Guidance

Woodland management, infrastructure and signage: visitors with dogs

Published 16 January 2025

Applies to England

Woodlands are popular places for dog walkers as they provide natural landscapes away from livestock and arable crops. Many dog walkers see woodlands as a responsible place to visit, particularly if there are dog restrictions in other areas, such as beaches or urban parks.

Dog walking is the main recreational activity for 21% of all woodland visitors. However, many more are likely to have dogs accompanying them for their walk or ride  and, in some woodlands, over 80% of visitors have dogs. Studies show that a typical dog walk is around 2.7km and lasts for an hour.

Building strong relationships with dog walkers is essential for effective management of woodland visitors.

As well as applying good access management for all visitors to your woodland, there are other considerations for visitors with dogs. Consider the overall design principles of your woodland, and how they relate to the visitors you want to influence. Good woodland design and maintenance can reduce potential conflicts. These can include:

• strategic design of path infrastructure, such as how wide paths are and how they link together
• good design and upkeep of paths, vegetation, gates and fences
• planning and maintaining any car parking and other facilities or infrastructure, such as dog waste bins

This guide outlines many physical interventions that will be more effective if visitors are informed and involved about changes at an early stage. This ensures visitors feel welcome.

Access management, design and infrastructure

Most visitors with dogs are looking for a positive and enjoyable walk. If they’re given clear, consistent information at the right time, they’ll make choices that avoid conflict.

The location and maintenance of paths, gates, fencing, bins and car parking will influence visitors’ activity. Use existing site management features to influence behaviour, such as reviewing whether bins are in the right places, before investing in new signage or events.

Wording and imagery on signs, panels, leaflets, and online materials should be clear that it’s for dog walkers. Deliver a consistent message across all your communication platforms to avoid mixed interpretations.

Positive messages around ‘happy, healthy and safe’ walks are more likely to influence dog walkers.

Practical site management

Simple, low-cost measures can make a significant difference.

Top tips on managing dog walking access:

• emphasise routes you’d prefer dog walkers to use to steer them away from sensitive areas: do this by enhancing path surfaces, signage and information
• mow and place brash and fallen trees along paths to create ‘natural fencing’ to keep dog walkers on paths: this is important if spaces are opened temporarily by felling, thinning or coppicing
• review existing management and access plans to see if there are future opportunities in planting and felling cycles to develop a more suitable network of paths
• decide if ‘desire lines’ can be part of the path network: these paths show where people naturally walk, and including them can reduce the need for extra management
• choose the least restrictive option: most dog walkers prefer a dog off-lead exercise, including ‘off duty’ assistance dogs
• have a ‘dogs on leads zone’ in sensitive areas: it’s more effective than expecting dogs to be on leads throughout the woodland

New access to your woodland

If you’re opening your woodland to the public for the first time, make sure signage, information and any infrastructure is in place early on. Information can be on-site, offsite and online. Start by:

• identifying where, and when, woodland species or habitats, can be helped or hindered by visiting dogs
• assessing whether intervention is needed or likely to work, if not, monitor the situation

If dogs are not allowed in some areas or must be kept on leads, make that clear in any pre-arrival information. Visitors are less likely to comply once they have arrived expecting to let dogs off-lead.

Example sign showing temporary access controls to protect rare birds nesting nearby. Crown copyright.

Current access to your woodland

If there is already public access, investigate how your current management supports the behaviours you want. You can:

• observe where dog walkers go and what they do. Does it differ with what you want?
• review existing messaging. How well does it communicate what you want?
• review existing signs. Are there any out-of-date signs that need to be removed? Are there too many messages for people to take in?
• check nearby land, websites, social media and local information hubs for public information about your woodland. Is it correct?
• chat to existing dog walkers to see how much they know about your woodland, its wildlife, livestock, other visitors and forestry operations

Visitors with dogs can give insights into what improvements in management or messaging are helpful. Visitors may not be aware of problems they can cause accidentally, or how best to report issues such as fly-tipping.

