A guest blog by Alice from Coast and Country Canines about choosing to walk in a safer, more enjoyable and wildlife aware way.
As dog owners, we value the natural world – after all, we are the ones out in it every day. Working together to protect natural spaces is just part of being a responsible dog walker, and best of all, it doesn’t have to make walks less fun.
Coast and Country Canines is a local project dedicated to supporting the dog-walking community in caring for the natural spaces we all love. During winter, the coast around Chichester Harbour becomes a haven for vulnerable migratory birds, while spring brings the start of the breeding season. Throughout the year, it’s vital that wildlife has the space it needs to survive and thrive.
That’s why we’ve put together a range of resources, created by dog walkers, for dog walkers, designed to help you enjoy your walks while looking after nature.
We offer featured walking routes, free training guides, well-researched blogs about all things dog, and free events for dog walkers around the Solent. We have a particularly exciting date for your diary coming up next month – on Saturday 25 April we will be at River Hamble Country Park for our second Dogs’ Day Out, a fun-filled event designed especially for dogs and the people who love them. Set in beautiful natural surroundings, there will be ‘have‑a‑go’ activities, expert demonstrations, and top training tips from local professionals.You’ll also find scenic walking trails and a range of independent stalls. Visit our website to find out more.
Featured walking routes
All of our featured walks include a safe place for dogs to play, beautiful views, and details on where to park and the other facilities available in each location, such as public toilets or cafes. Our walks also include information on how to be wildlife aware, with specific advice for each area.
We are building on our selection of walks all the time, and we would love to see you and your dogs enjoying them. If you try one of our walks, please do snap a photo, tag us on social media and let us know if you and your dog had fun. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook at @coastandcountrycanines
Free training guides
Our free training guides cover a range of helpful skills that you might need for a wildlife aware walk, such as recall, loose lead walking and ‘leave’. All have been written by our resident behaviourist, with welfare as a top priority. We have also included games to play with your dog that will help keep them engaged with you while you are out and about.
Free events for dog owners
Our free guided Waggy Walks are an opportunity for likeminded dog lovers to get together and explore a new route, and they are a great way for dogs to meet new friends too. Our walks take place in a variety of different locations around the Solent coast – keep an eye on our events page to find out where we will be going next.
We also offer subsidised workshops in partnership with local dog trainers focused on essential skills like recall and loose lead walking – ideal for strengthening your bond and boosting confidence with your dog. All of our workshops are advertised on our events page.
Working together to help nature thrive
We hope you find our resources helpful and maybe even join us on a Waggy Walk. Most importantly, have fun, stay safe, and keep an eye out for wildlife. Together, we can all do our bit to protect nature. Happy walking!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @coastandcountrycanines