Freedom Dog Trails

11/08/2023

Hey folks - this is just for those of you in the village!
If you're having a wander over the weekend and you fancy a pint - we have Fingerprint Brewery pouring pints over on Williamscot Road - it's outside the main festival so you don't need a band - just take a stroll and you'll find us! Local folks serving some tasty beers and cider - some a little too tasty!

28/03/2023

If anyone can help?

*** URGENT APPEAL ***

We are in desperate need of blankets and towels for our dogs in our kennels.
Our yellow donation bins are outside our reception area 24/7; if anyone has any spare and can pop the donations in here we would greatly appreciate it!
Thank you all, as always for your amazing support 👏

01/02/2023

Hello all! Something exciting is happening in the county and we thought you'd like to be the first to know... there's a new dog field facility opening in Oxfordshire in Spring (April). It's going to have something for everyone - I wish I could tell you more but I've been sworn to secrecy! This has been a huge project (I've been lending a hand but this is not ours) and we know it's going to be awesome. If you want to be kept in the loop please subscribe to their mailing list (link below) and you'll be the first to know as information is leaked! https://exciting-maker-3266.ck.page

18/11/2022

This is for any of you who utilise the Northamptonshire fields - because we're based on the county boundary, we figured some of you might be too! Voting for Northants fields open now!

https://forms.gle/67FQs4x8D6KjmRMa6

15/08/2022

Some of you will remember that we used to provide canine first aid courses through Freedom Dog Trails with the simply brilliant Bridget (who also has a dog grooming facility in Cropredy). It was probably the best investment of time and money we've every made for our dogs and now we're able to offer them again through British Dog Fields - both in person and zoom versions of the course (we did a zoom one and it was great). Links below to book one near you!

Book Leamington Spa:
https://britishdogfields.simplybook.it/v2/ /service/9/count/1/

Book Yarton Village Hall:
https://britishdogfields.simplybook.it/v2/ /service/8/count/1/Book

Book a ZOOM Course!
https://britishdogfields.simplybook.it/v2/ /service/7/count/1/

12/08/2022

Hi guys - just a little plug for our dog poo bag subscription service! (and a freebie)

Here's a shocker - your dog is likely to go through at least 13,000 poo bags in it's lifetime. Probably better if they aren't plastic right?!

Next time you get one out - have a look at the small print on the box or on the bag itself and see if you feel satisfied that it's actually as eco-friendly as you believed. Some of the biggest brands are the WORST 'green-washers'.

If you want to check out how it works, click the link and a code for 50 free bags with your first delivery 'FREEDOM' at the checkout.

https://britishdogfields.com/shop/Dog-Poop-Bags-c136528406

22/07/2022

Hi Guys - as many of you know, since the field at Prescot closed, we have been busy with British Dog Fields - and as a result, I have been more preoccupied with the topic of 'Dog Poo Bags' than I could ever have imagined.

To cut a long story short I decided that an affordable, properly eco-friendly poo bag subscription service needed setting up round here and so after a lot of research and in the field testing, I found a really great manufacturer (who really gets the issues), and set up my own dog poo bag dispensory!

If you are in the market for delivered monthly dog poo bags that actually do the job whether you just have 1 dog or are operating a day care facility, please click the link below - https://britishdogfields.com/shop/ or if you want to read more about how sketchy dog poo bags are you can read more about that here: https://britishdogfields.com/compostable-dog-poo-bags-are-shady/

13/07/2022

I know lots of you use Warwickshire dog fields so if you do, your favourite field could use your support!

DING DING! NEXT ROUND: WARWICKSHIRE!

https://forms.gle/NQegM97bhxncFvW18

The next regional round of the British Dog Field of the Year contest is Warwickshire! If you use Warwickshire dog fields, please click the link below to vote for your favourite field! The winner will go through to the national final with all the specialist categories but this one is a people's vote so your input matters!

One lucky voter will have the chance of winning a FREE SESSION at the field of their choice - the winner will be drawn on Friday 22nd July.

02/07/2022

Hello everyone!
This is one for those of you who use dog fields. The British Dog Field of the Year contest (Oxfordshire round) is now open! Please vote to support your favourite in the county - they are all listed on the voting form for you to choose from. There will be a prize draw to win £50 credit at your favourite dog field for one lucky voter!

https://forms.gle/rYoi9M1DX93gxYTU9

If there's one missing, it might be because it's located outside of the county boundary and we needed to make sure it was a fair competition!

