Walking with a dog

1. Remember to pick up after your dog

Grazing livestock can pick up diseases from dog poo and become ill. Plus, you’ll be ensuring that Cannock Chase remains a haven for nature, and an enjoyable space for other users.

2. Take the lead

Keep your dog on a lead unless informed otherwise. Wild places are home to ground-nesting birds, adders and rare plants that can all be disturbed by dogs. What’s more – you’ll be caring for other visitors who might not be so comfortable around your canine companion.

3. Give space to grazing livestock

We recommend at least 10m – and keeping all dogs under very close control around livestock. Even small dogs can frighten sheep, cattle and ponies – causing serious distress and injury.

4. Ensure total recall

When letting your dog off the lead in safe areas, be certain they will come back when called and that they don’t roam too far. Keeping to the paths as much as possible means wildlife isn’t disturbed and you can keep a closer eye on your dog.

5. Water safety

If your dog is a swimmer, please take them to designated dog ponds or dog dip sections of rivers. Dogs running in and out of ponds can erode the banks, damaging plant life and releasing sediment into the water. This sediment can cloud the water, blocking out light for the plants and animals living below. Flea treatments that are added to the back of a dog’s neck contain pesticides that can kill freshwater invertebrates. This treatment is very soluble, washing off easily when your dog goes for a swim and potentially harming invertebrates like beetles, dragonfly larvae, and mayflies. You can avoid this by not letting your dog go swimming for a few days after you have applied flea treatment.