Signage

Ensure all signage is up to date, clear, consistent, and credible. Otherwise, it could cause important and relevant signage to be ignored. Remove temporary signage, for example, seasonal sensitivities or forestry operations, when not needed.

If access has existed for a long time, dog walkers may not understand why previously tolerated behaviours are now not allowed, unless the reasons are explained.

Top tips on signage:

• consult local dog walkers with your signs before they’re finalised: this can help with community involvement as it introduces planned changes
• use signs at each access point, in car parks and at path junctions to let visitors know where they can go and what they can do
• positive signage is proven to be more effective: highlight what visitors ‘can do’, rather than what they ‘can’t do’
• explain wanted behaviours, such as ‘dogs on leads areas’, and thank people for their cooperation
• clearly show boundaries of restricted areas, such as where dogs should be on-lead, start and finish
• consider a traffic light system for zones: red means ‘no dogs’, amber means ‘dogs on leads/paws on paths’ and green means ‘dogs can be off-lead if under control’
• use temporary signage, such as A-boards, to convey important messages at a specific location
• include a contact number or email address for any queries, or reporting issues
• see The Countryside Code for more tips on signage

An example handwritten a-board sign showing 'doggy do's and doggy don'ts'. Copyright Steve Jenkinson.

If signs or other information about visitor behaviour are not effective, ask dog walkers why this is. It may not be what you expect. Good signage will have little effect if it is badly designed or in the wrong place.

Read more about signage for dog fouling on Managing dog fouling in your woodland.

Example sign asking visitors to 'please keep your dog on a lead in this area'. Copyright Steve Jenkinson.

Car Parking

Car parking influences where people go and what routes they follow. Location and number of spaces can be used to steer people towards less sensitive times and places. Things worth considering:

• use car parks as priority locations for information about wanted behaviours and preferred routes
• temporarily reduce car parking in locations with access to seasonally sensitive areas, ensure you make regulars aware of changes ahead of time
• request dogs be kept on-lead in car parks: this is safer for the dogs and prompts visitors to take a lead on their walk
• provide dog waste bins in car parks and at access points you want dog walkers to use
• use shaded car parking areas to attract dog walkers to preferred areas, especially in summer
• if any new parking is created, consider how it will influence access patterns, both positively and negatively, and design access points accordingly

Gates and fencing

Dog walkers want to avoid conflict with livestock, you can help this by:

• minimising gaps around and under gates
• promptly repairing any gaps in fencing
• allowing vegetation to grow up along fences and paths to break sightlines between dogs, wildlife and livestock, this reduces the chance of visual disturbance or a chase. Keep vegetation from encroaching onto the path or blocking it

Read more about protecting wildlife and livestock in your woodland.

It is no longer recommended that dog stiles or latches are provided. Stiles present a physical barrier for many people, as well as dogs. Providing a gate or gap solves the issue for humans and canines.

Managing hazards

Managing woodland with safe, enjoyable dog walking experiences can really help set a positive tone. Informal site inspections, which could be carried out by known regular local dog walkers, can support formal inspections by identifying any known or potential hazards.

Many risks to dogs or walkers can be lowered with some simple considerations.

Water access

Dogs will want to drink or swim in still or flowing water, especially in hot weather, which can sometimes be dangerous for dogs.

This can also unintentionally harm wildlife and habitats by disturbing sediment, spreading invasive plants or contaminating water with flea, tick and worming treatments.

Facilitating water access points in a less sensitive location may be more effective than banning access to water completely. If you have more than one pond, for example, you may wish to designate one for dog access and others for wildlife.

You should assess the risks at promoted access points to identify and manage any issues such as: 

• known sewage and chemical pollutants or toxins
• underwater or unseen dangers, including water depth and flow
• blue-green algae poisoning

To prevent bank erosion and make the desired access point more attractive, provide steps and shuttering, a raised entry ramp or platform with drainage, or ‘beach like’ entry. Use signage to explain why only using the designated access point is beneficial for canine safety and wildlife.