29/06/2022

Are there any local dog walkers with capacity for new clients? If so please DM me! (not looking for recommendations for us)

16/06/2022

Folks of South Oxfordshire - you have a new field and it's a corker! Booking is now open and these guys have done an amazing job. Congratulations to the guys Poundon Pastures!

New Field: Bicester, Oxfordshire.

We were really lucky to get a preview of this field and having been talking with the owners for what feels like forever, we're really excited to have the amazing new field in the Oxfordshire district. Full review here:

https://britishdogfields.com/item/poundon-pastures-secure-dog-field-bicester/

05/06/2022

01/06/2022

Hello Freedom Fans!

We know that the vast majority of you have pups that would rather chew their own foot off than go to a dog show on a busy Bank Holiday weekend (ours included!)!

So when we were asked to help judge the Fun Dog Show at The Brasenose Arms in Cropredy for the Jubilee celebrations we thought we’d mix things up a bit by inviting entries from reactive dog owners or dogs that for a variety of reasons can’t attend on the day (our girl is in season).

We’d love you to support this ‘reactive friendly’ competition by submitting your entries for any of the categories listed below via video! Lots of prizes to be won and the best entry from our video entries will also win a custom designed t-shirt in a colour and size of your choice.

All you have to do is send your video via Messenger with the name and age of the dog and the category or categories you’d like to enter!

Nobody left out!

FUN DOG SHOW!

The Brasenose, Station Road, Cropredy.
Sunday 5th June 2022 - 12pm until 4pm

Classes:
Prettiest Girl
Most Handsome Boy
Waggiest Tail
Mini Agility
Cutest Puppy (under 12 months)
Best Trick
Best in Show

All class winners will receive a goody bag and be entered into Best in Show.

Amazing prizes for Best in Show winner.

Registration on the day with small entry fee to be donated to Dogs Trust Ukraine Appeal

30/05/2022

30/05/2022

I know some of you lovely people have found our BritishDogFields.com website useful for locating dog fields to use that meet your needs (whatever they might be) so I thought I'd just share this post - some people who operate sites like ours (reviewing and listing stuff) simply don't post the uncomfortable truth of some of the services they review - opting to only promote the favourable places... there are loads of reasons why we don't do this (despite it being a far nicer job and we'd get much less hassle). I'm afraid to those field owners who don't like being reviewed... you're in the wrong business - it's happening every day on social media, Google and for some on your own website.

Hope you're all having lots of great experiences at fields in and around Banbury! (there's a plug for 2 great fields in the link too if you don't already know about them).

07/03/2022

We've been helping Oaklands in Bloxham get online! If you haven't visited, this secure field is a great 3 acre paddock - huge length to wang a ball, in field parking, and now....SECURE ONLINE BOOKING!

New Booking System Now Live! Bloxham, Oxfordshire.

It's a great moment when we help a dog field owner go online with an easy to use streamlined booking system.

Most dog field owners prefer the ease of an online system but it's also a big step forward for field owners who free up lots of time and have a far more efficient way of managing bookings.

Bookings always increase, communication with customers is far easier, and the behind the scenes management is simple, even for the most technophobic!

If you're in the Oxfordshire area looking for a field to book, check out Oaklands Secure Dog Field in the link below!
https://oaklandsdogfield.simplybook.it/v2/

14/02/2022

I'm sure we're not alone in having had a really scary or just disappointing experience at a dog field - this weekend was a whole new low at a truly terrible dog field...just proved that a fancy website, doesn't mean a good dog field.

Thankfully there are many that are excellent! I know many of you enjoy Ettington Dog Walking Meadow - Really Wild Walks - are there any others you love in the area?

Has anyone else had any terrible experiences? Feel free to message us with any concerns you have about dog fields you've visited.

Visiting dog fields in person is important for all users. We report the facts and remove the element of preference from the review process.

19/01/2022

Hi guys - Just something that's popped across our desk to be aware of:

Dog owners please read and share with friends…

PLEASE BE AWARE
Vets are reporting higher than usual occurrenced of gastroenteritis in dogs which is fitting with a wider phenomenon as reported by The Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET). So far we have found that the cases seen- whilst clearly being poorly- have responded well to treatment.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) advise that with prompt veterinary treatment almost all dogs make a full recovery from this uncommonly violent gastric bug.

