facts

You and your dog in the Countryside

Six steps to worry free walks by following the Countryside Code

Control your dog so that it does not scare or disturb farm animals or wildlife.
When using the new access right over open country and common land, you must keep your dog on a short lead between 1st March and 31st July and all year round near farm animals and you may not be able to take your dog at all on some areas or at some times. Please follow any official signs.
You do not have to put you dog on a lead on public paths, as long as it is under close control. But as a general rule, keep your dog on a lead if you cannot rely on its obedience. By law, farmers are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals.
If a farm animal chases you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead, dont risk getting hurt by trying to protect it.
Take particular care that your dog doesnt scare sheep and lambs, or wander where it might disturb birds that nest on the ground and other wildlife eggs and young will soon die without protection from their parents.

Everyone knows how unpleasant dog mess is and it can cause infections, so always clean up after your dog and get rid of the mess responsibly. Also, make sure your dog is wormed regularly to protect it, other animals and people

Where you can go with your dog

Public rights of way
Public footpaths, bridleways and byways provide thousands of miles of paths and tracks for you to walk with your dog. These paths are often indicated by official signs at the roadside and coloured arrows like these along the way:

Local councils and landowners are working together to ensure you can use all these paths, as well as making sure they do not become difficult or dangerous to use.

The law protects your rights to walk these paths at any time and requires you to take simple steps to prevent harm to wildlife, farm animals and other people, so always follow the Countryside Code. access

Open countryside
Since 2004, new laws have opened up areas of land for walkers with dogs across areas of mountain, moor, heath and down, and registered common land, known as access land in England. These areas are being shown on Ordnance Survey maps and on special maps at www.countrysideasccess.gov.uk and may also be marked in the countryside by this symbol:

Areas of open countryside are some of the most peaceful parts of our environment and their wild beauty is maintained by those who manage the land for a living.

Looking after minor accidents with your dog

Be prepared
This information will help with some emergency situations that can arise when out for a walk, during those initial moments before you get advice from a vet.

You can best prepare for medical emergencies in advance by: attending an animal first aid course run at local colleges and vets surgeries; carrying a simple dog first aid kit, this can be used to help humans too; leaning life-saving and training skills at a Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme; having pet health insurance.

Road accidents, fractures and falls
1. Keep calm so as not to cause panic.
2. Make sure you and your dog are not in further danger; keep the dog warm.
3. If you need to move the dog out of danger, do so slowly and gently. If it cant walk, use a coat, board or blanket as a stretcher.
4. Try to stem blood flow from cuts with a pad and firm pressure; press around any foreign objects such as broken glass or metal-to avoid pushing them further in.
4. Dogs can appear paralysed after a severe accident, but this can be temporary. Never assume an animal is beyond help, follow veterinary advice.
6. Internal injuries are not always obvious; contact your vet immediately if your pet is off-colour within 24 hours of an accident.

Poisoning
Many garden and agricultural chemicals can be attractive to dogs but fatal, so never let your pet out of your sight or let it eat what it finds when out for a walk. If you think your dog has ingested something poisonous, phone the vet immediately and keep any labels, containers or samples with you to help the vet decide the best treatment. DO NOT make you dog sick without first consulting your vet.

Heat Stroke
This occurs to dogs when exercised in hot weather, or left in cars on even moderately warm days. They will pant excessively and may vomit, collapse, have fits or difficulty breathing.
If heat stroke occurs:

1. Keep the dog calm. Move it into the shade, a cool room or building, or near a fan or breeze;
2. Cool all of your dog with water, paying particular attention to the head;
3. Let your dog drink small amount of cool water frequently. Call the vet.

Insect stings
If a sting is left in your dog, scrape it away with a fingernail or credit card; do not squeeze or grasp it. Cool the area with a wet cloth to help reduce pain and swelling. If in doubt, contact your vet.

Adder bites
If your dog is bitten by an adder, keep it still and calm. If possible, dont allow it to walk; carry it instead. Leave the bit wound alone; contact a vet immediately.

Ticks
These potentially harmful parasites are particularly likely to be encountered in spring and autumn, especially where sheep and deer live. Check your dog for ticks every day; they can resemble a dark, smooth pea. Have them removed immediately, as they can spread harmful diseases. They must not be squeezed or pulled off. Ask your vet how to do this safely.