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 and 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 take a look at the Accommodation Page to find places which happily accept you and your dogs.

WALKING Start slowly and build up the distance over weeks, and do wear sensible shoes or walking boots
and take care of your dog's feet, check for scratches, cuts, grass seeds between the toes and ticks.
Carry a small First Aid Kit for your dog Click here for our online accessories page
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All dog owners have a responsibiity to not allow their dog to foul indiscriminately,
carry poo bags and dispose of them responsibly.
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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 the 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,
you are legally required to control your dog.
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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.
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Carry water for both your and your pet. You can buy collapsible bowls or a combined container/bowl for your dog.
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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.
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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: RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Accidents happen to dogs too!
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You should 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.
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Pack a bag for your dog too; bedding, towels, toys, first aid kit, collapsible bowls and water containers are all useful.
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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.
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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.
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Find out the contact numbers of the veterinary surgeries in the area you will be going to
www.any-uk-vet.co.uk
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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 a list of qualifying countries visit
www.defra.co.uk

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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