How Is This Vomiting Bug Different?
According to Vet Dr Danielle Greenberg of SAVSNET, this vomiting bug is unusual due to:

Prolific vomiting of 5 or more episodes in a 12 hour period which can stop for a period (such as overnight) and then starts again
Dogs are often unable to keep water down at peak vomiting stage
Anorexia and lethargy for 2-5 days
Diarrhoea: Most dogs have ‘gravy-like’ diarrhoea
Full recovery can take 5-10 days

What We Know So Far:
This outbreak is affecting areas across the Midlands, Wales, the North of England and Northern Ireland
The illness is most likely a virus but has not yet been identified.
Seems to be dog-specific, thankfully humans don’t appear to be at risk.
This is not caused by Parvo or Salmonella

Stay safe. get vet advice asap.

15/12/2021

Hi Guys,

We have a few exciting things coming up next year - if anyone hasn't joined our mailing list and would like to receive regular emails and updates on new fields, please sign up!

https://expert-thinker-6710.ck.page/0a9877fc3c

06/10/2021

This affects dog field users more than you might think... planning permission isn't just about draconian government control.... it's about protecting the environment and community...

If you are planning to run a dog field as a commercial operation, renting your land to customers for the purpose of exercising dogs you will need consent from your local planning authority.

22/09/2021

Hi all! As many of you know, we have lots of lovely dog fields in the area and many of you with lock-down pups are using them to work on that ever-elusive reliable recall! As you may know, I decided to help other folks, looking for dog fields to find ones that are suitable for them and their dogs by setting up www.britishdogfields.com. We’re visiting dog fields all over the country to verify their facilities and also helping dog field owners make their facilities as best they can be! Please take a browse through to site if you’re looking to try somewhere local fancy a trip further afield!
If any of you with dog businesses would like to advertise your services to a local audience, each dog field has a space dedicated to local business linking back to your website or FB page – prices start at £5 / month – please feel free to drop me a message if you would like to find out how to jump on board!

10/09/2021

Over 100 dog fields now listed - just 500 to go :) We're going to have a busy few years visiting them all! You can now sign up for updates too which if you're looking for new and exciting fields, dog friendly accommodation with nearby or onsite fields, exclusive hire swimming pools (!), and much more.... You can filter your search too:

https://britishdogfields.com

29/08/2021

There's nothing quite like getting a call from the Sunday Times, asking for your opinion on something to confirm in your head that what you are doing is important to people!

Let's see the standard of dog fields increase, for those doing a good job to get the publicity and business they deserve and the others... well let's vote with our feet. We're fully behind farm diversification - let's tell these landowners what we need and help them do the best possible job! (And hopefully help some ambitious renters avoid the pitfalls of a broken system that led our landlords to unlawfully evict us).

05/08/2021

Morning folks - sad day yesterday as the last of the fencing and equipment was removed from the field. Finally the door closed on what has been an amazing year and a half for us and our dogs in terms of starting something we really believe in. We've certainly learned a few lessons - dog people are awesome - people without dogs really shouldn't be trusted. A lesson learned a very hard way.
So - whilst we gather our thoughts, continue trying to find a way forward, I've been concentrating my efforts on British Dog Feilds - I've redeveloped the whole site to make it as useful a tool as possible for all you folks looking for great facilities to walk your dogs. We're also working with dog field owners to help make their fields better, helping new dog field owners set up and sharing some of the many lessons we've learned.

Please feel free to join the British Dog Fields - Find a Field Group and tell all your doggy friends about our website!

https://britishdogfields.com

Verified Accredited Verified Facilities Drive-In Fresh Water Payment Secure Online Booking Regular User Discounts Special Control Order Dogs Welcome Accessible Fencing 4ft 6ft Under 4ft Over 6ft Size Up to 1 acre 1 to 2 acres 2 to 4 acres 4+ acres OK Disable filters British Dog Fields We offer a rel...

20/07/2021

Can I give my dog frozen treats? 🧊

☀️ The weather has really warmed up over the last few days, and is set to stay that way for a while longer. This has meant a lot of mixed messages being shared over social media.

😞One post that I see frequently shared with regards to ice cubes & frozen treats is well-meaning but a little misleading. The original poster unfortunately misinterpreted what was said by the vet and, when recounting the advice, missed a crucial element of the advice - that the advice was specific to dogs who are experiencing hyperthermia/heatstroke.

✅ If your dog is not showing any signs of heat stroke then it is safe to give them frozen treats, ice cubes and doggy ice cream. You can add ice cubes to their water, let them play with ice cubes or freeze treats inside ice cubes for them.

