As you may or may not know (pun intended), May is National Walking Month. With local lockdown restrictions easing, now is the perfect time to discover some new walking adventures with your dog. So how can you make the most of the best dog walks in the UK? We're going to help you! Read on to find out our dog walking tips to help you narrow down your search and discover which type of walk is best for you and your dog. Let's get the most out of your dog walks so you can maximise your fun and enjoyment with your four-legged friend...

What Type Of Dog Walk Do I Want For My Dog?

Our first dog walking tip is to consider what type of walk will suit your dog. For example, a huge hike on a mountainous route might not be suitable for a dog who has only been used to walking short routes on a flat surface. Consider your dog's fitness levels, age and appetite for walkies. Some are much more enthusiastic than others! And, always be careful with younger dogs so that you know exactly how much exercise your puppy needs. If you're looking to go a lot longer than usual, be sure to build up your dog's fitness gradually. After all, it's important that everyone enjoys their walkies. As well as planning new routes, keep some of your dog's usual walking routes too. This will ensure that there are not too many changes all at once.

To help you, some walking routes specify the length of time it will take to walk it (minus the pitstops for sniffing all the new scents!) This can be a great starting point to help you make your decision.

What Setting do I Want For My Dog Walk?

We are completely spoilt for choice in the UK when it comes to selecting sites for our dog walks. From beachside strolls to woodland walks and all in between, it can be tricky to decide which one you like the best! Factoring in which part of a walk appeals to your dog can be helpful to consider.

What does your dog love most about walkies? Is it all about blowing off lots of steam? In which case some large open spaces in the countryside could be very appealing indeed. Or is it less walking and more sniffing? If so, some woodland walkies could be a great source for your dog to sniff out the best scents. These types of questions can be helpful when choosing a setting for the best dog walks in the UK.

Do I Want To Encounter Other Dogs & Walkers?

With lockdown restrictions easing, it's likely more people than usual will want to get out and explore new "walkies" with their four-legged friends. Another dog walking tip here is to be mindful of this when selecting your dog walk location. Life after lockdown may take a little while for your dog to get used to. If your dog is particularly nervous about other dogs or hasn't encountered many due to lockdown, you might want to follow quieter walking routers. You can do this initially to you help them feel more confident around other dogs. Alternatively, do some research about when these busier areas are likely to be quieter. The time of year, time of day and place are all factors to take into account so you can choose the best spot.

How Far Do I Want To Travel?

If your dog gets car sick or hasn't travelled for long distances in the car, it's advisable to increase car journeys bit by bit. In particular, before exploring areas that are further afield. Some dogs, however, may just have more travel anxiety than others. Our Dorwest Scullcap & Valerian tablets can be a great support to your dog if they are a nervous traveller. It’s a natural pet supplement that can help reduce stress with no drowsiness. If you want more tips for driving with your dog, take a peek at another of our blog posts.

Be Prepared...

As with all dog walks, it's important your dog has a secure collar or harness. You should also attach a pet tag with your number in case they get lost. One of our fail-safe dog walking tips is to have essential supplies of poop bags and water with you. Other items you may wish to have with you include a towel, a mini first aid kit and maybe even some of our paw and nose balm. Dorwest paw balm for dogs will help keep your pet's paws nice and supple during their walkies. Likewise, if your dog is sensitive to summer allergies outside, be sure to account for this before your walk. Our remedies for dog allergies, such as our Soothe & Calm Shampoo or Garlic & Fenugreek Tablets will do just the trick and help your dog have an enjoyable experience when outside.

When exploring a new area, it can also be useful to research any local veterinary practices. It’s always best to be safe, should your dog injure themselves while you're further away from home.

What essential supplies do you take with you on your walks?

How To Source The Best Dog Walks Near You

So at this point, you should now have your kit and know which type of walk you're looking for. Next, it's time to find it! With so many options available it can be difficult to narrow down. Here are some suggestions to help you discover your new best dog walks in the UK...

SOCIAL MEDIA

Do you follow any dog influencer accounts on Instagram? If not, now might be the time to sniff them out as they can be a great source of information and recommendations for walkies. You can also type your local area (or area you want to explore) into the search bar and see if any photos pop up which contain dogs. People often tag the areas where they've been walking and it can be a great way to discover new routes for you and your dog to try.

INTERNET SEARCH & ONLINE DIRECTORIES

Whichever search engine you use, just searching for the ‘best dog walks in the UK’ can be a great source of inspiration. As with social media, there are plenty of bloggers who often share their activities online too. Plus some incredible directories. Many of these include some wonderful dog walking routes and fun pit stops along the way. Allow yourself to explore areas online first and collate a list of your top picks. You can then narrow them down (or visit them all). Some blogs and directories to help you start your search include:

• 'Doggypedia' directory from Borrow My Doggy.

• Walkiees has over 1,000 dog walks shared by an online dog community.

• The Good Dog Guide helps you search by area via their interactive map.

• MyPawsOn lists 100's of dog walks - you can also upload suggestions too.

LOCAL DOG CLASSES OR REGULAR DOG WALKING FRIENDS

If you're attending any local dog classes, they can be a wonderful source of dog walking tips and new walking adventures. Ask those around you where they like to go to help inspire you. You may encounter fellow pet parents on your daily dog walks too - ask if they have any suggestions. You don't always have to travel far to discover some of the best dog walks.

Where Are Your Best Dog Walks?

Hopefully, you feel excited at the prospect of exploring some new locations with your dog. Where are your best dog walks in the UK? We'd love to hear what you and your dog are planning (and why not inspire others with your suggestions). Pop them in the comments section below or tag us via our social media pages. Happy walking!

At Dorwest Herbs you can find a wide range of herbal pet supplements to aid all sorts of issues your dog may encounter on their walks, such as allergies, infections and joint stiffness. You can browse our herbal dog care in full on our website. Contact us today and email info@dorwest.com or call + 44 (0) 1308-897-272.