they need less exercise 

than many other dogs. 

DACHSHUND 

BEST FOR Walkers who favour shorter 

outings and don’t mind lots of on-lead time. 

POPULAR HOUND BREEDS 

● Beagle 

● Dachshund 

● Greyhound 

● Rhodesian Ridgeback 

● Whippet 

PUG 

TOY 

YORKSHIRE 

TERRIER 

CAVALIER KING 

CHARLES SPANIEL 

All small but otherwise the dogs in 

this group display a mix of instincts 

and aptitudes. Many were bred as 

companions such as the Cavalier King 

Charles Spaniel and Pug but others 

like the Yorkshire Terrier were bred to 

hunt vermin. Despite their small size, 

they need two walks a day and good 

training if you’re to make the most 

of their manageability; but you can 

carry them over obstacles – making 

them good for areas with lots of stiles. 

BEST FOR Little-and-often walkers 

who want a manageable dog they 

can easily carry over obstacles. 

POPULAR TOY BREEDS 

● Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 

● Chihuahua 

● Chinese Crested 

● Pug 

● Yorkshire Terrier 

CHIHUAHUA 

STAFFORDSHIRE 

BULL TERRIER 

UTILITY 

This group consists of dogs bred for 

specific purposes – but today, their 

qualities may not suit them to general use. 

Bulldogs’ short faces allowed them to 

breath while their jaws were clamped to 

the nose of a bull, but today that same 

feature creates breathing difficulties, 

which means care must be taken when 

exercising; Lhasa Apsos are independent 

as they were bred as night-watchmen 

for Buddhist monks. Miniature Schnauzers 

were bred as ratting and farm guard dogs, 

SHAR 

PEI 

J A C K 

RU S S E L L 

TERRIER 

AND... CROSSBREEDS 

Mixing breeds can take the edge off bad 

behaviour, moderate their overriding sense 

of ‘mission’ and create a more balanced, 

healthy combination of its parents’ pure-bred 

qualities. That can make them easier to train 

and live with compared to some pure breeds. 

Demand for ‘designer’ and ‘hypoallergenic’ 

dogs has led to many crossbreeds – but 

buyer beware. Labradoodles (for example) 

come in both non-shedding AND shedding 

coats; Cockapoos can be yappy and fragile 

OR spirited and robust. The market is a freefor-all, 

so you MUST trust your breeder. 

BEST FOR 

Walkers who’ve done their homework. 

BULLDOG 

BULL 

TERRIER 

BORDER 

TERRIER 

YORKIPOO 

so they are alert but easier 

to manage than larger breeds. 

BEST FOR Short, regular walks with 

owners who understand the breed’s needs. 

POPULAR UTILITY BREEDS 

● Bulldog 

● Dalmatian 

● Lhasa Apso 

● Miniature Schnauzer 

● Shar Pei 

● Shih Tzu 

MINIATURE 

SCHNAUZER 

TERRIER 

Terriers were bred to hunt vermin, which 

makes them lively dogs that can remain 

very active all day. They enjoy playing 

games like digging, tug and fetch and 

will chew and tear toys apart. Part of 

the job description for a vermin hunter 

is no reverse gear in the face of hostility, 

which can lead to problems if they’re not 

well socialised. But tough and portable, 

they make good hillwalking companions 

as they can be carried over stiles and 

don't require great lengths of walk. 

BEST FOR Energetic walks 

in the countryside, and owners 

who don’t expect ready-made 

good behaviour. 

POPULAR TERRIER BREEDS 

● Border Terrier 

● Bull Terrier 

● Jack Russell Terrier 

● Staffordshire Bull Terrier 

● West Highland Terrier 

POPULAR CROSSBREEDS 

● Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel & Poodle) 

● Labradoodle (Labrador 

Retriever & Poodle) 

● Mal-Shi (Maltese & Shih Tzu) 

● Schnoodle (Schnauzer 

& Poodle) 

● Yorkipoo (Yorkshire 

Terrier & 

Poodle) 

LHASA APSO 

DALMATIAN 

WEST 

HIGHLAND 

TERRIER 

COCKAPOO 

SCHNOODLE 


How to be best 

walking buddies 

Show your dog a good time, and they’ll 

return the favour – in spades. 

Photo: © John Warburton-Lee Photography / Alamy* 

Stop and take in the sights (and 

smells), take plenty of treats 

and play with your dog... 

8 BETTER WITH A DOG 2016

BE A GREAT OWNER | BETTER WITH A DOG 

Dogs love to explore the world, just like 

dog owners do. But to make sure a walk 

in the countryside is an equal pleasure 

for you both it’s important you take a 

dog’s eye view on the day’s events. Just like 

taking children for a walk, they need owners 

to interact with them to be happy and well 

behaved, and knowing and practising 

this is the difference between having 

a dog that runs off or one that stays close, 

responds well and is a rewarding sidekick. 

HOW FAR? 

While on average dogs benefit from two 

30-60 minute walks a day, plus some exercise 

at lunchtime, they can happily walk for 

longer if time allows. But there are limits 

based on age and breed and some dogs only 

want really short walks. The only way 

to know is to build up the walks slowly. 

Dramatically increasing a dog’s activity 

can lead them to enter potentially dangerous 

hypogylcaemia. Begin by just extending your 

daily walks so when the weekend comes you 

know what he can manage in the next step. 

