Dogwood Adventure Play - Dog Walking Fields & Training Centre
Dogwood Adventure Play has two purpose built secure fields available to hire on a sole-use basis. As Welcome to the North East's first Dog Adventure Park!
An enriching environment for your dog to run, play, sniff, discover and learn. A place for you to relax. Dogwood Adventure Play is set across seven acres of countryside with two secure fields and a training paddock. We’re between Darlington and Stockton and easily accessible from both - though we serve clients from all across Tees Valley and the North East and Yorkshire. Our purpose-built parks ar
e available for you and your dog to hire on an individual basis all year round, seven days a week. Ideal for dogs that can’t be let off lead in public places – perhaps because they don't enjoy meeting other dogs, or for those that don’t have great recall skills, puppies or adult dogs who need to work on training in a secure environment, owners of rescue dogs who need to bond with their new companion, or anyone else who enjoys watching their dog run free. You have exclusive use of the park during your booking. The coded double-gate entry system and carefully timed slots mean you won’t be disturbed. For extra peace of mind, in-field parking allows you to lock the gate before letting your dogs out of your vehicle. Adventure Play® frames increase confidence, range of motion, strength and balance, while the Sensory Gardens are made up of a variety of smells, surfaces and textures to engage all the senses and reduce stress and anxiety, encourage dogs to be more secure in their surroundings, and provide mental stimulation and enrichment. Dogs love exploring the fascinating environment rich with scent, while their happy humans sit back on a bench and relax. Where would Dogwood be without Scentventure®? Well, just another field. Dogwood is a SCENTVENTURE PARK where your dog can sniff, climb, stretch and develop strength and confidence - all the components needed for calm, relaxation and focus. Enriched environments like Dogwood are well-known by behavioural experts to reduce behavioural problems such as reactivity. Dog Trainer, Scentwork Instructor and Canine Enrichment Specialist, Katie created Dogwood Adventure Play when she needed a safe space to exercise her own reactive rescue dog Lao. Since then, Dogwood has hosted thousands of off-lead adventures, helped hundreds of reactive and distracted dogs and their owners enjoy stress free walks via Katie’s signature training system Scentventure, and created an international community of Club Dogwood members who are enjoying calm walks and adventures, no matter where in the world they live. Katie brings over a decade of experience at Dogs Trust, qualifications, accreditations and hundreds of hours of learning from the top minds and organisations in the industry to ensure you and your dog always benefit from the latest scientific research and behavioural studies. She also offers a consultancy service to help other people open their own Dogwoods around the country. Community is at the very heart of everything we do. Dogwood advocates for rescue dogs, donating Adventure Play sessions to local rescues every week and hosting fundraisers throughout the year. Now you and your dog can enjoy the same fear-free, off-lead experience as Katie and Lao at Dogwood Adventure Play, the North East’s first dog adventure park. Your dog was born to sniff, discover and play, and at Dogwood you can give them exactly what they need whilst you enjoy a relaxing, stress-free adventure walk with your best friend. Get in touch to find out how you can join our exclusive dog adventure community. As seen in The Times, Edition Dog, BBC, Puppy Post and more.
''We've tried other secure fields in the area but they're not a patch on Dogwood. Our dogs cry with excitement when we say 'Dogwood'. The original and best!''
- Sue Green
04/01/2025
Things you can stop apologising for in 2025 📣
Do you feel guilty about any of these things?
🗨️ Not taking your dog for the same kinds of walks as other dogs
🗨️ Not having a dog who is as sociable as other dogs
🗨️ Saying sorry when your dog hasn’t done anything wrong
🗨️ Keeping your dog on a lead
❌ You don’t have to.
Every decision you make should be about what’s best for you and your dog, not about meeting someone else’s expectations. Walking your dog differently, prioritising their comfort over social pressure, or keeping them on a lead for safety is an act of love, not something to feel guilty about.
Your dog doesn’t compare, and you will feel better when you don’t either
03/01/2025
January, with its promise of fresh shiny beginnings and blank slates is great and everything, but what if your dog’s behaviour is SO bad that you don’t think they’ll EVER be able to change?