Solid or visual barriers may be needed to deter water entry in certain areas. If so, clearly signpost the direction to the designated water access point.

Example sign showing 'no dogs in pond' and that a dog dip area is provided 50 metres away. Copyright Steve Jenkinson.

Wildlife, pests and diseases

Wildlife such as adders, wild boar, and some hairy caterpillars can pose a risk of injury to people and dogs. Reduce hazards and risks by:

• informing visitors at relevant entry points and consider off site information, such as in social media groups
• providing advice on how to avoid injury, for example, suggest best routes to take, times to avoid, and when to keep dogs on paths
• informing what to do if a dog or human is bitten by an adder: display contact details of the nearest emergency vet
• warn visitors if there is a known presence of ticks, read more about being tick aware
• keep information proportionate and balanced, especially if the risk is low, to avoid alarming visitors

Dog illnesses linked to woodland walking

Dog walkers may ask about 2 potentially fatal illnesses associated with walking in woodlands:

• Alabama rot
• Seasonal Canine Illness

Despite extensive research, there is no clarity on the prevalence or cause of these diseases. Learn more about these illnesses on The Kennel Club website.

These diseases are very rare, but if cases have been reported in your area, you should let dog walkers know by signage or off-site information. If walkers are concerned you can suggest:

• keeping dogs on paths and away from wet or muddy areas
• washing mud off dogs, especially their paws, between November and May after walks (Alabama rot)
• they contact their vet if their dog shows signs of illness in the hours and days after a woodland walk

Read more about reducing risks from these diseases on the Blue Cross website.

Providing dog activities

If dog activities fit your woodland management objectives, they can be a positive way of engaging with dog owners and provide additional income.

Enclosed training areas

Fenced training areas are highly valued by dog owners. They offer a responsible option for training off-lead recalls in an outdoor setting. Things to consider include:

• these facilities can be used to attract dog walkers to less sensitive areas of woodland
• these are best located a short walk from car parks and other popular access points to avoid them becoming a dog toilet or an area for unsociable dogs
• ensure fencing, gates and surfaces are safe and appropriate
• never use barbed wire or electric fencing

You can charge for such facilities, although they do require management and maintenance, such as booking, inspection and facility provision.

Visit an established, informally managed, training area to get ideas and advice. Search online for ‘dog fields near me’.

When diversifying income streams, local dog trainers can also be engaged to conduct paid sessions in training areas. Consider the code of practice for the welfare of dogs if working with dog trainers.

Example sign showing 'enclosed dog training area’. Copyright Steve Jenkinson.

Dog activity trails

Like outdoor gyms for humans, dog activity trails increase interaction and control, while enhancing human and canine well-being.

Providing permanent, naturalistic solid obstacles along a preferred route can improve dog training and control and attract dog walkers to less sensitive parts of a woodland. These include jumps, tunnels, weaves and log walks.

A pilot trail was built in 2008 through a partnership between the Forestry Commission and The Kennel Club. Since then, the concept has been successfully adopted and adapted by many other woodland managers. For more information contact The Kennel Club: kcdog@thekennelclub.org.uk.

Dog sports

Woodland is an attractive landscape for dog sports training and competition. This can provide income, good publicity and increase engagement and influence with dog walkers.

Canicross is the most accessible sport and involves a human being tethered to 1 or 2 dogs running in front.

Some dog sports require landowner permission, unless performed on a public bridleway or byway. These include:

• bikejor (human, dog and bicycle),
• scootering (human, dog and scooter)
• sledding (human, dog and sled or wheeled rig)

Dogs taking part in these activities are well-trained, tethered and remain on paths and trails. This minimises conflict with wildlife and livestock. However, issues can occur if other visitors have off-lead out of control dogs.

