Your first visit to a secure dog field
Secure dog fields let your dog run off-lead in a fenced space you have to yourself. Here is how booking works, what to bring and how to get the most from your first session.
What is a secure dog field?
A secure dog field is a fenced paddock, usually on a farm or smallholding, that you hire by the slot. During your booking the field is yours alone, so there are no other dogs, cyclists or livestock to worry about. Most fields have fencing around 5 to 6 feet high, and many add a gated car park or double gates so your dog can't slip out while you open the field gate.
They are popular with owners of reactive or nervous dogs, dogs with unreliable recall, sighthounds that love to sprint, and anyone who simply wants a stress-free off-lead run.
How booking usually works
- Book online in advance. Most fields use an online calendar. Slots are typically 30 to 60 minutes and paid when you book.
- Look for the gate code. Many fields send an entry code by email or text shortly before your slot.
- Read the field rules. Check how many dogs one booking allows, whether puppies or bitches in season can visit, and what to do if you are running late.
- Arrive on time and leave on time. Owners often leave a short gap between slots so dogs never meet at the gate. Waiting in your car until the previous visitor has driven away keeps that gap working for everyone.
What to bring
- Poo bags (most fields have a bin, but not all)
- Water and a bowl, unless drinking water is listed
- High-value treats for recall practice
- A favourite ball or toy, or a long line if you are still building trust
- An old towel for muddy paws, especially from autumn to spring
Making the first session a good one
Close every gate behind you, then walk the boundary with your dog on lead for a minute or two. It lets your dog sniff and settle, and lets you spot any gaps or hazards. When you let them off, stay relaxed: lots of dogs simply sniff for the first ten minutes before they start to run.
A quiet field is a great place to practise recall. Call your dog back a few times, reward generously, then send them off to play again, so coming back never means the fun is over. Scatter-feeding a handful of treats in the grass is a simple sniffing game that tires dogs out surprisingly well.
Leaving
Pick up after your dog, take any toys with you, put your dog on lead before opening the gate, and leave the gates as you found them. If you enjoyed it, leaving the field a review helps the owner and the next visitor.
This guide is general information for dog owners. It is not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified behaviourist about your own dog. Always check a place's own website for its current rules and opening times.