Dogs are more popular than ever, with an estimated 34% of UK households giving ‘man’s best friend’ a home in 2022. All these dogs need fresh air and exercise, which can bring them into conflict with wildlife. Even the friendliest, most gentle dog still looks like a predator – and that’s exactly how wildlife sees it. An encounter with a dog can be hugely stressful for birds, mammals, reptiles, and other animals. Sometimes it can even be fatal.

Our dogs can also have less direct impacts on the natural world around them. It might seem harmless to leave dog poo in the undergrowth, but the extra nutrients this adds to the soil can disrupt nature’s balance, leading to the loss of wildflowers. Cleaning up after your dog and keeping them on a short lead on nature reserves and in other vital wildlife habitats can go a long way towards keeping wildlife safe. You can find out more in our guidelines here.

We spoke to some dog-lovers from around the Wildlife Trusts to find out how they balance their love for nature with the needs of their four-legged friends. Here’s what they had to say…

Sarah-Kay and Lily

My name is Sarah-Kay and I’m the mid-Wales red squirrel officer with The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. I currently have one dog, Lily (aka Boggles), a rescue collie. Lily is one of those clever collies who can learn anything, except how to chill. She is very nervous of other dogs, and also thinks that meadow pipits are REALLY exciting. I keep her on lead almost all the time for both these reasons. I don’t want to risk her running up to another nervous dog and causing them stress, nor her disturbing wildlife while she frolics around barking at the meadow pipits!

One great tool I’ve found for giving her the exercise she needs is Canicross – basically cross-country running with your dog on a harness! Lily gets to run, I get some exercise too, and she can help pull me along when I’m flagging.

Dog poo is another big issue for nature. One of my most-used Christmas presents ever is the Ruffwear pack-out bag (other brands are available!). This is a waterproof, scent-proof pouch that goes with me everywhere. It means I can pick up her poo and take it home with me, or to the next bin, even if that isn’t for many miles. I try to be a responsible dog owner, and that means caring for her as best I can, without compromising the welfare of wildlife, other people, or dogs.

Katy and Vinnie

I’m Katy, senior conservation officer for Ulster Wildlife. I manage species projects across Northern Ireland, including barn owls, red squirrels, and hedgehogs. I have a handsome rescue collie called Vinnie (or Vincent when he’s in trouble) and we love exploring nature together.

I feel very strongly about responsible dog ownership and feel we all have a part to play in minimising wildlife disturbance. I am lucky enough to live on the coast and often see owners allowing their dogs to chase waders and seabirds on the beach. Chasing birds may not seem like a big deal but if this is happening to those birds 50 times a day it becomes a real problem as it stops them from resting and feeding, both vital for their survival. Your dog may never actually catch anything but imagine being a tiny seabird and having to escape for your life every time a dog comes charging along. They see that dog as a predator and respond appropriately. That is why Vinnie is always on a lead when wildlife is around!

Another thing that Vinnie and I always take notice of are ‘keep your dog on a lead’ signs. These are not there to ruin your dog’s fun and always have a reason behind them. I often work on a site where there are red squirrels and recently a dog caught and killed one. This is devastating when we are working so hard to save this species. So, if you see these signs, please know they are there for a reason – it might be a rare species is present, such as a plant that needs protection from trampling or a ground-nesting bird is breeding.

Next time you are out and about with your companion, think about what impact you might be having on the landscape around you and how you can both enjoy nature responsibly. We are a nation of both dog lovers and nature lovers after all.