❌If a dog is showing signs of heatstroke then it can be dangerous to give them frozen treats, ice cubes and icy cold water. Instead you should prioritise getting them to the vet for treatment and using safe methods of cooling on the way.

☀️Some signs of heatstroke are:
- excessive, vigorous panting
- agitation
- dark red, sticky/tacky gums

💦Safe cooling methods:
- stand the dog in cool/tepid water
- wipe the dog's paws, abdomen, arm pits and neck with a wet cloth, refresh and repeat.
- use a fan/air con

‼️Priority should always be to get the dog to the vet as a matter of urgency.
🌡No dogs have died from missing a walk but heatstroke can be fatal.

Prevention is the best option. Why not try some fun training or enrichment in the garden, play in a paddling pool, eat some tasty, frozen snacks or just chill out in front of the fan!

Stay safe out there ☀️🌡

20/07/2021

Dog Field Guidance!

He guys - we're carrying on this page for a number of reasons - hopefully one day it'll be back running as a dog-field portal! In the meantime, we just wanted to say to make sure you check the terms an conditions of any dog field you're booking. Most in this area are EXCELLENT at offering alternatives and rescheduling your session if it turns out to be too hot. Kudos to them - it's a pain in the arse managing lots of cancellations if I'm honest, BUT NOBODY WANTS A DOG OVERHEATING! You can help by checking forward for weather events but today was supposed to be cooler - it's definitely not cooler so most dog field owners will 100% understand if you want to move your session. A few might charge a little admin fee which is fair enough (I don't know anyone who actually bothers doing that even when it says in the terms). Just check - we know of a customer who has just been told 'tough' (effectively) by a dog field when she asked if there was any possibility of moving her session to ANYTIME in the next few weeks. Pretty crappy customer service if nothing else.
Read the Ts and Cs. Dog fields should be legitimate businesses, not side-hustles because people have a spare bit of land.

15/07/2021

Last few sessions at Riverside Meadow - book here - we're open until 10pm tomorrow evening - various sessions available over the next few days: https://freedomdogtrails.simplybook.it/v2/ /category/2/service/1/count/1/

Freedom Dog Trails are secure, fully enclosed dog walking fields - the perfect place for you to let your dog run completely free.Our fields and trails offer a vital facility for people with reactive dogs, but people and pooches join us for all sorts of reasons - they simply want a place where they d...

13/07/2021

Final Call

It is with huge sadness that we announce that we have been forced to close Freedom Dog Trails in Cropredy. From this Friday the field will be closed after a nine month battle with the land owners and despite our desperate pleas to find an amicable and fair solution, we have finally been served an official notice that do not have the means to fight.

This has taken an enormous toll on James and I but our greatest sadness is in the devastating impact this will have on those of you who have come to rely on the field; have had the opportunity to build awesome relationships with your sometimes bonkers dogs; and perhaps most touchingly, those of you who we know have shared your last walk with your pups.

We have enjoyed every minute of the last year and a half at Riverside Meadow. We’ve loved seeing your photos, hearing your success stories, and even picking up the odd rouge p**p! It has been the best thing we’ve done.

For those of you who would like to understand more, we will be sending out an email in due course explaining what has happened – this is not a choice we have made but one that has been forced on us in a truly unjust and unpleasant way. It’s very important to us that you know that we have done everything we can, exhausted all options and done so with determination that has been fuelled by the support you have all shown us.

An enormous thank you to the 833 pawparents who have brought your dogs to play in the field – a place that clears heads, fills hearts and will be missed like heck.

Hannah, James, Arbre and Fleur. ###

01/07/2021

Few lovely sessions this afternoon still available!

https://freedomdogtrails.simplybook.it/v2/

Freedom Dog Trails are secure, fully enclosed dog walking fields - the perfect place for you to let your dog run completely free.Our fields and trails offer a vital facility for people with reactive dogs, but people and pooches join us for all sorts of reasons - they simply want a place where they d...

23/06/2021

Just a few sessions left today - can highly recommend the field right now - it's stunning - teaming with insects - butterflies just coming out!

Available:

12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 8pm and 9pm (evenings are also stunning as the sun goes down!)

https://freedomdogtrails.simplybook.it/v2/ /category/2/service/1/count/1/

Freedom Dog Trails are secure, fully enclosed dog walking fields - the perfect place for you to let your dog run completely free.Our fields and trails offer a vital facility for people with reactive dogs, but people and pooches join us for all sorts of reasons - they simply want a place where they d...