There’s nothing more gutting than booking a trip for the weekend, finding the perfect location, ideal activities, and beautiful accommodation, and it turns out the hotel or Airbnb is not dog-friendly. Or strolling along a picturesque beach with your furry friends, just to be heckled by a disgruntled local because it’s a dog-free beach.

If this has ever happened to you, you will understand the frustration. Often it is a small few that ruin it for a well-behaved majority. This feature will shed light on some of the niche details that every dog owner should be aware of when exploring the UK. Based on the opinion of myself and advice from a trained professional.

With 53% of the UK owning a pet , 29% of which being dogs, I am willing to bet some of you had wished you knew more about utilising the Beautiful Great British countryside.

Finding the right place

There is a myriad of dog-friendly options available, and you might be surprised by the high standards of cleanliness they maintain despite allowing pets. I’ve visited several myself. However, one of the main challenges is the search process for finding these canine-friendly places. Using the ‘dog-friendly’ filter tool when perusing the options on Airbnb and Booking.com can be one way to tackle this.

Furthermore, a handy website called BringFido.co.uk will show you dog-friendly options in destinations of your choice. Taking the form of activities, hiking trails and stores that allow dogs within your desired location. You can also find out the pet fee and how many pets are allowed.

This is not just ideal for when you and your companion are venturing into the outdoors, it is also a useful tool to use within the city; showing parks, hotels and cafes that are happy to host your four-legged friends.

You don’t want to find yourself in the situation I have been in. Staying in an establishment with a strict one dog per hotel room policy, then sneaking my two border collies in one at a time hoping the receptionist wouldn’t notice.

A lot of campsites will be dog-friendly, but you’d be surprised how many aren’t. Be sure to check the details before you go. No matter where you are staying.

Travelling safe

I’m sure every dog owner prioritises their dog’s safety and well-being. But there are little things that owners can utilise to make their life and their dog’s life easier.

Small things like bringing a collapsible dog bowl, when taking longer trips in the sun, a hands-free lead for the more active dog owner, or investing in a more comfortable harness for your dog can make spending time outdoors with your dog hassle free and more enjoyable.

Everywhere you are travelling to in the UK will posses a different problem or danger. I’m not saying you shouldn’t go anywhere in the country, but there are elements to be considered when travelling around the UK with your pooch.

In certain areas, where there are plenty of livestock in heathlands and meadows, ticks are likely to be found. ticks can cause a number of diseases, the main being Lyme disease. It’s a little hard to keep your dog from venturing along the edges of the path where they mind find themselves attaching, so checking your dog over is a must.

In the eventuality that you do find a Tick, you can get handy vet-advised tools that aid in picking off Ticks, but tweezers can be just as effective when used correctly.

Jeff Walton, decorated dog trainer, said: “When picking a Tick, you want to keep the head attached to the body because cases of the disease occur when the body is pulled from the head and the head remains burrowed in the skin.

“Clenching the tweezer as close to the skin as possible and pulling the direction the head went in is the most effective way. And always make sure to clean the wound.”

Doggy Etiquette

I hope what I am about to inform you in the next sentence is not news to you. But every dog owner should have a poo bag to hand, I know that over the years I have walked the dogs in pretty much every item of clothing I own, so much so that I could dip my hands into any coat pocket at home and nine times out of 10 there will be a poo bag waiting for me. Nobody likes stepping in dog poop, nobody likes looking at dog poop, and nobody wants to deal with someone else’s dog poop. It can ruin a picturesque walk and give responsible owners a bad name.

Anyway, rant over. When travelling with our furry friends, it is always a smart idea to pay attention to where you are heading, signs on gates are always important. Consider whether there is livestock in the fields and the dogs are required to be placed on the lead. This is for both the safety of the dogs and the livestock.

While there is a misconception that farmers can go around shooting dogs that are not on the lead, under the Protection of Livestock Act 1953, farmers can take any actionable means if they believe there is no other way of getting the dog under control. Therefore, keeping them on the lead around livestock is a precaution all owners should take.

Activities

CaniCross is a prime example of a fun activity that can be shared between a dog and its handler. With both the dog and the owner wearing a comfortable and padded harness, they embark in a run. This provides physical exercise, socialisation, stimulation, and bonding for both the dog and their companion. Alternatively, if you and your dog seek more thrills, the activity can be done on a bike. I must stress that you seek training and advice before embarking on this activity. Furthermore, this activity is not for everyone, I know that I can’t do this with my collie ‘Mouse’ because she hates bikes, and if I begin to run she stands in front of me and barks her head off in my direction.

Another activity I highly recommend is, Dog Agility, something that I have been competing with my dog Mouse for the best part of ten years now. The dog navigates obstacles with the help of the handler. This exciting sport is both mentally and physically demanding and tests you relationship with your canine. Once more, it should be advised that you do this with a trainer or seek training before trying it at home.

Jeff, said: “Dog Agility is so much fun for the dog and owner. No matter the ability or the breed of dog, it can be enjoyed by all. The sport has four main heights, small, medium, intermediate and large. There is so much both the handler and dog can learn about one another.”

Both of these sports are best experienced outdoors and are great ways to ensure your dog is receiving the best exercise it can whilst not doing the same routine walk.

After reading this, hopefully you are better equipped to make trips in the outdoors with your furry little friend less hassle and more enjoyable; even if it means remembering to bring your poo bag on your walk with you.