Community engagement and advocacy

Engaging with dog walkers in canine-themed ways can support effective woodland management by:

• providing an avenue for communication and influence: dog walkers take advice from their peers, and other canine professionals such as vets, dog trainers, walkers and groomers
• asking for feedback on proposed management changes at an early stage helps make them more effective and gives a chance to discuss why they’re needed
• enhancing the informal monitoring provided by local dog walkers, including information on how issues should be reported: issues can include fires, injured or trapped livestock, infrastructure damage, poaching and wildlife persecution, as well as deterring antisocial behaviour

In smaller woodlands engagement can be through informal chats to visitors when on-site. On bigger sites, and where resources permit, more comprehensive engagement can be very beneficial.

Communication with dog walkers

Top tips on building good relationships with dog walkers:

• engage with dog walkers, who can potentially be your advocates and influencers
• build signage messaging around happy, healthy, hassle-free visits with phrasing such as ‘you can…’ or ‘please do …’ rather than negative messaging such as ‘don’t…’ or ‘you can’t…’
• give clear information for off-lead exercise, show what routes to follow
• avoid vague messaging like ‘close control’, ‘be responsible’ or ‘respect this woodland’, as they can be misinterpreted
• use an obvious dog image in signs, including non-specific dog messages, such as about ground nesting birds
• use existing communication channels to engage with dog walkers, including local social media groups, dog-friendly apps and websites as well as nearby vets, pet shops and groomers
• if you’re a dog owner, engaging with other dog walkers face to face when walking your dog in your woodland can encourage positive conversations

Community schemes

Many projects protecting wildlife and habitats have used positive images, materials and events to engage dog walkers. Ask your local authority whether any schemes are already in place locally.

Here are some examples for ideas you can adapt to suit your woodland:

• Dorset Dogs
• Devon Loves Dogs
• Heathland Hounds
• Coast and Country Canines

Community-based ‘Green Dog Walkers’ groups come together to improve dog walking behaviour through advocacy on fouling and other environmental issues. Search online for ‘Green Dog Walkers’.

Legal resources and further guidance

There are different legal obligations on dog walkers and land managers on public rights of way, access land and permissive access. For example, on access land dogs must be kept on a short lead between 1 March and 31 July, and at any time in the vicinity of livestock.  

There is no rule that a dog must be kept on-lead on a public right of way, even when it crosses access land, unless there is a legal order in place requiring it for that particular path. However, dogs should remain on the path.

There can also be conditions attached to grants funding woodland access.

Good management is generally more effective than a legal approach. However, if you’re having persistent issues relating to dog walking, your local authority may be able to introduce Public Spaces Protection Orders to designated areas. These can enforce dog control measures and people can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for non-compliance, in some circumstances.

Your local authority can also issue Community Protection Notices to persistent, individual offenders.

Read more about Public Spaces Protection Orders and Community Protection Notices.

Some land may also have byelaws affecting access with dogs. Find out more about byelaws.

If your land is Countryside and Rights of Way Act access land, you may be able to apply for a direction to manage or restrict dog walking. Find out more about Open access land and the coastal margin: how to restrict public access

Read more resources on laws relating to dog walking:

• laws on out-of-control dogs
• dealing with irresponsible dog ownership

The Visitor Safety Group provide more information about approaches to managing visitors on outdoor sites, including risk assessments, however you do need to subscribe for access to their resources. Discuss with your insurance provider when adding new access and infrastructure.

Excluding dogs from woodlands

Around half of visitors to woodland have a dog with them. Dog walking has benefits for the health and wellbeing of both people and dogs. Imposing complete dog bans will adversely affect many potential visitors and may not comply with forestry grant conditions.

Some visitors may have assistance dogs. Banning all dogs from a given area is likely to contravene the Equality Act 2010. For more information, visit Assistance Dogs UK.

Funding and support for woodland access

Grant funding may be available for car parks and other capital items. Your local woodland officer can advise you.

You can also see what grant support we offer.

Read more about managing visitors with dogs in your woodland.