Maybe they’re too set in their ways, and their problems are too deeply ingrained?
Chances are you’ve already spent a fortune on training and behaviour ‘solutions’ that didn’t work and the last thing you want to do is start yet another thing just to feel like a failure again. Why should this January be any different?
People often join our Stress Free Dog Walks January Challenge as a last resort when nothing else has worked. They think, ‘Well, I might as well try it because I’ve got nothing to lose.’
And I’m so glad they do because year after year people tell us that it saved their relationship with their dog.
Instilling hope in those who have lost it is our greatest reward in the January Challenge.
If you’re feeling hopeless too right now, we understand, and we are here for you. Let us lighten your load ✨
The link is in the comments 💌
02/01/2025
Does your dog pull, bark or lunge on walks? Getting a diagnosis is the first step to fixing it.
Take our Stress Free Walks Diagnostic quiz to uncover your dog's Walking Personality and get personalised tips to help you enjoy relaxing, stress free dog walks 🐕
Take the FREE Assessment 📝
02/01/2025
As we step into 2025, the world of dog training, behaviour, and guardianship is evolving in profound and exciting ways.
Last year I witnessed remarkable shifts in how Club Dogwood members approach their relationships with their dogs, their training journeys, and even their perspectives on what it means to be a “successful” dog owner.
I would LOVE to see what’s already happening inside Club Dogwood become the norm in the broader world of dog ownership in 2025.
The trends I’m seeing reflect a growing desire to move away from quick fixes, comparison, and superficiality, and toward deeper connections, courage in the face of challenges, and thorough long-lasting behaviour solutions.
With that in mind, I’ve identified key shifts that I believe will shape the way we think about and care for our dogs in 2025 and beyond.
The future of dog training and behaviour isn’t about perfect dogs or perfect owners—it’s going to be real people and real dogs navigating the messy, beautiful process of growth together. These predictions are my vision for what that future looks like 🌍✨
31/12/2024
Before Dogwood West even had a name, its purpose was to solve a huge problem in my life: that is, how to exercise my reactive rescue dog Lao safely.
The first time I opened the gate for Lao, I knew our lives had changed. I’m happy that Dogwood continues to transform lives, even though Lao is no longer with us.
And now that Fifi is no longer with us, I’m reminded of how precious the time is that we have with our dogs, and how it is our primary duty as guardians to make their short lives as safe, secure and fear-free as we can.
Enriching the lives of dogs in our community and making your life easier, less stressful, safer, and more exciting, remains my top priority. I’m so grateful for this strong community; without you this safe space we’ve built would be so much less meaningful.
⭐ Lao’s Values continue to guide Dogwood into the New Year: Friendship, Belonging, Hope, Freedom, Love, Fun and above all, COURAGE. Because as Lao taught me, courage is the momentum behind progression 🦁
So here’s to you, your dogs, and our community! 🥂
Have a fantastic New Years’ Eve and all my very best wishes to you and your dogs for the brand new year ✨
Love, Katie 🧡
30/12/2024
Just a few days left of the year and I want to make sure nobody gets left behind in 2025.
The FIFTH annual Stress Free Dog Walks January Challenge starts 12th Jan. This is what we’re calling an "EMERGENCY" challenge because we’re seeing SO many people struggling at the moment - with the cost of living, their dog’s behaviour getting worse in winter, and people just feeling completely overwhelmed and frazzled 🤯
I put in a lot of hours over Christmas and New Year organising this event because we see year after year how much it helps dog owners.
💌 Would you be able to help me get this message to those who need it please? 💌
If you know anyone who is stuck in the daily misery of stressful walks, then this is probably the best chance they have of changing that.
And since the training is free, shouldn’t we work together to help as many people as we can to have a better life for themselves and for their dog, when they need it most?
That is how we can make a difference. Together 🫶🏼
⭐️ So please spread the word by sharing this post and tagging friends, family, colleagues and any other people in your life who would feel massive relief from sorting out their dog’s behaviour ⭐️
Let's not leave anyone behind 🧡
29/12/2024
You might have noticed that we do things a little differently at Dogwood and Scentventure!
