posted by Catherine on Feb 22
Your dog walk in the woods could be doing the ecosystem serious damage!
Dogs are the cause of a lot of damage to wild areas, cause the deaths and injuries of many mammals, birds and fish and can actually be responsible for making species locally extinct!
Don’t forget that domestic dogs are not part of the natural habitat, they are a pest to the natural way of things. Wild animals see them as a predator and run away, and predators can pass on or catch viruses and other illnesses off our pets.
And of course – there are far to many of them in one place! If a piece of woodland becomes a busy dog-walking site – then it will be goodbye to the wildlife.
So, here are a few tips to help make sure that your dog doesn’t become an eco disaster in your local woods and heaths, or to wild places you visit on your holidays.
1) Loiter Around The Car Park
By hanging around the car park when you arrive in a wild area, you will know exactly when and where your dog relieves himself and then be able to clear it away and most poo bins are located here too. Dog feces in woodlands isn’t a natural or beneficial thing, and it can spread diseases to wildlife, other dogs and to humans.
2) Carry An Airtight Container
Always have poop bags and an airtight container in your car, so that if there isn’t a poo bin at the site (which is likely in remote locations) you can take yours away. And don’t pick up your dogs feces in a plastic bag and then leave it there! This is even worse than not picking it up in the first place!
3) Train Your Dog:
By making sure that your dog responds to your basic commands instantly, you can really enjoy wild places without the worry of your pet injuring or killing wildlife. If you can see your dog is stalking something, you can instantly give your command and the situation is over.
4) Use A Long or Extending Leash:
If you are not sure of your ability to control your dog, then make sure you keep it on a lead. That way they can still experience the scents of wildlife without any risk to it, and you can explore an new environment too.
5) Plan Your Route:
By making sure you visit the information board of the place you are visiting, you will be able to see the best or recommended route for dog walkers. These routes don’t mean that you can only go that way, they mean that if the hundreds of dog walkers all went the same route, then other paths, delicate habitats and wildlife-filled locations are less disturbed.
6) Learn About Local Species:
If you know when certain wild animals are migrating through an area, when ground-nesting birds are at risk and when young animals are first exploring their new home – you can avoid taking your dog there. If you (along with a high percentage of other dog walkers) could limit their access during these times – species could be encouraged and saved from needless harm.
7) Stick To The Paths:
If you head off anywhere you want, you could be damaging delicate plants or scaring off other animals. The paths are usually there as they are the best route to use, and sticking to them will limit your impact on the environment. Once you trample a route – others might follow – making it permanent. But it could pass close to a badger, fox or other nest area that will no doubt have to be abandoned if the ‘people’ traffic increases.
Dogs and wildlife can exist in harmony – but it is up to their owners to make this happen. So it’s down to you!
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