TIME OUT 

Most people don’t like to walk all day nonstop 

(certainly not without breakfast!) and 

nor do most dogs. Stopping to enjoy the view, 

take in the smells and have a bite to eat is just 

as important to you both. If you’re going to be 

out all day make sure your dog has breakfast, 

and if they are highly driven, you may have 

to force them to take a break. Stopping is also 

a good way to assess how fit the two of you 

feel. If your dog falls asleep instantly or 

is stiff when you’re about to set off then 

perhaps the walk is a little too much for 

their state of fitness – take a shortcut home. 

FOOD AND DRINK 

If it’s a big day’s walk you’re planning, give 

them a breakfast. On the way use dog treats 

to sustain and to top up their recall training. 

At lunchtime give your dog some food of his 

own rather than worry about him pinching 

your own lunch or your walking companions’. 

On a hot summer’s day, try hard to choose 

a walk with an opportunity for a drink and 

a drench. If not, be sure to carry enough 

water for yourself and your dog – and for 

a bigger dog, like a labrador, that means 

not much less than you. 

SOMETHING TO DO 

Dogs get bored by owners pretty quickly 

if they’re ignored and then get into trouble 

for making their own entertainment like 

running off through the undergrowth or 

pestering other people. But dogs love to 

be with their owners and play with them, 

so all that most dogs want on a walk is for 

their owners to give them something to do. 

Playing ‘find it’ games, doing at least twenty 

recalls on a walk with a reward of praise, 

a toy or food, or playing hide and seek are all 

great ways to encourage dogs to keep an eye 

on you and want to stay close to you. Teach 

the dog that it’s always more fun to be 

close to you than on their own. 

CLEAR SIGNALS 

Dogs love to know what’s required of them 

so they can do the necessary to get the 

attention they crave. But it’s pretty hard for 

a dog to know what is expected if they don’t 

understand the signals we use. Use a system 

of three of four signals through the walk and 

then reward the dog with praise, attention, 

a game or food when they do as you ask. 

Most dogs just need to understand signals 

for come, sit, walk with you and leave 

something alone. Apart from that, owners 

don’t need to make any noise, which makes 

it easy for dog and owner to enjoy the walk. 

PLANNING 

Build in time for some off-lead play, away 

from livestock, and plan shortcuts on a long 

walk should you or your dog feel tired or if 

the weather changes for the worse. Carrying 

a chew toy, ball, or Frisbee means you can 

always engage him in the play that’s so 

important to your bond and his behaviour. 

But good planning also means thinking 

ahead by building up the clear signals you 

will need on a big walk well before you 

actually need them. Dogs are learning all 

day every day and they’re eager to behave in 

ways that earn them positive attention from 

their owner. It makes life much easier for 

all concerned if you put time into teaching 

your dog to follow basic signals even when 

at home on short walks to the park so that 

when you go for a bigger walk, your dog 

already knows what’s expected. 

Dogs have a great sense 

of direction – we’re just not 

sure they can map read... 

ANIKA NEUBERT – CUSTOMER SERVICES 

ASSISTANT AT OSPREY RUCKSACKS, WITH BUSTER 

Why’s walking 

better with 

Buster? 

Walking with Buster is 

a lot more adventurous. 

Buster is very curious 

and sometimes we 

let him take the lead. 

This makes every walk 

different even if you start 

off with your standard 

route. We make more of 

an effort to make walks 

more exciting for Buster 

as well and go to places 

where he can go wild 

and do things he enjoys 

like jumping through the 

river, running up hills, 

digging on the beach 

and bouncing through 

the mud. Seeing your 

pup enjoying himself 

makes every walk 

better and you don’t 

even realise how far 

you’ve walked! 


Woody’s first 

hill-walk 

Who wins in the battle of new dog v. first mountain? 

Well, everyone, discovers editor Guy Procter 

I 

love walking, and a dog that doesn’t count 

an ability to walk a long way among its 

core competencies is about as desirable 

to me as a three-stone hamster. So it was 

with scepticism I greeted the new family dog 

– a cocker spaniel. Woody didn’t look nearly 

as purposeful as his two predecessors – 

a Rough Collie-cross and a black Labrador 

– and he didn’t feel as robust on closer 

inspection either. He wore his fur like a 

loose-fitting garment, his eyes sagged and, 

unbelievably, his ears brushed the floor 

when he ate or drank. It was as if he’d been 

shoddily made late on a Friday afternoon. 

But in spite of his small size, I was told 

this was a dog that was meant to ‘do things’. 

And as we built up our walks together he did 

indeed seem to be a willing performer — his 

loose limbs commanding an effortless gallop. 

His ears continued to grow until they didn’t 

just brush his food but mopped up half the 

water in his bowl, but slowly I stopped seeing 

them as ridiculous, and like anything 

familiar he just started to look like himself. 

He might not be as strong as a Lab but his 

energy wasn’t lacking. And nor was his 

gumption — Woody was able to negotiate 

kissing gates and gaps in hedges that were 

THE GREAT RIDGE 

This Peak District route 

is a rite of passage for 

walkers and waggers. 


WOODY’S FIRST HILL WALK | BETTER WITH A DOG 

to our last dog bewildering obstacles. With 

his lithe body, wagging tail and energy, 

Woody was shaping up to be a promising 

partner in adventure. Our ambitions grew. 

