Walking with a dog

Many walkers bring a dog on the Cotswold Way. The canine code is a set of essential guidelines for dog owners - balancing outdoor enjoyment with space for wildlife and wild places to thrive. Following it is a core part of responsible ownership in the countryside. Cotswolds National Landscape highlights a simple version (shared with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust) that works well on the National Trail too - and pairs with the Countryside Code.

Core principles of the canine code

• Pick up after your dog. Always bag and bin dog waste. Grazing livestock can contract serious diseases from dog faeces, and clearing up keeps wild places safer for nature and more pleasant for other visitors.
• Take the lead. Keep your dog on a lead unless you are explicitly told otherwise. This protects sensitive wildlife such as ground-nesting birds, adders, and rare plants, and respects walkers who feel uneasy around dogs.
• Give space to livestock. Aim for at least 10 metres, and keep dogs under very close control around sheep, cattle, and ponies. Even a small dog can cause severe distress or injury.
• Stay on designated paths. Remaining on the established route reduces disturbance to wildlife and habitats - for both you and your dog.
• Only let a dog off the lead where it is safe, allowed, and you have reliable recall so you can watch where it goes.

Prepare for your dog as well as yourself

Bring plenty of water for your pet, and check that planned stage distances match your dog's fitness, age, and paw condition. Long consecutive days on stony or muddy paths can be harder on dogs than on people - build up gradually if your dog is new to multi-day walking.

Water and ponds

Be careful around ponds and rivers. Repeated bank scrambling erodes edges and stirs sediment; flea treatments washed off a swimming dog can harm freshwater insects. Prefer designated dog dips where they exist, and avoid swimming for a few days after applying spot-on treatments.

By taking the lead, picking up waste, giving space to livestock and wildlife, and staying on the path, you help preserve the Cotswolds - including the Cotswold Way - for everyone to enjoy.