Imagine the scene. You’re out walking with your dog in a lovely big field and there are no other dogs or humans as far as the eye can see. Your dog is having the best time ever. They’re off the leash and loving it! They’re happily exploring their surroundings and sniffing things out without hurtling off towards another dog or human or becoming scared if one approaches. Plus, you don’t have to say the phrase ‘don’t worry, he’s friendly’ every five minutes! Ahhh bliss.
You’re having a brilliant time, too. It’s the greatest feeling ever to see your dog have so much freedom. You don’t always have to be on the lookout or dart into a bush or behind a car to avoid others. It’s such a relief not to feel stressed, annoyed or embarrassed by their reactive or aggressive behaviour when they’re around others.
Welcome to the world of private-use dog fields! Places where you and your dog (or dogs!) can have space to yourselves to enjoy a stress-free walk. Even better, many dog fields double up as playgrounds with sensory enrichment areas like sand pits, logs and tunnels – so plenty of activities to keep them interested and tire them out!
It’s also a brilliant space to train your dog, without any interruptions - meaning you can build your dog’s confidence or improve their behaviour at your own pace. You can use them to build your confidence and test your dog’s recall.
WHY USE A DOG PARK?
Well, if you have a nervous, reactive or aggressive dog, you’ll know that walks aren’t always a whole lot of fun – for either of you. Even if you find an empty field, you never know when another human or dog will show up, so you can never truly switch off, relax and enjoy your walk. After all, dog walks should be good for our mental health too!
With a private dog field or park you get the whole place to yourselves. No frustration and no painful pulling on the lead – because you can safely let them off. No panicking that they’ll run away – because the field is secure. No nervousness about meeting other humans and dogs – because there are none!
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A DOG PARK?
Dogs exploring and sniffing around Scentventure style, at Dogwood Adventure Play!
1. Privacy
The first thing you should check is that it’s for exclusive use. Private dog fields and parks have timed sessions, which should include a buffer period before you arrive and after you leave to ensure you don't bump into anyone. Make sure you look out for that when looking for a dog park!
2. Safety and security
This is obviously a big consideration when looking for a suitable dog walk near you. Dog parks should have suitable fencing so you can let your dog off the lead without worrying they’ll run off and escape. Here at Dogwood, we have a coded double-gate entry system and we use otter fencing (this has smaller gaps than the standard deer fencing most fields use).
3. Size and space
Your dog is going to love having a field to run around in – but how much space do they really need? If you’ve got a small dog or a puppy you might not need a huge dog park. A large field is great for energetic dogs that appreciate plenty of room to let off steam, and can be great if you’ve got an extended dog family to walk. But as you’ll soon see, the size of the field is way less important than what’s inside!
4. Number of dogs allowed
Talking of extended dog families, it’s a good idea to check how many dogs are allowed at a time. Dog parks usually let you bring more than one dog – but they may have rules on how many humans need to accompany them. We allow up to eight dogs as part of the same group for our dog field hire.
5. Enrichment and activities
With a choice of secure dog walks near Darlington, Stockton on Tees and other local areas, you might want to look for ones that offer enrichment and activities, too. Tunnels, sand pits and climbing frames will turn an ordinary walk into an exciting adventure playground for your dog. There’s a reason Dogwood is the home of ‘Scentventure’, because dogs want more than just a field! They want to explore, sniff and find new and exciting things!
6. Bringing your own toys
Some dogs just love their own toys and equipment, don’t they? It’s worth asking if you can bring them with you to the dog park. We’re happy for you to bring your own things to Dogwood, as long as you take them with you at the end.
7. Hygiene and hydration
Obviously, you’ll take your own poo bags with you but check there are dog bins to dispose of them. You’ll also want somewhere that provides water and bowls, of course.
8. Facilities for humans
Making sure your dog has a great time is your main priority – but it can’t hurt to have a few little touches for humans, too. Maybe a bench to sit on or a picnic area to stop at. And perhaps a lovely view. As for a beautiful sunset – well, I guess that would be the icing on the cake!
These are all things we provide at Dogwood, because we’re firm believers in us humans having as much joy on walks as our dogs!
The biggest things to avoid in a dog park? A park owner that isn’t passionate about it!
Katie, Owner of Dogwood Adventure Play
In my consultancy role I hear a lot of people say they want to open a dog walking field to make ‘passive income’, i.e. making money without putting in much effort.
A fairy dies every time someone says that. If it wasn’t so sad it would be funny. Needless to say, I don't work with those people.
You and your dog deserve more than providing someone’s ‘passive income.’
You deserve someone running your dog’s exercise facility who puts their heart and soul into it–who has worked with thousands of reactive and easily distracted dogs and their families and understands their needs.
You deserve someone who is obsessed with reading the latest research then applying it to new features, equipment and activities to ensure you and your dogs not only have the best experience time after time, but that it benefits your dogs’ behaviour and wellbeing.