Others have noticed too! This year we scooped not one but TWO awards for innovation in the dog training and secure field hire categories! That brings the count to FOUR awards for innovation in 3 years! 🎉
It’s a moment to celebrate, but also to reflect on the “how” and “why” behind our innovation.
🚀 Innovation isn’t just about being different; it’s about *making a difference*. It requires a deep understanding of what our humans and their dogs are going through (which is second nature when you’ve been there!)
🚀It’s the bold curiosity to ask, “What if?” It’s what keeps us striving to deliver experiences that are impactful, and (most importantly) transformative.
🚀It’s about leading with creativity, courage, and care. In fact it’s the courage to fail, learn, and try again.
For you, our incredible community, innovation means better trainers, better training, and better lives for you and your dogs. Your trust inspires us to keep dreaming bigger and working harder.
Dogwood and Scentventure are so much more than businesses to me.
They’re Lao, they’re Fifi, they’re this big amazing extended family we are all a part of here 🫶
Want a glimpse of what innovation looks like in action?
Join us at the Stress Free Dog Walks January Challenge, and let’s shape the future of dog training together 🌍
27/12/2024
Starting 12th January, the FREE Stress Free Walks Training Challenge is rolling again! 📣
Prevent pulling, barking and lunging with a toolkit of quick and simple techniques to calm your reactive or easily distracted dog so they relax, ignore distractions and listen to you.
Start your New Year RIGHT and enjoy calmer walks in 5 days.
Tickets are completely FREE (the link is in the comments) 💌
Make 2025 the year of stress free walks. If not January, when?
26/12/2024
What’s your dog’s Walking Style? 🐕
>>GET A DIAGNOSTIC in 3 mins
26/12/2024
Crack open your brand new diary, turn the page on your 2025 calendar and save the date! 📅
We’re just days away from a New Year and a brand new fresh and sparkly start for you and your dog.
Forget all the things you wanted to do but never got around to this year, NOW is the time to fix that.
Our FREE online Stress Free Dog Walks January Training Challenge is BACK for the 5th year running! 10,000+ dog owners have taken part in previous years and they say things like -
💬’We’ve had an amazing week. After being with Bentz for over 6 years this is the first time I feel confident that we are addressing his issues.’’ — Tracy & Bentz
And this year is going to be BY FAR the best one yet. We’ve been working on it since September and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Registration has JUST opened - and it’s completely FREE (the link is in the comments) 💌
💌
25/12/2024
In Memoriam ✨🤍
As we snuggle close to our dogs this Christmas, I want to remember and celebrate the lives of those we've lost. Each one of them were family members, best friends. Their absence will be felt heavily today.
We remember their comforting presence in our quiet moments, their huge hearts and unconditional love. They taught us the joy of simple pleasures, and the intense pain of loss.
To our Scentventurers in the sky 🪽 You will always be a part of the families who loved you so dearly, and here, in our Dogwood family.
I wish I could have taken the pain away from each and every one of the humans they left behind.
✨ As we look to the stars, we imagine each one as a shining beacon, a symbol of the love and light you brought into our lives. Rest in peace, our furry angels. Thank you for the happiness, the lessons, and the love. You will forever be missed and forever remembered.
If you have lost your soul mate, best friend, beloved dog this year, please add their name to this memorial and we will keep them safely in our hearts as well 🤍
24/12/2024
On behalf of Team Dogwood & Scentventure, I would like to say a HUGE thank you! You are the BEST community in the world and we are grateful to each and every one of you ✨
Each visit to Dogwood, each new Club member, each snuffle mat made and pound raised for rescue dogs has meant the world to us! This community is special. It’s you that gives me masses of motivation to continue the work we love so much: innovating and providing the very best Adventure Play Parks, training services and community for you and your dog. A place where every dog and every person belongs.
⭐2024 has been a blast! Over 6,800 Adventure Play sessions attended, 487 Scentventure Awards, 2 Awards for Innovation, A LOT of snuffle toys donated to dogs in rescue centres and whose owners use foodbanks (we’ll reveal the final score later) ⭐
Phew! It’s been incredible 🤩
And it’s been a mile a minute. So I want to pause for a moment. The world outside might glitter with lights and hum with busyness, but the real magic will be in the time we carve out for slow, soulful moments with our dogs and loved ones.
