Secure Dog Fields in Mid Devon
I have looked into five secure dog fields in Mid Devon, not just from a dog photographer's point of view but also as a reactive dog owner. A dog with little recall too, sound familiar?
So why are Secure Dog Fields so useful?
Secure Dog Fields are the perfect place to have some stress free fun with your dog. Once inside you can work with your dog, practise some training or let your dog roam free, safe in the knowledge that they are secure and safe from harm from other dogs/people/whatever they find too much or overwhelming. From a training point of view it is a safe space that you can work with your dog with less distractions.
Secure Dog Fields are ideal for nervous and reactive dogs, dogs that lack recall, bitches in season. Perfect for dogs on reduced exercise or under physio care for rehabilitation, you can monitor exactly what your dog does or set up exercises that have been prescribed in a different environment. Limited exercise can be very boring not just for your dog but for you as well.
Secure Dog fields are great if you want to meet friends with dogs, where you know they can have a safe razz around and have zoomies without the fear of meeting other dogs who might not approve of such fun and frivolous behaviour! You can sit back with a coffee or picnic, sounds idilic in the summer months maybe no so much in the winter.
All in all, secure dog fields are a brilliant invention that has really caught on allow your dog to roam free without the worry of traffic, wildlife, contact with other dogs or livestock. Secure dog fields are popping up everywhere so just google your local area.
Personally, I love them for my dog and they have proved very useful for photographing rescue dogs and nervous dogs, a safe environment where a can photograph the dog on or off the lead with me as near or far away from them as they can cope with. Making for a fun, enjoyable photo shoot for all involved.
So you want to know my favourite Secure Dog Fields in Mid Devon - here they are
Name - Paradise Dog Park
Location - Calverleigh near Tiverton
PRICES - at time of going 2022/23
Benefits
Secure big car park for ease of loading and unloading dogs
Double gate entry for safety
Entry gate wide enough for a pushchair or wheelchair
Long grass so would need an off road buggy/wheel chair
6 acres – fairly flat
Undercover area with a picnic table
Big open ground for zoomies
Big log piles for sniffing and playing chase me/hide and seek around.
Little copse of trees at one end with bramble undergrowth and trees for interest.
Ideal for big dogs with the space for good run, play and zoomies. If training there is a lot of distractions - ie undergrowth, trees, brambles and log piles. Great for testing your skills.
Undergrowth around the entire perimeter for snuffling for wildlife
Easy to find, although single track lanes for the last few miles.
Name - Pooches Paddock
Location - Copplestone/Newbuildings near Crediton
PRICES - at time of going 2022/23
30 Minute Session (Maximum of 4 dogs) – £6.50
1 Hour Session (Maximum of 4 dogs) – £10.00
90 Minute Session (Maximum of 4 dogs) – £15.00
(Each additional dog is charged at £2.50 per session)
Contact/Booking - Online Booking System
Benefits
Secure, big car park for ease of loading and unloading dogs
Double gate entry for safety
Entry gate wide enough for a wheelchair and gravel path to a seating area
5 acres with no hidden areas, ideal to always see your dog
Slight gradient
Wash down area by the gate complete with shampoo
A few agility obstacles and some tyres to bounce and play in and around
Minimal distractions for training in a bigger area
Name - Paws for Pleasure
Location - Thorverton
PRICES - at time of going 2022/23
30 Minute Session £7 (1-2 dogs) £9 (3-4 dogs)
1 Hour Session £11 (1-2 dogs) £12.50 (3-4 dogs)
Priced per vehicle so consider buddying up in the car if you are meeting a friend with their dog.
Contact/Booking -
Benefits
Secure car park big enough for two cars.
Warm shower in a wash down area with an undercover area with bench seating.
5 Acres
Really impressed with the variety for your dogs’ stimulation - long grass, short grass, streams, a little pond (beware for puppies and none swimming dogs), open play area and grass paths cut to make your movement through the long grass easier.
Plus, a small Agility area. Two outside seating areas for sitting with a picnic or just to take in the view.
CCTV in operation for peace of mind.
I love going here for photoshoots as there is so much variety.
It is also a great place to go with friends, as the dogs have so much to interact with, you have time to chat and enjoy a coffee and picnic (Exe Valley Farm Shop & The Ruby Red Cafe does a great take out, they are just on the outskirts of Thorverton and are open 7 days a week ).
Name - Allerford Dog Exercise Paddock
Location - Dolton near Winkleigh
PRICES - at time of going 2022/23
30 Minute Session £4 (unlimited dogs)
1 Hour Session £8 (unlimited dogs)
Group bookings
30 Minute Session £3 per owner (unlimited dogs)
1 Hour Session £6 per owner (unlimited dogs)
Contact/Booking
https://www.facebook.com/allerford/
Facebook contact or email
Benefits
Small and very well maintained paddock.
Ideal if you need your eyes on your dog at all times, useful for training without distractions.
A shelter with a picnic bench.
There is a steep entrance to the field.
A fenced funnel area to aid catching a reluctant dog, ideal for rescue/nervous dogs.
Name - Brampford Speke Dog Paddock
Location - Brampford Speke near Exeter
PRICES - at time of going 2022/23
30 Minute Session £4 - 1 dog
1 Hour Session £8 - 1 dog
1 Hour Session £10 - 3 dogs
30 Minute Session £6 - 3 dogs
Contact/Booking
Benefits
2 acres of 6ft secure deer fencing
Shelter with a picnic bench
Logs and tyres to stimulate play and exploration
Ideal for training your dog as their are distractions but low level and you can always see your dog.
I am always impressed with just how clean it is there. Ideal if you have a dog that eats its own or other dogs poop, this is also known as coprophagia, and it is a normal behaviour for many animals and is seen in roughly 25% of dogs so you are not alone.
I also love the use of some astroturf stripes, ideal if it is wet and/or you have a dog that is less keen to sit or train on wet/muddy ground.
It is also very close to The Agricultural Inn, know for its fine food and it is of course dog friendly. So that is a win, win for me.
I would love to hear of your experiences of secure dog fields in Devon. Have you been to another one in Mid Devon that you think I should feature?
I hope this has been of use, let me know.
Enjoy, Fx