We planned a hill-walk in the Peak 

District, a few hours from home, and possibly 

a bit ambitious for his first proper day. But it 

isn’t every day we get a pass out for the hills, 

so it seemed a shame not to make it count. 

Hedging against flagging interest from my 

son, I made it a point-to-point, rather than 

a circular walk. You can get further when 

what’s round the corner stays unknown. But 

that meant we’d need to catch a train back 

to the start of the walk – fun for us, another 

potentially terrifying first for Woody. How 

would he fare, approaching his first birthday, 

with a walk getting on for three times the 

usual length, many times the ups and downs, 

the sheep, the weather and a ride on what 

might as well have been a spaceship? 

We were about to find out. 

UP AND AT ’EM 

Into the car at 6am, Woody took up his back 

window vigil while we prepared for two 

hours of early morning radio (dog no idea 

where he’s going; DJ no idea who’s listening.) 

Arriving at tiny Hope railway station, 

in the heart of the High Peak, the weather 

alternated feeble sun and feeble rain. And 

quickly the fretting about Woody and the 

"WHAT'S UP HERE THEN?" 

enormity of the adventure we were taking 

him on began to reveal itself as so much 

human vanity. The well-worn track that 

leads from the village of Hope to Lose Hill 

(the first of three peaks in our sights that 

day) was melted Mars Bar muddy but it 

wasn’t him who was struggling. Coating 

ourselves in goo, we lifted him over stile 

after stile before we realised he could do 

better without our help. 

But the worst part of a hill-walk is 

always the first – as you worry you’re on 

the right track, curse the tourists (you’re 

never one of them) who churn up the 

start of popular paths like this and fuss 

that you’re either too hot or too cold. 

"COME ON, KEEP UP!" 

"WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT?" 


LOOK AFTER 

THOSE PAWS 

Woody takes the ‘high road’ 

to ensure his feet stay dry. 

A DOG’S EYE VIEW 

Looking across from 

Mam Tor to Lord’s Seat. 

Then there’s the uncertainty about sheep, 

and What Your Dog Will Do, which adds to 

the funk of the first half-mile. 

But like a duck raising its undercarriage 

and becoming sleek in flight, so gaining 

height dignifies the whole endeavour. All you 

have to do is walk upwards and tell yourself 

how much fun you’re having – and what a 

great example Woody was setting of that. 

Up, down, over there, over here, nose and 

ears brushing the ground, speed-reading 

the scenery, his attention careering from 

one thing to the next. Against a background 

of pure novelty, sheep didn’t seem to stand 

out, though we kept him on lead when close. 

Perhaps he thought they were just old dogs. 

The ridge we were on – which joins Lose 

Hill, Hollins Cross and Mam Tor – is popular 

with walkers of all sorts, and on this bright, 

breezy day there was a steady stream of 

human and canine traffic to draw Woody’s 

attention. And always the chance of a 

dropped snack. We made good progress, soon 

abandoning the notion the dog’s energy 

reserves might have to be monitored. 

PEAK FITNESS 

Mam Tor was thick with bodies. Some people 

think hill-walking is about getting away from 

crowds and finding splendid isolation, and 

sometimes it is, but it’s as often about sharing 

with like minds moments of quiet celebration 

and modest achievement. Woody certainly 

didn’t mind blundering into this unexpected 

copse of humanity, from the canopy of 

which faces smiled and crumbs fell. 

Not far down from the top, the road 

between Edale and Chapel-en-le-Frith 

crosses the ridge and it’s an easy escape route 

back into the valley. But it didn’t take long to 

agree the three of us had one more mountain 

left in our legs, and we were soon climbing 

again, en route for the summit – impossibly 

distant in the haze when seen from the 

beginning of the walk – of Lord’s Seat. 

Being so lofty yet so close to a road, this 


WOODY’S FIRST HILL WALK | BETTER WITH A DOG 

is a popular launching spot for paragliders 

and parascenders, and we were soon 

accompanied by the rippling of their wings 

as we made our way to the summit. Woody 

paid them no attention, even as they wheeled 

close and low on the hill’s steep side. He 

may have been brooding on the snarl 

he’d copped from a Collie we’d passed. 

There are no crowds on top of Lord’s Seat, 

just a great view looking down the head of 

the Edale valley and across to the hulking 

massif of the Kinder Plateau. From here, 

with most of the day’s walking — and all of 

the ascent – behind us, everything seemed 

possible. Many more days of adventure, any 

challenge we could set ourselves — and it was 

in that spirit we decided to make our own 

way off the mountain, rather than following 

the path. Steep, rather than steady, about 

sums up the difference, with Woody dragging 

us into bumslides on the hill’s grassy side. 

We reached the valley floor chuckling and 

puffing before thinking to check the time. 

Twenty past three – scarcely ten minutes 

for us to make it the mile to Edale station and 

our ride back to the car. We ran. And only one 

of us – the one without boots or seemingly 

any trace of fatigue in his legs – found it easy. 

But we made it, and in the six minutes it 

took the train to undo the entire distance 

we’d walked, we enjoyed the stillness and 

effortlessness of the motion like connoisseurs. 

Needless to say, Woody took the whole 

BY RIDGE AND BY RAIL 

A short train ride turns a linear walk into a loop. 

locomotion thing – like everything about our 

exhilarating, exhausting walk – in his stride. 