Go on that walk not just for the exercise but to watch how your dog sniffs the crisp winter air. Share a moment of stillness, watching the world go by together. Allow yourself to set aside comparison and celebrate the connection you and your dog uniquely share.
Because our dogs, in their simplicity, teach us everything we need to know about the season: joy in togetherness, patience in the process, and courage to show up as our authentic selves—even if the world seems noisy and chaotic.
Let’s be brave enough to love our dogs the way they need to be loved, not the way the world tells us we should.
And now, as we look forward to 2025, we are so very excited to launch new programmes and events, new fundraisers and new adventures - as well all the lovely community stuff that Dogwood does best. It all starts on 12th January with the brand new Stress Free Dog Walks Challenge! (You heard it here first!) 🦮
But first, let’s switch to the go-slow.
From the bottom of my heart, a very Merry Christmas to all of you out there in Dogwood Land!
With love, gratitude and Christmas kisses - Katie 🎄✨
22/12/2024
Paws At Peace - North-East and Yorkshire made the most beautiful memorial video for Fifi 💔🥲
22/12/2024
Not every lunge or bark is something you can control. Some of it was decided before you even met your dog.
We’ve been led to believe that raising a puppy is like shaping clay. It’s comforting—and completely false.
Dogs aren’t blank slates. They come with their own stories, written in DNA and early experiences, long before they joined your life.
You might have felt the pressure. The moment when your dog’s behaviour doesn’t match the Pinterest-perfect version of what you imagined, the doubt creeps in. Did I do enough socialisation? Too much? Are their behaviour problems my fault?
Here’s a question: are you shouldering blame for faults that aren’t yours?
Scentventure Guide Laura (that's her cuddling puppies in the pic! 😍)delivered a fascinating deep dive into canine socialisation that really got cogs turning and conversation flowing over in the Club Dogwood community!
Laura combined her extensive experience as coordinator of the South African Guide Dogs Puppy Programme with the findings of scientific studies investigating the effects of ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ to really challenge the commonly misheld notion of puppies being ‘a blank slate’, ready to mould into the ‘perfect’ adult dog.
Conscientious canine caregivers (just like yourselves!) often carry so much guilt about their dogs' behavioural challenges, obsessing over what they did ‘wrong’ - gosh, isn’t hindsight cruel and judgemental?!
Is there even any way of knowing if things would have turned out differently if we’d avoided ‘this situation’ and done more ‘socialisation’?
It’s not unusual for judgement to come from outside either - how many of you have heard a tone in sentences like "Oh. You’ve had them from a PUPPY??"
If you didn’t see Laura’s talk - spoiler alert - there are SO many factors contributing to who your adult dog becomes before you’ve met them.
Before they’ve been born.
Before they’ve even been conceived.
So here’s an invitation to join the Stop Apologising movement 📢
Absolve yourself of guilt because nobody has the answers to the "what if’s" and, let’s face it, it’s a total waste of energy! 🤷🏼♀️
If you’ve rescued an older dog, there’s yet more life experience influencing who your dog is and how they see the world, of which you’ve had absolutely no control over.
What DO you have control over? The choices you make NOW. Those choices will shape your dog’s future - and yours. That’s where putting the time into learning, understanding and training to help them fulfil every bit of potential they grace this earth with will make the difference.
Stop apologising for who your dog is now, was yesterday, and focus on who they are becoming 💥
20/12/2024
Last night at our Recall Masterclass, a familiar challenge came up—one I know so many of you wrestle with.
A participant shared that she wasn’t getting very far with her Border Terrier’s recall training because he won’t take treats outside. He’s too hyper-alert, unable to relax or respond.
This is such a common frustration, and it’s not about better treats or tougher training. It’s about understanding how stress affects learning - and the digestive system!
So, what did we recommend?
