New approaches to managing dogs in the countryside

The consultation conducted during the production of the Countryside Access Plan for Hampshire highlighted dog walking as a key issue in the management of countryside access. Problems caused by dogs out of control and dog fouling were expressed however the more positive aspects of dog owning and walking were hardly recognised.

In 2005 The Kennel Club, Natural England and Hampshire County Council’s Countryside Service formed a partnership to investigate more enlightened and proactive approaches to managing dogs in the countryside. Hampshire’s Countryside for You and Your Dog aims ‘to investigate the needs and behaviours of dog walkers and test management approaches to optimise the benefits and minimise the negative effects of dogs in the countryside’

Between July 2006 and April 2008 three different research projects were conducted, all of which can be downloaded. This research helped us to gain a better understanding of the needs of dog walkers, identify the key factors that influence dog walker behaviour and consider the implications of changing management practices.

In light of the research we have implemented changes at some of our sites and country parks and are currently in the process of evaluating how effective they have been. A new system of management was introduced at Danebury Hillfort in 2007 and was subsequently evaluated. The evaluation report can now be downloaded.

One of the recommendations arising from the research was to share the findings from the research and the lessons we have learnt over the past few years.

Taking the Lead is a good practice guide that aims to provide public sector land managers with some thoughts and ideas to try on their own sites.

For more information about the Hampshire project please contact Jo Hale tel 01962 847717