❌ It’s not enough to fence off a spare piece of land to make a bit of extra cash
❌ It’s not enough to install equipment when you don’t know its real function
❌ It’s not enough to start a dog business if you’re not an expert in canine behaviour
Do you actually need to obsessively study dog behaviour to run a dog field? Do you need to know which exercise patterns cause the brain and body stress and make aggression and hyperactivity worse? You might argue you don’t need to. People can still open a field and install the same equipment as we have at Dogwood. But do they know why I designed that equipment? Which essential canine need it fulfils? Or how to adapt it for different dogs? Does it even matter? To me it does, because to me it’s essential that you and your dogs have the best, safest experience imaginable.
That’s why Dogwood is more expensive than other fields. We invest more, not only in the facilities themselves, but in making sure everything we do is based on the most up to date research… and we’re prepared to change it all at the drop of a hat. It costs more to develop new ideas than to model existing ones.
Is it worth it to us to go the extra mile (literally!) for the right dog park?
Absolutely.
The transformations - from fearful to confident, from reactive to calm. There are people who’ve told me they were considering rehoming their dog before they found Dogwood, and there is one person whose dog may not even be with us at all anymore, their behaviour was that difficult.
Dogwood changed Lao’s life, it changed my life and thousands of other people in our community.
What else is important to you? Giving back to the community…
A little girl and her dog enjoying Scentventure at the North East Dog Festival. Photo credit Ten77 Dog Photography.
It’s worth also considering what other things may be important to you when choosing a dog park, things that go beyond the facilities themselves.
Do you want to be part of a community? It can be lonely being 100% responsible for a dog with behavioural issues, so feeling a part of something bigger, having a support network to lift you up on the bad days and celebrate your dog walking wins can be a godsend. That’s why we created Club Dogwood - a training Club that specialises in the problems that are unique to reactive and easily distracted dogs, so that nobody ever needs to feel alone. You don’t need to be a paying member to benefit from our community though - you will always be made to feel welcome and included.
What about the wider community? You may want to support dogs less fortunate. Giving back is at the heart of Dogwood. We know that not all dogs are as fortunate as Dogwood dogs, that’s why we help those in rescue centres. As well as donating Adventure Play sessions to local rescue centres and reduced cost sessions to newly adopted rescue dogs, we run fundraising events throughout the year - for example our annual Snuffle-mat-a-thon where in the true spirit of Christmas we craft until our fingers bleed (well, maybe not quite!) to donate the mats to rescue centres all across the country.
Dogwood clients come for the first-class dog walking facilities but stay for the community spirit and togetherness. Dogwood is a close-knit community of people who genuinely love and care for each other.
As our client, Jenny said -
“Dogwood is just special. And I don’t mean just because of the fields. It has a big heart.”
If that sounds like your kind of crowd, then you're in the right place.
PICKING A DOG FIELD
I hope I’ve given you an idea of what to look for and things to think about before choosing a secure dog field or park. Often, these things are down to personal choice so I’ve picked out a selection of dog parks I recommend, and you can decide for yourself.
I’ve included a few reviews for each dog field as these are always a good indication of what a place is like.
To be as helpful as I can, I’ve also added some information on our dog field here at Dogwood so you can compare what’s on offer.
FROM DURHAM TO DARLINGTON – THE DOGS FIELDS WE RECOMMEND
K9 Fun Time
Where they’re based: Kirklevington
Overview: Of all the fields on this list, K9 Fun Time is the only one I have personally visited and I have no hesitation recommending Lucy’s facilities to anyone.
What they offer: A lovely field for dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes and a warm welcome from Lucy.
South Acres Fields
Where they’re based: Darlington
Overview: Family-run dog-walking fields
What they offer: Two fields – a large field for energetic dogs and a smaller field for smaller dogs and puppies.
Where they’re based: Darlington
Overview: A family-run dog walking and adventure park.
What they offer: Toys, tunnels, hurdles, poles, balls and ‘lookout’ hills give dogs plenty of play time at this secure park. You can book a 25- or 55-minute session.
Paws Play, Sedgefield
Where they’re based: Sedgefield
Overview: Private-hire dog walking fields located on a small family farm in County Durham
What they offer: Two secure fields of around 2.5 acres each, separated and screened from each other. Both come with adjustable-height hurdles and weave poles, plus water tap and bowl.
Adventure Paws
Where they’re based: Ingleton
Overview: A 2-acre secure field on a family-run farm in County Durham.
What they offer: Dogs can walk, run and play thanks to enrichment features including tyres, tunnels, logs, agility bars and a toy box.
AND A BIT ABOUT OUR FIELDS AT DOGWOOD…
We’re called Dogwood Adventure Play – which does what it says on the tin!
We offer two specially designed secure fields to give your dog plenty of adventure and play. Our Adventure Play® climbing frames were designed to provide a workout for the mind, body and nose®. We also have pools, digging pits, rock climbs, scent walls and our rather special Sensory Gardens with a collection of wonderful fragrances for your dog to sniff out.
Yes, it’s a dog field – but come visit us, and you’ll see it’s so much more than just a field!
We have over 250 reviews on Google, and you can check them all out just here.
Want a dog field with a difference?