1️⃣ Keep in Mind How Stress Affects Appetite. When your dog is overwhelmed, blood flow shifts away from the stomach to the muscles, preparing for action (fight/flight/freeze/fool around). Treats are irrelevant until the body feels relaxed enough to eat.
2️⃣ Start in a Low-Stress Environment. We suggested finding a quiet walking route with minimal distractions. Use that same route 5 times without offering ANY treats—just calm, easy walks.
3️⃣ Create Positive Associations. After those 5 walks, then try offering treats—but only when your dog seems relaxed. Let them sniff, explore, and check in naturally before expecting more.
Watching this resonate with the group reminded me how much clarity can come from understanding why dogs behave the way they do.
There’s always a very good reason.
If recall training - or any kind of training - isn’t working, step back. Ask: Can my dog learn new training effectively in this environment? That shift can change everything.
19/12/2024
Who dis driving your train today? It's Captain Oakey of course!
All aboard - choo choooo! 🚂
16/12/2024
Ok so your dog's not perfect. But guess what? Neither is anyone else's.
They just happen to conveniently forget that when they’re dishing out opinions 🤷🏻♀️
"You know," they start, "MY dog would never do that. Have you tried..."
Ah, the unsolicited advice. The judgment. The feeling you're left with that you're somehow failing as a dog parent.
I've been there. It used to really bother me.
But here's what I've learned:
They don't live with your dog 24/7.
They don't know your dog's history.
They haven't seen all the progress you've made.
They haven't put in the hours of training and care.
So next time a park ‘expert’ tries to share advice, try this:
Remind yourself that their words are a reflection of their own insecurities, not your worth or your dog's worth. Insecure dog owners often project their doubts or need for validation by offering unsolicited advice, as a means to help them feel more competent 💣💥
Take a deep breath, offer a polite nod (or don’t), and keep walking — confident in the knowledge that you know YOUR dog best.
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Videos
Do you dread walking your dog because their behaviour is so stressful? You’re not alone!
Too many dog owners put up with their dog straining on the lead, lunging, manic barking, infuriating recall, and resign themselves to a lifetime of stress, frustration and embarrassment.
That’s why we’ve created the Stress Free Dog Walks January Challenge! 🐕
You’ll learn a new technique every day to calm, focus and train your dog so that you can enjoy relaxing walks.
💌Register your free place. We start soon.
Did you know that January is ‘walk your dog’ month?
And even though it sounds simple enough, thousands of dog owners in the UK struggle to walk their dogs.
Pulling on the lead, infuriating recall, jumping up at people or barking and lunging at other dogs… it’s no wonder the daily dog walk is so stressful.
What often happens is that walks get less exciting, tedious, and you end up feeling guilty that your dog is missing out, saddened that the walks you imagined never happened for you.
Firstly, if you’re experiencing this, you are not alone!
If every year you make a commitment to improve your dog’s behaviour but it doesn't go to plan, stop making vague New Year’s Resolutions and commit to 5 days of action for a lifetime of calm canine behaviour.
We’re giving you the techniques, strategy, accountability and motivation to get this done RIGHT - at the FREE Stress Free Dog Walks January Training Challenge 🐕
Out with the old behaviour and in with the new!
The link is in the comments 💌
#stressfreedogwalks #stressfreedogwalkschallenge #januarychallenge #dogtrainingchallenge
Christmas calls for woolly hats, cosy scarves, and adventures with your dog on The Dogwood Express.
Embrace the season. Share the wonder. And remember, it’s not about the destination—it’s about the train journey you take together. Choo choo.
All aboard! 🚂
#TheDogwoodExpress
I LOVE Scentventure Guide Emily’s idea of focusing on the Scentventure Snuffle Box this year, instead of just making snuffle mats and snuffle toys.
There is SO much more value in these boxes for food bank users especially, and with the cost of living crisis getting worse, we want to do all we can to help dogs and their humans who are struggling.
Imagine a dog who’s Christmas Day would just be like any other day, if it wasn’t for the Snuffle Box that you donated?
THAT’S the real-world, real-life difference that we can make 🫶🏻
The link is in the comments.
What to put inside your Scentventure Snuffle Box for rescue dogs or food bank users?