Back at the car we fed and watered the dog 

and congratulated ourselves on our boldness 

and our luck (we hadn’t even seen anyone 

from whom to buy a ticket). And then we 

drove home – no sign of Woody keeping 

watch at the back window this time 

– with thoughts of more adventures 

breeding, and the little, yet not so little, 

companion who we were now confident 

would share them. 

u Dogs in the hills: turn over 

for the experts’ tips 

WOODY 

TODAY 

A year on we search 

in vain for limits to his 

energy. 20 miles? Not a 

problem (just bring him 

lunch). Stiles? He can 

skip up and over most. 

His recall is brilliant 

(I mean he comes back 

when called, not that 

he remembers PIN 

numbers) and though 

he’s prudently shy of tall 

men and electric fences, 

he’s up for anything. 


HILL WALKING | BETTER WITH A DOG 

Happy in the hills 

The hills offer the biggest opportunities for pleasure and peril 

for the two of you. Here’s how to stay on top on the big walks. 

DOG COMFORT 

Dogs are as prone as we are to extremes 

of heat and cold, hunger and dehydration. 

Carry water for the dog to drink, unless 

you’re certain of streams, and on baking days 

consider a pre-soakable cool coat (£20-30) 

that can have a chilling effect on your dog 

for hours. Conversely, it’s not nannying 

to provide your dog with a fleece-lined, 

waterproof coat on cold, wet and windy 

walks. Keep their blood sugar levels topped 

up like your own with regular snacks. 

DOG CONTROL 

Dogs need to be under control to prevent 

them from pestering other dogs, people, 

livestock and wildlife. Officially a dog is ‘out 

of control’ if it doesn’t follow your signals, so 

if this sounds familiar then the dog should be 

clipped to a lead to provide a guarantee. 

Keep training! 

DOG ACCESS 

Dogs are allowed to walk on footpaths 

described as rights of way. When using the 

right to roam across open access land where 

there are no footpaths, there are still some 

restrictions on owners who must keep 

their dogs on leads between 1st March 

and 31st July to protect groundnesting 

birds, and all year 

round near livestock. 

LIVESTOCK 

Dogs aren’t allowed to chase 

or worry livestock, and a 

farmer can shoot a dog that 

even looks like it’s about to 

do either. Always put your 

dog on a lead near livestock 

and practise at least 20 recalls 

on every walk when your dog 

Having control of your 

dog on the hillside 

is of paramount 

importance. 

is off lead so you can get your dog back 

if a stray animal appears where it’s not 

supposed or expected to be. But if farm 

animals chase you and your dog while 

he’s on the lead, let him off rather than 

trying to carry or drag the dog away. 

DOG MESS 

Public spaces can have dog access 

restricted by local authorities, and the 

most common reason for that to happen 

is dog mess. So it’s in our interest to always 

‘pick up and bag’ on walks – and sainthood 

awaits those who do the same with anyone 

else’s they find. Poo bags left on the path, 

in trees or on walls invite a hasty ban. 

WORMING 

Dogs can pick up all kinds of diseases in the 

countryside so it’s important they’re wormed 

to prevent them giving the nasties a free ride. 

COLLAR AND TAG 

Dogs sometimes get lost on hill-walks and 

end up far from their owners. A collar and 

tag containing your contact details allows 

a quick return, and by law dogs are 

required to have a tag attached 

to a collar even if they are chipped. 

DOGS IN CARS 

Dogs’ body temperature is 1-3˚C 

higher than our own, and they 

have far fewer sweat glands 

to micro-manage it (mainly 

in their paws). Left in a hot 

car with no cool surfaces their 

bodies are quickly overwhelmed. 

Always find a place to rest after 

a walk where the dog can come 

and sit with you in the shade 

with a bowl of water. 

OLI REED – SENIOR COMMUNITY MANAGER 

AT VIEWRANGER, WITH MARIO 

If it hadn’t 

been for a dog 

I wouldn’t have... 

…walked a minimum 

of an hour a day, every 

day, for the last nine 

years. I also wouldn't 

have had an excuse to 

get outside at any time 

of day or night, in any 

weather, any time I felt 

like it. And I wouldn’t 

have had a little buddy 

at my side to share 

some of the most 

magical and enjoyable 

experiences of my life. 

We’ve camped on top 

of Scottish mountains 

together, smashed 

through snowdrifts, 

swum in seas, lochs, 

lakes and rivers, 

watched golden sunrises 

and sunsets, and 

generally had the time 

of our lives. No matter 

what’s going on in my 

life or what kind of day 

I’ve had, Mario is the 

constant. He’s always 

happy to see me, 

always in a good mood, 

always up for it, and 

always excited about 

our next adventure. 

I couldn’t imagine 

my life without him. 


Photo ©Christoph Schöch 

AERGON GRIP 

WRIST STRAP 

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UPPER SECTION 

LOCKING MECHANISM 

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STOCKIST INFO 

ADMIN@ARDBLAIRSPORTS.COM | 01250 873863 

WWW.LEKI.COM

COMPETITION | BETTER WITH A DOG 

Is your 

dog the next 

Missing Millie? 

Take a better you-and-your-dog selfie than the 

one below and thousands of readers could 

be looking for YOUR dog every month. 

