Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Welfare and Responsible Dog Walking

Dog walking is the primary exercise and enrichment opportunity for many dogs. Responsible walking practices respect dog welfare, wildlife and other people while maximising welfare benefits.

Key Facts

Sniffing during walks provides cognitive enrichment exceeding that of physical exercise alone
Off-lead walking in appropriate areas allows natural locomotion and social interaction
Wildlife disturbance from dogs off-lead during nesting season can destroy breeding success
Ground-nesting birds including curlew and lapwing are especially vulnerable to dog disturbance
Reward-based recall training enables safe off-lead walking in appropriate environments

Welfare Considerations

Responsible dog walking balances the welfare needs of dogs with obligations to wildlife and other users of shared spaces. Informed, considerate walking supports dog welfare while protecting vulnerable wildlife.

What You Can Do

Keep dogs on leads in areas with ground-nesting birds between March and August
Invest in positive reward-based recall training to enable safe off-lead exercise
Allow your dog sufficient sniffing time during walks as a primary welfare benefit