Treats, chews, Christmas dinners, toys - and of course, something for dogs to snuffle through!
When you grab a ticket to the Snuffle-mat-a-thon, you’ll get our list of suggested items, as well as the instructions you need to pass onto the end user and proper labeling to ensure it’s a safe experience for the dog who receives your box.
Check out the link in the comments to find out more.
#snufflemathon #rescuedogs #srilankastreetdogs #supportingfoodbanks #christmasfundraiser #dogcharityfundraiser
The Snuffle-mat-a-thon is in its 6th year! So what’s it all about? 🤔
📦Every carefully crafted item and wrapped box of goodies are donated to your local rescues and food banks. A sprinkling of Scentventure love for dogs up and down the country and, indeed, worldwide.
🧶We start crafting in the lead up to the online event, during, and in the weeks after - there's a deadline before Santa Paws arrives, of course!
🤩 During the online event itself (6:30pm, 4th December), Helen (one of the Original Scentventure Guides - before she took her love for dogs on a worldwide tour!) will be keeping us entertained, with tales of her street dog work in Sri Lanka - and what we can learn from streeties to make our own dogs’ lives even better!
Check out the link in the comments to find out more and join in the fun!
Pumpkin spice, wooly jumpers, golden leaves, and crisp walks at Dogwood… autumn is here!
Let the season of snuggles and sniffing begin! 🍂🐕
#autumnvibes
Who else agrees? 🧡 #bestfriend #doglife
Behind the scenes at Club Dogwood 🧡 #clubdogwood #dogtraining
Welcome to the North East’s first Dog Adventure Park!
Dogwood Adventure Play is set across seven acres of countryside and comprises of two enclosed fields and a training paddock. Our purpose-built fields are available for you and your dog to hire on an individual basis all year round, seven days a week.
Ideal for dogs that cannot be let off lead in public places – perhaps because they do not enjoy meeting other dogs, or for those that don’t have great recall skills, puppies or adult dogs who need to work on training in an enclosed environment, owners of rescue dogs who would like to bond with their new companion, or anyone else who enjoys watching their dog run free.
Bring a ball or your dog's favourite toy, make use of the Adventure Play frames or just relax while your dog sniffs and explores the fascinating environment rich with scent.
You have exclusive use of the field during your booking. Our coded double-gate entry system and carefully timed slots mean that you won’t be disturbed. In-field parking allows you to lock the gate before letting your dogs out of the car.
Adventure Play equipment is provided to increase confidence, range of motion, strength and balance in dogs, while the Sensory Garden is made up of a variety of smells and textures which reduce stress and anxiety, encourage dogs to be more secure in their surroundings, and provide additional stimulation and enrichment.
After an initial Introduction Session, the facility is self-service and you will be sent a code to unlock the gates, along with full instructions.
Your dog was born to run and play, and at Dogwood you can give him what he needs whilst you can enjoy a brand new, relaxing, stress-free adventure walk with your best friend.
Contact us to find out how you can join our private and exclusive dog adventure community.
About Katie
Qualified Dog Trainer, Scentwork Instructor and Canine Enrichment Specialist, Katie Guastapaglia created Dogwood Adventure Play because she believes that all dogs deserve to be Dogwood dogs. In her previous role as Campaigns Officer at Dogs Trust she travelled across the North of England delivering training, behaviour, enrichment, health and legal advice to hundreds of dog owners every week and developing new campaigns for responsible dog ownership.
A strong advocate of rescue dogs, Katie joined the Dogs Trust Head Office team where she helped deliver the campaign to parliament for compulsory microchipping. At Dogwood she organises charity events to support rescue dogs.
Katie specialises in helping reactive, distracted and bored dogs via her signature training system, Scentventure® and works hard to improve the lives of the dogs and people in her community. She believes that reward-based training and enrichment are key to a strong and long-lasting relationship.
Katie is qualified with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (high distinction), an associate member of Pet Dog Trainers of Europe and a qualified Scentwork Instructor with the UK College of Scent Dogs and WSDA The Man Hunt instructor and judge. She has launched a consultancy service to help other people open their own Dogwoods around the country.