We’ve lost our dog Millie in the 

pages of Country Walking every 

issue for the past nine years. 

Thankfully, each time readers 

have found her. She’s turned up 

on the Isle of Mull, in a cave in the 

Peak District, driving a tank, on 

top of Leith Hill Tower and digging 

in a graveyard, and frankly it’s time 

we gave the old girl a rest. 

So we’re looking for a replacement. 

Not just any dog either, but a dog with 

a very particular set of skills. The new 

Millie must be, first and foremost, 

a brilliant walking buddy. They must 

be able to able to deliver a dog-andowner 

selfie that makes us smile. And 

they must have a proven interest in 

country walking. Does that sound like 

your dog? Then take a picture of you 

and your hound, and then visit the 

address below on your computer 

or mobile device. 10 shortlisted 

dogs will win a Dexas Snack-Du0 

combined water bottle and treat 

carrier. One winning dog will be 

the successor to the marvellous, 

directionally-challenged Millie! 

PRIZE DETAILS 

SHORTLISTED DOGS 

Our 10 favourite 

dogs will each win a 

revolutionary Dexas 

Snack-DuO from 

America (£16.99) 

which combines a 

360ml water chamber 

and an 8oz snack cup 

in one handy bottle. 

THE WINNING DOG 

● A studio photoshoot with 

your dog at Country Walking’s 

Peterborough HQ (NB – you’ll 

have to get yourselves here) 

● Meet the CW team (or at least 

whoever’s not out walking!) 

● Your dog will become the 

new Millie on the pages 

of CW for 12 months! 

HOW THE WINNER 

WILL BE PICKED 

A shortlist of 10 dog/owner selfies 

will be drawn up by the impartial 

CW editorial team. The shortlisted 

entries will go into a speciallyconceived 

lottery-type device 

and Millie herself will select 

the winner in a videoed ceremony 

available to both international 

monitors and the general public 

on www.lfto.com soon after... 

Happy with all that? Visit this page to enter now! 

www.lfto.com/thenewmillie 


Kit focus 

Key bits of clever dog clobber can make a big 

Key bits of clever dog clobber can make a big 

difference to your walking experience. 

ROAD 

REFRESHER 

DOG BOWL 

£10 

This no-spill, droolreducing 

design is 

astonishingly effective, 

making it a boon in the 

car and at home. Brim it 

with water and head off 

to the hills and you’re 

guranteed a hydrated 

mutt and a bone-dry 

boot. It’s also just the 

job while staying 

away at campsites, 

hotels or round at 

a fussy in-law’s. 

www.roadrefresher.com 

MIKKI DELUXE TRAINING 

TREAT BAG £7.50 

Treats are the key to ingraining good behaviour in 

dogs so you should take some on every walk, 

particularly in the early days. They continue 

to be a powerful weapon against 

distractions. Using a treat bag like 

this one with its snap open/close 

access saves your pockets 

and means treats 

are available when 

you need them. 

www.mikkipet. 

co.uk 

ANCOL 

HERITAGE 

ROPE SLIP 

LEAD 

FROM £5.99 

If your dog loses its collar or 

it breaks while you’re out on 

a walk then you’re in trouble 

without a back-up. A simple rope slip effort like this is 

a lead and collar in one and ideal for getting your dog 

leashed fast. It’s small, light and easily packed until needed. 

www.petplanet.co.uk 

CLIX RECALL 

LINE £8 

Good recall is 

the cornerstone 

of enjoyable dog 

ownership, and the best 

place to practise recalls 

is on a walk. Twenty 

each time you’re out 

is good! A line like this 

allows your dog a little 

more freedom while 

guaranteeing you’re 

in ultimate control. 

www.companyof 

animals.co.uk 

RELIVET PET 

FIRST AID KIT £7.50 

Bandages, antiseptic wipes, 

dressings, scissors and more. 

You won’t realise you needed 

one... until you need one. 

www.johnuttleyfirstaid.com 

BECO POCKET POO-BAG 

DISPENSER £5.99 

The number one item every dog needs their owner 

to carry, because they’re no good at picking up 

poo themselves. Beco have won awards for their 

products made from natural fibres and recycled 

material and these handy dispensers bungee 

to your lead and come with 15 of their 

biodegradable bags (£4.99 for 120). 

www.becopet.com/beco-poop 


KIT FOCUS | BETTER WITH A DOG 

RUFFWEAR WEB 

MASTER HARNESS 

£65 

This indestructible harness 

allows you to safely, strongly 

and comfortably attach 

your dog to the lead, and 

lift him briefcase-like over 

any obstacle. The Scotchlite 

reflective trim also helps you 

keep tabs on your walking 

partner in the dark. 

www.ruffwear.com 

JIM Mc NAMARA –MANAGING DIRECTOR 

AT CRAGHOPPERS, WITH F R I E DA 

RUFFWEAR 

BIVI BOWL £25 

Virtually weightless 

collapsible weldedfabric 

water bowl. 

Easy to pack down 

for long walks so 

your dog can lap it 

up when he needs it. 

www.ruffwear.com 

HALTI ALL-IN-ONE LEAD £15.99 

This new lead from Halti can be used conventionally or 

worn belt-style with a slide of its adjustable clasp, leaving 

you hands-free for map-reading or rucksack rummaging. 

