Woof's Ways
We love our furry friends and we want them to get the most out of their adventures within the Nene Valley. For all dogs and their owners to have the best experience, it is essential that we can respect each other and our surroundings. Here is a guide to how to promote positive behaviour in the Nene Valley.
Nene Valley Woof's Always:
Stay in sight of our owners and under control.
If you see another dog on a lead, give them plenty of space and always ask before saying hello. Not all dogs and their owners like other dogs and that is okay. |t is important we can all enjoy these wonderful spaces. Some dogs are in training and need to try really hard not to get distracted. Some dogs have had bad experiences that have made them reactive, this doesn’t make them bad dogs, but we should all give them the space they need. If you can’t trust your dog not to greet another dog, keep them on a lead around others.
Follow signs requesting that dogs are kept on leads in specified areas
If you see another dog on a lead, give them plenty of space and always ask before saying hello. Not all dogs and their owners like other dogs and that is okay. |t is important we can all enjoy these wonderful spaces. Some dogs are in training and need to try really hard not to get distracted. Some dogs have had bad experiences that have made them reactive, this doesn’t make them bad dogs, but we should all give them the space they need. If you can’t trust your dog not to greet another dog, keep them on a lead around others.
Keep dogs on leads around livestock
Always keep your dog on a tight leash when walking near livestock, but especially during lambing season. Sadly, every year we loose sheep to dog attacks and even a friendly dog off a lead can cause significant stress to a pregnant sheep or cow which can result in them losing their babies. Worrying livestock is a criminal offence, and farmers have rights to shoot dogs that do so. Where possible always take a wide berth when walking around other farm animal and always adhere to ‘Dogs on leads’ symbols. However, please note, if you ever experience cows coming towards you and your dog at speed, then release your dogs lead and allow your dog to run to safety.
Stick to main paths in nature reserves
Across nature reserves, paths are specifically made to ensure that disturbance to the nature living in these areas is kept to a minimum. Keep your dogs on paths with you in these areas and avoid letting them disappear into the trees and out of sight. Studies show that when we approach birds from unexpected directions, they are more likely to fly away. However, when we stick to paths, birds are accustomed to people maintaining the same amount of distance and remain comfortably in their position.
Bag and bin our poo
Even if we think we are helping the environment by not using bags, it is crucial we always pick up our dogs poo and bin it in a suitable bin. Dog poo contains high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, both of which fertilise the soil. Whilst this may not seem like a bad thing, lots of our rare plants and wild flowers will only thrive in nutrient poor soil. If soil becomes too fertile, bully species like nettles and hogweed will take over and our wildflowers will disappear.
Dog poo can also spread diseases both to humans and livestock. Neosporosis is a disease transmitted in dog poo that, if contracted by cattle, is untreatable and can cause calves to die before they are born. An estimated 5% of cows abort their calves due to neosporosis annually, costing the average dairy farmer £3000 each year. Picking up your dog’s poop can help to protect our hardworking cows from this horrible disease.
Always opt for biodegradable poo bags.
Only swim in safe waters and opt for flea tablets
A lot of dogs love a dip in the water, especially during hot weather. It is important that we only swim in areas where this is permitted, and not in protected areas such as gravel pit lakes.
For the safety of our dogs, it is important that we follow signs. Often during the prolonged hot weather, blooms of blue-green algae can occur in many of our waterways, particularly in areas of still water like lakes. Blue-green algae contains toxins which can be deadly for dogs (and humans) if ingested so if water has a blue-green tinge or obvious algal blooms, do not let your dog enter the water.
Lots of pet owners routinely use spot on flea treatments to protect their animals again these nuisance parasites. However, in order to be effective, these treatments contain extremely concentrated levels of harmful insecticices, including neo-nicotenoids. It is estimated that a single spot on treatment contains enough pesticide to kill 60 million bees! If a dog is allowed to swim after being treated, these pesticides enter the water, poisoning our rivers and wreaking havoc with aquatic ecosystems. Always ask the vet for flea tablets instead of spot on treatments.