When you have a reactive dog, it can be really hard to find places where you can walk them without off-lead, unpredictable dogs running up to you. We would love to say all dog owners are respectful and courteous, but there are owners out there with awfully behaved dogs that do not have their dog under control, or even on a lead at all! We understand this makes dog walking difficult, stressful and worrisome. Thankfully, Herefordshire is beautifully scattered with public footpaths and areas open to the public, so it is possible to get off the beaten track a little to enjoy a less stressful walk. So, here's our list of the best places to walk your reactive dog in Herefordshire...
1) Hergest Ridge, Kington
Image Credits: Visit Herefordshire
Hergest Ridge in Kington had to be on our list of best places to walk your reactive dog in Herefordshire, as not only is it a completely free route, with wide open spaces to make it easy to spot oncoming dogs and walkers, but the views are really quite something! A small, free roadside parking area allows you to park up very close to the route. Get your boots on for a 30 minute walk to the top of the ridge to see the monkey puzzle trees and look out across incredible views of the valley below. You might spot some wild ponies up on the ridge, so it is recommended to keep your dog on a lead on this route. If you wanted to lengthen the route, you could continue walking along the ridge which crosses the border into the Welsh county of Powys and down to Gladestry before heading back up over the ridge, which would total about 3 hours of walking.
2) Berrington Hall, Leominster
Image Credits: National Trust, Berrington Hall
A large parking area, 250 acres of parkland & woodland with varying routes and a strict keep your dog on a lead policy makes Berrington Hall a must have on our list of places to walk your reactive dog in Herefordshire. The only bottleneck is at the entrance/exit which can be easily navigated if you are going with someone else by asking your companion to go ahead and book in for you. Your human companion could also walk slightly ahead of you as you start out so you have more notice of an upcoming dog or walker. In all our years of walking here, we have found other dog walkers to be very courteous and considerate and allow you your space.
There is a lovely approx. 40 minute circular route (time may vary depending how steady or fast you walk) down to the lake and through the woods. This route is very open which allows you to easily see any dogs approaching so you have plenty of time to move away. Start by heading down to the lake, following it round to the right, up and over onto fields. Look out for the left turn, through gate, into a little part of the wooded area. Track this straight ahead before turning right, across the fields to head back up to the play park area.
Berrington Hall have FAQs about visiting with your dog(s) on their website here. There is a fee required to be paid for your visit, or it is free if you are a National Trust Member.
3) Two Acre Secure Dog Walking Field, between Leominster & Hereford
All Positive Dog Services' secure dog walking field might just be the best place to walk your reactive dog in Herefordshire. At just £5 per hour, the securely fenced two acre field allows you total peace of mind to walk your dog on or off lead and work with them in a safe space, without the risk of bumping into other dogs or people - also quite the introvert's dream!
There is a catch... To access this space, dog walkers must be a current client of All Positive Dog Services and be approved by the team. If you are an existing client with a reactive dog, you can request to book here. If you are not yet a client, check out some of All Positive Dog Services' reactive dog friendly services such as Behaviour Consultation or Scent Detection for Reactive Dogs, which will then allow you to request access to this field.
4) Bircher Common, Leominster
Image Credits: GPS Cycle and Walking Routes
The wide open common space makes spotting oncoming dogs and owners much easier and allows you ample time to move away. There are optional woodland routes next to the common and you can extend the walk by visiting the nearby Croft Ambrey at Croft Castle - there is a really helpful guide to walking Bircher Common to the top of Croft Ambrey here, wonderfully provided by Greta Pennington of the Mortimer Group of The Ramblers. Usually, there is livestock such as sheep grazing along these routes, so it is recommended to keep your dog on a lead.
5) Brockhampton Estate, Bromyard
Image Credits: National Trust, Brockhampton Estate
There are lots of footpaths that are less beaten, as well as more popular routes at Brockhampton Estate, so you can make it as long as you want to and even extend it by following routes that go outside of National Trust grounds. All of the spaces are fairly open which makes it much easier to spot oncoming walkers and dogs and, as it is a National Trust site, all dogs must be on leads so bumping into a rouge off-lead dog is much less likely here.
Brockhampton have FAQs about visiting with your dog(s) on their website here. There is a fee required to be paid for your visit, or it is free if you are a National Trust Member.
Get Help & Support with Reactivity
If you would like support addressing reactivity that your dog displays, check out All Positive Dog Services' Behaviour Consultation. Or if you would like to engage them in an activity held in a safe environment tailored for reactive dogs, take a look at Scent Detection for Reactive Dogs.
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