It has a comfy neoprene handle and a shock-absorbing 

section to protect you both from jolts too. 

www.companyofanimals.co.uk 

DICKY BAG 

£21-£30 

DEPENDING 

ON SIZE 

Don’t be a tree-hanger: 

put a full poo-bag in this 

handy pouch until you can 

find a bin. The pouch has 

a zipped opening and can 

be attached easily to your 

rucksack. CW readers can 

use the code FREE-79 to get 

a £6.50 carrying strap free. 

www.dickybag.com 

What does a dog 

do for you? 

We’ve always had dogs 

but swore we wouldn’t 

get another when our 

Border Collie died four 

years ago... until a year 

later when Frieda came 

on the scene. She was 

a rescued street dog 

from Bulgaria, found and 

cared for by an English 

couple. When the couple 

came back to England, 

she had to be re-homed 

so we agreed to have 

her and she has been 

the best thing that has 

happened to us. We 

take her on at least 

two good walks every 

day with a smaller one 

in the evening. We’ve 

never been so fit! 

We love Anglesey, 

where there are some 

fantastic walks, in 

particular the walk from 

Cemaes to Llanbadrig 

– up the road and back 

along the coastal path. 

Frieda loves to stop at 

White Lady Bay and 

have a paddle. Another 

favourite walk is around 

Rhoscolyn. We couldn’t 

imagine life without her. 

EQUAFLEECE DOG JUMPER FROM £15 

Quickly warms up a wet dog and shields your car’s interior 

from the worst of the post-walk canine muddiness. Allows 

him to dry comfily on the drive home, and protects your 

sofas, carpets and beds when you get there! (As modelled 

by Woody on page 10.) www.equafleece.co.uk 

METAL SCREW-IN 

DOG STAKE £1.99 

Peace of mind if you’re camping 

or picnicking and don’t want your 

dog wandering around unchecked. 

A 10ft tie-out cable (sold separately 

or together for about £6) gives 

them plenty of pottering room. 

www.amazon.co.uk 


YourF.A.Qs 

Stuff walkers want to know about man’s best friend. 

Photo: © David Cook/blueshiftstudios / Alamy* 

WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE 

FOR THE OWNER OF A NEW PUPPY? 

Get them socialised and familiar with 

the world. The window for getting dogs 

socialised closes around 16-18 weeks, 

and if they don’t like dogs by that time 

they never will. Enrol them in classes 

and let them meet as many dogs as you 

can. If they meet a dog that nips, don’t 

make a big deal of it just move on – it’ll 

teach the pup to be more careful. Just 

make sure they meet more friendly 

dogs. Puppy stage is when you want 

to get the recall and basic commands 

taught too – what you put in at this 

age you get back for their entire life. 

Get them used to their own company. 

Get a dog crate and let them sleep in it at 

night. They may whine for a few nights 

but it will stop and you’ll have a dog that 

is happy being on its own – it’s important 

for a pup to learn that that’s okay. 

Finally, get them used to the car 

early on. For many pups the only time 

they enter the car is to go to a vet, which 

leaves a bad experience they’ll associate 

with the car. Take them to exciting and 

fun places early on. The car is good! 

MY DOG LOVES TO PLAY WITH OTHER 

DOGS BUT SOMETIMES OTHER DOGS 

BARK AT HIM WHAT SHOULD I DO? 

Not all dogs enjoy being run up 

to any more than we would enjoy 

someone we’ve never met before 

running up to us and jumping around 

as if we’d been friends for years. So 

it’s always best to control meetings 

with other dogs by calling your own 

dog back and then walking calmly 

up to them. It’s normally quite easy 

to read the body language of other 

owners even from a distance. 

If they see you and pull their dog 

in and tense up then that’s a cue 

to get your own dog on the lead 

before any problems arise. 

MY DOG SHAKES AND TRIES 

TO RUN HOME WHEN WE 

HEAR GUNSHOTS ON WALKS. 

WHAT SHOULD I DO? 

Anything that makes a dog really 

afraid may make it want to flee, 

and if you prevent it from moving 

away from the source of its fear, 

it may become more fearful 

and even use aggression to try 

to escape. Move away together 

at first, and see if the dog will take 

a treat (and your reassurance) to 

make the experience less 

stressful over time. 

CAN I TAKE MY DOG CAMPING? 

Yes. Dogs love camping and as long 

as owners clean up after their pets 

and don’t allow them to disturb other 

campers, they’re often welcome in 

campsites. But always ask in advance 

– they may also have specific places 

for campers with dogs. 

CAN I STOP MY DOG CHASING SHEEP? 

Very often dogs that do chase sheep 

have learned it’s more interesting than 

listening to their owners. The key is to 

make being recalled fun and rewarding 

and practising, practising, practising it. 

Try it first at home with no distractions. 

Once perfected there, try in the garden 

before moving up to the local park. 

If you can’t get it right, try again in the 

garden then return to the park. Once 

perfect, you can up the game by going 

somewhere new. Anywhere new, at first 

keep the dog on a lead and do at least 20 

recalls (all for treats) on every walk. If 

you’re unable to control the dog around 

livestock, even with extensive drilling, 

then contact a professional trainer. 

Photo: © Jack Hobhouse / Alamy* Photo: © Juniors Bildarchiv GmbH / Alamy* 


YOUR QUESTIONS | BETTER WITH A DOG 

MY DOG BARKS AT OTHER DOGS. 

