How to set up a private dog walking field (UK)

It’s probably crossed all of our minds once or twice about how nice it would be to have a space just for our own client’s dogs by setting up a private dog walking field.

It wouldn’t just be our client’s dogs either, we could also make some extra income by renting out the space to other dog owners and walkers.

But just how easy is it to find a field and what sort of red tape and paperwork needs to be in place to start using it?

Finding land to buy or rent for a secure dog walking field

This is going to be your first hurdle.

Once you’ve started calling local farmers to see if they have anything you’ll find out pretty quickly that you’re not the first to call them and you won’t be the last.

Unless you’re very lucky, this is going to be a long game of staying in touch with people, building relationships so that think of you first when anything comes up and being patient.

Places to look and relationships can be built with:

1. Local farmers
2. Estate agents / Land agents / auctioneers
3. Local council
4. Facebook groups Local/farmers/smallholders/stables etc.
5. Classified adverts (old school!)

After you’ve found your land.

Is it suitable?

For example, is it easily accessible by car, is there parking, is it fenced, does it flood, is there water/electric, buildings?

Once you’ve developed a clear idea of what you’d like to offer people then you’ll have a better idea about what you need to check about your particular piece of land.

If you’re offering secure fencing, does it have it, is it high enough and do you have the budget to make improvements if it needs it? Bear in mind a Husky will leap a 5ft fence with ease, and a Jack Russel will tunnel under it in less time than it takes to take a quick phone call.

If you’re offering shelter for clients on rainy days does it have a building, or will you be able to put one on the land?

What is in the fields nearby? Are there livestock which will excite and distract the dogs, and that the dogs might annoy or upset? Will you need to install a solid fence to block off the view of them?

Do I need planning permission for a dog walking field?

Usually, yes.

It’ll be a change of use normally from agricultural to something called sui generis (Latin for ‘of its own kind’) It basically means your use of the land doesn’t fit into any other category.

You’ll need to hire the services of an independent planning consultant in order to prepare your planning documents as they will fully understand what the council require.

The council are likely to ask some or all of the following;

• How will you dispose of Dog Faeces
• Noise Levels. (Noise assessment is an extra cost and you may need to put up an acoustic fence if asked)
• Fence height
• How people and vehicles will access the site
• Amount of traffic predicted
• Statement of business
• Your level of public liability insurance
• Wildlife reports
• Flood reports

The only time you will not need a change of use is if you only intend to use your enclosed dog walking field for 28 days per year.

Planning permission can be sorted within 8 weeks if it’s straightforward but if they need more information, a part of the paperwork isn’t filled in correctly or a local resident objects, then the process can take much longer, sometimes years.

Will I need to pay business rates?

It’s likely that the field will need valuing for business rates but it’s highly likely that the value will be a low enough level that you would receive small business relief.

As of 2022, if your business property’s rateable value is lower than £12,000 you will pay 0% business rates.

Your rateable value is worked out using its open market rental value on 1 April 2015, based on an estimate by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). So it’s based on what you could rent the property for, not what you paid to buy it.

Now for the fun stuff

Now the boring legalities are out of the way, how are you going to design your field. You might decide to keep it natural because there are enough features in it already and not just a plain, flat boring piece of grass. Or will you fill it with enrichment stations, benches and man made structures?

Creating a safe and comfortable environment takes some thought. Water stations, waste disposal facilities, and shaded areas for dogs to rest. Consider hiring a professional dog behaviourist to help you create a safe and enjoyable environment for dogs.

Marketing your dog field

Just as you would with your dog walking business, you can promote your business through social media, local newspapers, and dog-related websites, and consider offering special promotions and discounts to attract new customers.

Marketing your dog walking field can help you attract more customers and build a loyal following. Here are some effective ways to market your dog walking field:

1. Create a website: Develop a website for your dog walking field that showcases your services, prices, and location. Be sure to include plenty of high-quality photos of the field, so potential customers can get a sense of what it looks like.
2. Use social media: Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to promote your dog walking field. Share photos and updates about the field, and engage with your followers to build a community around your business.
3. Offer promotions and discounts: Consider offering a discount for first-time customers or creating a loyalty program that rewards customers for frequent visits. These promotions can incentivize people to try out your dog walking field and keep them coming back.
4. Attend local events: Attend dog-related events like adoption days, dog shows, or local fairs to promote your business. Bring business cards or flyers to hand out to potential customers.
5. Advertise in local newspapers and magazines: Place ads in local newspapers, magazines, and online directories that cater to dog owners. This can help you reach a wider audience and attract customers who may not be active on social media.
6. Partner with local businesses: Partner with other dog-related businesses in your area, such as pet stores or dog groomers, to cross-promote your services. You can offer referral discounts to each other’s customers to encourage more business.

Remember to stay consistent with your marketing efforts and track your results to see what’s working best. Be creative and try new strategies to see what resonates with your target audience.

Be sure to check out our full guide to starting your own dog walking business.