Dog walking field
Discussion
My wife is opening a dog walking field, 7 acres with 5ft secure fencing (herts essex border). Amazingly she got planning approval on greenbelt!!
I have unlimited supply of old tractor tyres and scaffold boards.
I'm a cabinetmaker so pretty handy.
I'm going to make a few benches, tables, "A" frames, sandpit, water splash. tennis ball launcher (big catapault), weaves tunnels etc
Layed out a few ideas last night, just the start.
As dog owners what would you want?
I have unlimited supply of old tractor tyres and scaffold boards.
I'm a cabinetmaker so pretty handy.
I'm going to make a few benches, tables, "A" frames, sandpit, water splash. tennis ball launcher (big catapault), weaves tunnels etc
Layed out a few ideas last night, just the start.
As dog owners what would you want?
I presume access incurs a cost?
If so, I would expect the fencing to have no gaps and safe for dogs. Bins for dog waste. Is there a pond for dogs to paddle in? Maybe a couple of benches for seating.
My one rule is if I have to pay to enter somewhere like this, I would like the opportunity to buy a coffee but I realise this is something you can do willy nilly.
Secured fencing would be the primary issue though as I know some dog walkers pay a few private owners for walking their dogs because they are secure.
Good luck with the project.
If so, I would expect the fencing to have no gaps and safe for dogs. Bins for dog waste. Is there a pond for dogs to paddle in? Maybe a couple of benches for seating.
My one rule is if I have to pay to enter somewhere like this, I would like the opportunity to buy a coffee but I realise this is something you can do willy nilly.
Secured fencing would be the primary issue though as I know some dog walkers pay a few private owners for walking their dogs because they are secure.
Good luck with the project.
Will you allocate timeslots, or will it be a 'free for all'? As a dog owner of multiple dogs, I would want exclusive access, because I have one dog that is nervous of strange dogs. If the former, you may find that demand for certain timeslots exceeds capacity (eg lunchtimes).
I used to take a previous group of dogs to a 'greyhound playgroup' in a covered sandschool, but they would only let you mix your dogs with other dogs known to them (I used to go with friends and their dogs, so all 6 of them would mix).
You may find that it would be popular with greyhound/lurcher owners, because they can't always be let off lead. If so, it would be worth leaving a reasonable space open without equipment/benches, because these dogs are seriously fast and can hurt themselves badly if they collide with things.
I used to take a previous group of dogs to a 'greyhound playgroup' in a covered sandschool, but they would only let you mix your dogs with other dogs known to them (I used to go with friends and their dogs, so all 6 of them would mix).
You may find that it would be popular with greyhound/lurcher owners, because they can't always be let off lead. If so, it would be worth leaving a reasonable space open without equipment/benches, because these dogs are seriously fast and can hurt themselves badly if they collide with things.
There's one local to us that you can rent for exclusive use. Great when you have a Cocker who refuses to recall and is still young and daft
They have double gates on access and secure fencing all the way around. You can rent for single or multi dog use (we went the other day with ours and the sister-in-law brought hers to introduce them and let them play)
Weaves, tunnels and the like to play on as per your post
In our case it's £6 per half hour for 1-3 dogs and £10 for an hour. 4-7 dogs is more expensive (think it's £9/£16) - appreciate with land costs etc that down south might need to be higher than West Yorkshire
Make sure you provide bins for dog waste possibly worth remembering
Is there adequate parking? Rules at ours are that you stay in car until the previous occupant is loaded to ensure nervous dogs etc. are catered for
Ours also has a small shelter for if it's raining - with a clock inside to help keep an eye on the time
They have double gates on access and secure fencing all the way around. You can rent for single or multi dog use (we went the other day with ours and the sister-in-law brought hers to introduce them and let them play)
Weaves, tunnels and the like to play on as per your post
In our case it's £6 per half hour for 1-3 dogs and £10 for an hour. 4-7 dogs is more expensive (think it's £9/£16) - appreciate with land costs etc that down south might need to be higher than West Yorkshire
Make sure you provide bins for dog waste possibly worth remembering
Is there adequate parking? Rules at ours are that you stay in car until the previous occupant is loaded to ensure nervous dogs etc. are catered for
Ours also has a small shelter for if it's raining - with a clock inside to help keep an eye on the time
moorx said:
You may find that it would be popular with greyhound/lurcher owners, because they can't always be let off lead. If so, it would be worth leaving a reasonable space open without equipment/benches, because these dogs are seriously fast and can hurt themselves badly if they collide with things.
Wholeheartedly agree with this. You will find dog walkers will utilise the space too so they can walk a group of dogs safely. Might be worth exploring if there are local horse riders wanting to use the space too.
Pothole said:
Are those tyres secured against falling over on dogs or owners? Or you or your wife?
Not yet, just floating ideas and deciding where things should go. All will be bolted down and secured.My biggest worry was people with towable things deciding it may be nice to tow those things on to the field and live there.
I have now put very secure gates and height restricters on all entrances.
Thanks chaps, keep it coming. Wife is quite well known locally due dog training, I think she has this all in hand.
I'm trying to keep my nose out really as I'm busy with my own business esp with Covid issues.
I'll show her this thread in a few days.
I'll post up a video of field if I can work it out.
I'm trying to keep my nose out really as I'm busy with my own business esp with Covid issues.
I'll show her this thread in a few days.
I'll post up a video of field if I can work it out.
https://imgur.com/xjU0FJn
Heres a video of the field from a few weeks ago. It's a good size for any type of dog, lots and lots of free running.
Eventually we will section off a few areas for training classes and other things where you need a smaller space. Behind the big tall trees at the start is a natural pond, however it needs clearing out so we probably won't do this until next year.
Heres a video of the field from a few weeks ago. It's a good size for any type of dog, lots and lots of free running.
Eventually we will section off a few areas for training classes and other things where you need a smaller space. Behind the big tall trees at the start is a natural pond, however it needs clearing out so we probably won't do this until next year.
Proper bins, like the council ones that are sort of smellproof.
Some sort of outdoor soft play area? We have a 17 year old Staff who likes to pad about on beds before she just lays down and watch other dogs doing all that running about nonsense, so if you're having customers with more than one dog... Some waterproof mattresses or cushions or similar?
Some sort of outdoor soft play area? We have a 17 year old Staff who likes to pad about on beds before she just lays down and watch other dogs doing all that running about nonsense, so if you're having customers with more than one dog... Some waterproof mattresses or cushions or similar?
ShampooEfficient said:
Proper bins, like the council ones that are sort of smellproof.
Some sort of outdoor soft play area? We have a 17 year old Staff who likes to pad about on beds before she just lays down and watch other dogs doing all that running about nonsense, so if you're having customers with more than one dog... Some waterproof mattresses or cushions or similar?
Cool, I can get astroturf off cuts free of charge. I will make tyre sofas covered with astroturf.Some sort of outdoor soft play area? We have a 17 year old Staff who likes to pad about on beds before she just lays down and watch other dogs doing all that running about nonsense, so if you're having customers with more than one dog... Some waterproof mattresses or cushions or similar?
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