WHAT SHOULD I DO? 

Photo: © Life on white / Alamy* 

Dogs bark at other dogs for many 

reasons, including fear and simply 

frustration that they cannot get to 

them quickly enough to play with. 

Often they’ve got used to barking 

over time. A good rule of thumb is to 

ignore the bad behaviour and reward 

the good. Punishment may reinforce 

the barking. In the first instance you 

can move away from other dogs and 

reward your dog for coming with you. 

In the next, distract him by waving 

a toy as the other dogs pass. 

IS IT REALLY NOT OKAY TO THROW 

STICKS FOR MY DOG ANYMORE? 

Throwing sticks can very 

occasionally cause horrific 

injuries to dogs, involving 

damage to the dog’s mouth or 

throat. It’s far from a certainty 

your dog will get hurt 

chasing a stick, but 

it is certain he’ll 

never have his life 

threatened by 

a tennis ball. 

ARE LANDOWNERS OBLIGED TO 

MAKE STILES DOG-FRIENDLY? 

No. The right of way only applies to you; 

your dog is merely there as a ‘natural 

accompaninent’ to you. He has no 

rights of his own in respect of the path. 

Photo: © Winston Link / Alamy* 

IS IT OK TO TAKE MY DOG ALONG HIGH 

MOUNTAIN RIDGES SUCH AS STRIDING EDGE? 

It all depends on your ability to control your dog 

and your dog’s ability to negotiate the terrain 

safely. Plenty of dogs do negotiate this ridge 

happily and plenty of others become quite 

a handful. So like their owners, it’s all down 

to the individual, and Striding Edge is not the 

place to find out for the first time whether you’re 

both comfortable on rocky, exposed terrain. 

DO I HAVE TO HAVE MY DOG ON A LEAD 

IN THE COUNTRYSIDE? 

There’s no law which says that a dog must 

be kept on a lead when using a public right 

of way, but local authorities can make orders 

under section 27 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 

to make it a requirement on specific paths. 

Photo: © Rebecca Cole / Alamy* 

STEVE GOODIER – CW ROUTES WRITER, HAS YOGI 

THE JAPANESE HUSKY & BLANKET THE SHAR PEI 

What’s so good 

about walking 

with a dog? 

It starts the night before 

when the rucksacks are 

packed in the car. You 

try to do it secretly but 

somehow the dogs 

always seem to know! 

And then the panting, 

hopping around and 

running in circles begins. 

For them the walk has 

already started! By the 

next morning they are 

frantic with anticipation. 

Into the car and off to 

the hills we go. Fact is, 

they love a day in the 

mountains more than 

we do! For them it’s all 

about the exercise, the 

smells, sounds, buttie 

scrounging at the 

summit cairn, playing 

with other dogs and 

meeting new people. 

And just you try to go 

down early! A look over 

their shoulder is enough 

to provoke a change of 

mind and the inclusion of 

a further top – we’ve lots 

to thank them for really! 

Photo: © nobleIMAGES / Alamy*

BETTER WITH A DOG | YOUR QUESTIONS 

HOW DO I KNOW I CAN TRUST 

A PROFESSIONAL DOG WALKER? 

Ask them these questions: 1) Are 

you insured and police checked? 

If something goes wrong and the 

dog walker is at fault they need 

to be insured to cover any vet’s bills 

or damage – or else you will. Police 

check certificates show clients if 

the dog walker (who may well need 

access to your house) has any criminal 

convictions. 2) Can I join you for a 

walk? See for yourself how the dog 

walker handles dogs, see the dogs and 

the environment your dog will be placed 

in and see for yourself if you are happy 

or not. 3) How many dogs go on a walk? 

Insurance covers up to six dogs at 

a time. If they take more, they won’t 

be covered (or in control). 

IS IT SAFE TO WALK WITH MY DOG NEAR CLIFFS? 

Cliff walks are bracing and offer spectacular views, 

but dogs are not good at knowing where the land 

ends. So for their safety it’s important you take 

the same precautions as you would with a child. 

Photo: © David Lyons / Alamy* 

Photo: © Juice Images / Alamy* 

Photo: © Mint Images Limited / Alamy* 

SHOULD I JOIN A CLUB? 

Are you someone who loves 

walking with their dog, rather 

than a dog-lover above all else? 

Joining a community dog group 

(whether based on locality or 

breed) on Facebook is a quick 

way to put you in touch with 

experienced dog owners. You 

might find you can get the advice 

and info you need there without 

having to join a club. 

HOW CAN I GET MY DOG TO COME BACK WHEN 

CALLED, AS HE ALWAYS IGNORES ME ON WALKS? 

Dogs get bored easily and the countryside 

is packed with interesting smells which 

they love to explore. Only by becoming more 

interesting than the environment will the 

dog form the habit of wanting to stay close 

to you and listen to your signals above all 

else. Multiple recalls on every walk with the 

reward of playing with a toy, getting some 

food or some praise and strokes is a good 

place to start. If you don’t see improvement 

and the dog is ignoring your signals, there’s 

no shame in getting professional assistance. 

● Association of Pet Behaviour counsellors: 

www.apbc.org.uk 

● Animal Behaviour and Training 

Council: www.abtcouncil.org.uk 

● Institude of Modern 

Dog Trainers: 

www.imdt.uk.com 

IS IT OK FOR MY DOG TO DRINK 

ANY WATER IT FINDS ON A WALK? 

