Dogs are more popular than ever, with an estimated 34% of UK households giving ‘man’s best friend’ a home in 2022. All these dogs need fresh air and exercise, which can bring them into conflict with wildlife. Even the friendliest, most gentle dog still looks like a predator – and that’s exactly how wildlife sees it. An encounter with a dog can be hugely stressful for birds, mammals, reptiles, and other animals. Sometimes it can even be fatal. 

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust manages over 90 nature reserves around the county, with only three of these allowing dogs. Therefore, we’re asking dog owners to be responsible and to check which reserves are dog friendly before visiting.  

Our dogs can also have less direct impacts on the natural world around them. It might seem harmless to leave dog poo in the undergrowth, but the extra nutrients this adds to the soil can disrupt nature’s balance, leading to the loss of wildflowers. Cleaning up after your dog and keeping them on a short lead at all times  can go a long way towards keeping wildlife safe. You can find out more in our recent press release here.

We spoke to some dog-lovers from around the Wildlife Trusts to find out how they balance their love for nature with the needs of their four-legged friends. Here’s what they had to say…

My name is Abbi and I’m a Communications Officer for The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. I adopted Peter a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross last year when he was only 8 weeks old and he’s quite the character. Peter is a typical staffy, incredibly friendly, and loves nothing more than to say hello. However, he can often find certain social situations, especially with others dogs stressful and becomes quite nervous. For this reason, his recall can be incredibly hit-and-miss, so he is always kept on the lead for his own safety as well as the safety of others.

Our local walking spot is a nearby common which is home to a variety of species, often spotting roe deer and hares whilst out on our evening strolls. To try to minimise disturbance I stick to designated paths, always pick up poo, and avoid denser areas of vegetation where wildlife may nest. 

I feel incredibly passionate about responsible dog ownership, having previously worked within the canine care industry for a number of years alongside studying for a diploma in canine behaviour. I perhaps bring a different perspective to the subject because initially when working within the canine industry, I would keep dogs on a lead for the purpose of their welfare. However, now understanding the life-threatening implications dogs can have on wildlife, I consciously make this decision with wildlife and dog welfare in mind. I also choose to keep Peter on the lead to demonstrate good dog-walking etiquette, to avoid making people who may be uncomfortable around dogs nervous whilst also taking into consideration other dogs who may be on the lead and anxious.

There are many spaces locally that advertise the use of enclosed secure paddocks to give your dog off-lead exercise. This is something I regularly do with peter where he attends with a local dog walker and other dogs. I think is a great way to ensure he gets the stimulation he needs in a safe environment, whilst protecting the local wildlife.

I’m Katy, senior conservation officer for Ulster Wildlife. I manage species projects across Northern Ireland, including barn owls, red squirrels, and hedgehogs. I have a handsome rescue collie called Vinnie (or Vincent when he’s in trouble) and we love exploring nature together.

I feel very strongly about responsible dog ownership and feel we all have a part to play in minimising wildlife disturbance. I am lucky enough to live on the coast and often see owners allowing their dogs to chase waders and seabirds on the beach. Chasing birds may not seem like a big deal but if this is happening to those birds 50 times a day it becomes a real problem as it stops them from resting and feeding, both vital for their survival. Your dog may never actually catch anything but imagine being a tiny seabird and having to escape for your life every time a dog comes charging along. They see that dog as a predator and respond appropriately. That is why Vinnie is always on a lead when wildlife is around!

Another thing that Vinnie and I always take notice of are ‘keep your dog on a lead’ signs. These are not there to ruin your dog’s fun and always have a reason behind them. I often work on a site where there are red squirrels and recently a dog caught and killed one. This is devastating when we are working so hard to save this species. So, if you see these signs, please know they are there for a reason – it might be a rare species is present, such as a plant that needs protection from trampling or a ground-nesting bird is breeding.

Next time you are out and about with your companion, think about what impact you might be having on the landscape around you and how you can both enjoy nature responsibly. We are a nation of both dog lovers and nature lovers after all.

Footnote

You can read more about pesticides found in flea treatments in this report on a study by The Wildlife Trusts’ ambassador Dave Goulson and colleagues.

I’m Miriam, the strategic lead for equality, diversity and inclusion at The Wildlife Trusts and I have a registered assistance dog (Canine Partner) called Laurel. As you can imagine, Laurel goes everywhere with me, including out on nature reserves when I visit them in a work capacity and recreationally. It is exceptionally important for me to make sure she doesn’t have any negative impact on these sites. Laurel is always kept on her lead in reserves, whether we are working and she is ‘on duty’, or whether she is having some ‘dog time’ between meetings. She is also very privileged to be allowed on sites that don’t allow dogs. As with all nature reserves she is kept on a lead at all times and we keep to main pathways to try not to disturb any wildlife.

The vetting process for having a Canine Partner (as with most assistance dogs) is strict and one of the musts is being able to clean up after your dog. There are various aids and adaptions that can allow disabled people to be able to poo pick, so there really is no excuse not to clean up after your dog. The dogs must also have excellent recall and are trained to return on the whistle.

There is a balance to be found between engaging with nature and being a dog owner. Dogs off lead can cause issues not only for wildlife and the environment but also for those who aren’t confident around dogs, and those with assistance dogs. There is nothing more worrying than an off-lead dog bounding up to your on-lead assistance dog and getting aggressive. If Laurel gets hurt by another dog, I lose my assistance and independence until she is recovered.

My name is Jade and I’m Marketing Officer at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. My canine companion is Bertie, and he’s a dachshund/Yorkshire terrier cross who loves sneaking under the duvet, pulling off your socks and eating cheese. He also loves his walks in the countryside.

Finding new walks to explore with him has reignited my love for the outdoors, and gives me an excuse to get outside. It’s really benefitted my wellbeing, and has made me look more closely at nature – noticing the changing seasons, spotting wildlife and just slowing down.

It’s given me a new appreciation and understanding for nature and wildlife, and makes me want to look after it more. Being a responsible dog owner is really vital for this, so I make sure I stick to the paths, look for and respect ‘no dogs past this point’ signs and always pick up poo. I bought a handy clip which hold the poo bag and attaches to the lead so I don’t need to hold it, but can carry it with us on the lead until we find a poo bin – very handy for big walks in the great outdoors where poo bins are scarce!