Clean running mountain streams are likely 

to be cleaner than stagnant ponds so some care 

is needed. A quick look to see if the water looks 

reasonably clean is a useful start and if in doubt 

carry a water bottle and bowl for your dog. Be 

cautious near industrial areas, garages and 

farmland, which may have chemicals in the water. 

Photo: 

© D. Hurst / Alamy* 

HANNAH JAMES – OFFICE MANAGER FOR 

COUNTRY WALKING, WITH HER SPANIEL POPPY 

What's so good 

about walking 

with a dog? 

They’re great 

companions, keeping 

you company when you 

may want some head 

space while providing 

unending fun (or trouble 

in the case of my 

spaniel). They’re so full 

of life and character it’s 

a delight to be a part of 

it. I feel any stress from 

the day melt away. Their 

need for daily exercise 

is also great motivation 

on those days when you 

really don’t want to get 

out of the house, and 

ninety-nine times out of 

a hundred I feel so much 

better for having the 

fresh air and leg stretch. 


DIRECTORY | BETTER WITH A DOG 

Useful resources 

Rehoming, training, walking, holidaying with... 

all the doggy details you could ever need. 

DOG-FRIENDLY 

WALKING ROUTES 

There are 27 routes in every 

issue of Country Walking 

and you’ll find most are 

great for dog walking. 

The number of stiles 

is always stated. 

The National Trust 

recommends dog friendly 

trails on its land (www. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/ 

features/best-places-fordog-walking) 

as does the 

Forestry Commission 

(www.forestry.gov.uk/dogs) 

and English Heritage 

(bit.ly/EHDogFriendly). 

Countryside Books 

publishes a range of dog 

walk route guides (www. 

countrysidebooks.co.uk), 

as does Wet Nose Publishing 

(www.countrysidedogwalks. 

co.uk) and Walking with 

Boomerang (www. 

bestdogwalksuk.com) 

Professional walkers 

ensure your dog gets 

the exercise it needs 

on the days you can’t 

make it out. 

DOG-FRIENDLY 

PLACES TO VISIT 

Dog Friendly is the UK’s 

largest database of places 

to stay and visit with your 

dog, with 27,000 entries, 

and basic access to the 

information is free: 

www.dogfriendly.co.uk 

REHOME A DOG 

The UK’s largest dog 

charity, the Dogs Trust, has 

over 1000 dogs available for 

rehoming. You can search by 

location, size, breed and age: 

www.dogstrust.org.uk/ 

rehoming 

DIY DOG TRAINING 

The Dogs Trust offers 

free dog behaviour and 

training information: 

www.dogstrust.org.uk/ 

help-advice 

CAMPING 

WITH DOGS 

Advice from the experts at 

the Camping & Caravanning 

Club, and their top 5 

recommended sites: 

bit.ly/CampingWithCanines 

FIND A VET 

Via the Royal College 

of Veterinary Surgeons at: 

www.findavet.rcvs.org.uk 

DOGGIE PUBS 

A list of pubs throughout 

the UK that welcome 

dogs – also available as 

an app for your Apple 

or Android phone. 

www.doggiepubs.org.uk 

NATIONAL PARK 

RESOURCES 

Several National Parks 

produce useful information 

for dog owners: 

● New Forest 

www.bit.ly/dogsnewforest 

● Dartmoor 

www.bit.ly/dogsdartmoor 

● Exmoor 

www.bit.ly/dogsexmoor 

● Lake District 

www.bit.ly/dogslakedistrict 

● Peak District 

www.bit.ly/dogspeakdistrict 

● Yorkshire Dales 

www.bit.ly/dogsdales 

● North York Moors 

www.bit.ly/ 

dogsnorthyorkmoors 

DOG-FRIENDLY 

FORESTS 

The Forestry Commission 

has very useful guides on 

how and where to enjoy 

the woods with your dog: 

www.forestry.gov.uk/dogs 

PET-SITTING 

Find a trusted local via 

www.pawshake.co.uk or 

www.uk.dogbuddy.com 

FIND A TRUSTED 

DOG TRAINER 

Like our Cumbria-based 

resident expert Graham 

Thomspon (www. 

thompsonoutdoor.co.uk), 

via the Animal Behaviour 

and Training Council 

(ABTC), the regulatory 

body that represents 

trainers who hold the 

highest standards 

of care with respect 

to the psychological 

wellbeing of dogs in training: 

www.abtcouncil.org.uk/ 

clinical-animalbehaviourists.html 

FIND A TRUSTED 

DOG WALKER 

Like our supplement 

consultant Jamie Shanks 

(www.bdws.co.uk). The 

biggest directory is at 

www.thegooddogguide.com/ 

dog-walkers but your local 

Facebook pages are good too. 

DOG-FRIENDLY 

BEACHES 

A list of dog-friendly beaches 

and access information 

throughout the UK and 

Ireland www.nearestbeach. 

co.uk/dog-friendly 

DOGS & THE YHA 

The YHA has just begun 

welcoming dogs at its 60 

hostels which offer camping 

pods, cabins, tipis, bell tents 

and pitch-your-own-tent 

facilities. www.yha.org.uk

Country Walking Better with a Dog

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