This week’s Sunday story is short and sweet, and it has a simple message – it’s the taking part that counts! Demonstrating this important lesson is Maadi, a 7 year old gsd whose recall isn’t too good, so her family bring her to the Run Free fields for some extra freedom.
Maadi loves chasing her ball, but rarely brings it back. So her family thought they’d try out the agility jumps. Here’s the result! Moira says: “The annoying thing is first time she ran over all the jumps but I didn’t have my phone ready.” It’s always the way! But it doesn’t matter! Maadi had a great time and that’s all that’s important.
If you’d like to share your story with us, please message us. To book a Run Free field, click here: https://runfreedogfields.co.uk/
Some of you may have noticed that we’re leaving areas of long grass in some of our Run Free fields. There are two reasons for this.
• Good for the environment
Having areas of long grass creates a rich habitat for various plants, and insects. This promotes a balanced ecosystem, supports pollinators like bees and butterflies, and enhances the overall biodiversity of the area.
• Great for dogs!
Dogs like long grass because it's fun and interesting. The tall grass has different smells, feels good to run through, and is great for games of chase or hide and seek. This makes long grass an exciting place for dogs to play and explore.
As you can see, the Run Free staff dogs very much approve! Let us know what you think. You’ll find areas of longer grass at:
Bargower field, Run Free Kilmarnock
Philipstoun field, Run Free Winchburgh
Big field, Run Free Kirkliston
Newton field, Run Free South Queensferry
Dechmont field, Run Free Broxburn
Meadow field, Run Free Inchinnan
Play field, Run Free Inverkeithing
Mezzo field, Run Free Bargeddie
Minto field, Run Free Hawick
You can book a Run Free field at: https://runfreedogfields.co.uk/
This week our Sunday Story is all about Flynn, a lovely labrador. Our fields are brilliant for so many different activities. For Flynn and his mum Leah, a trip to Run Free is a great opportunity for Flynn to use his brain as well as his body, for Leah to de-stress and for both to enjoy time together.
Leah says: “We love using the Run Free fields as Flynn is reactive and sometimes really feeds off my stress levels and it can make walks really overwhelming for us both. So sometimes it’s nice to book a field just to do some training and enrichment. Rather than playing plain old fetch, we will hide his ball and send him to find it. We also do heel work and use his tug ball as a reward, as tug is fantastic for building a bond with your dog. It’s also nice just to see Flynn run around without the stress of being rushed by a stranger’s dog! I actually find it helps reduce my stress levels too as I get to spend quality time with Flynn without feeling pressured to focus on the environment and other peoples’ dogs instead of him!”
Watch the video to see Flynn in action! Here’s the link to book a Run Free slot: https://runfreedogfields.co.uk/
Sometimes you just have to make the best of the bad weather!
Diane says: "The dogs didn’t want to go out in the rain and cold today but I knew just how to get them some exercise. Kingswells Run Free Dog Park 😀. Pouring with rain, we got soaking wet and rather muddy but Mission Accomplished. Happy Dobes who forgot that it was raining 😜."
We're happy to help - in rain or shine! 😀
Hide and seek at Run Free South Queensferry. What have your dogs been up to at Run Free today?
Skye the toller's Run Free adventure
This week our Sunday Story features a very unusual gundog breed – a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, know as a toller. The word ‘toll’ describes the action of the toller, running along the riverbank to lure the ducks closer to shore and retrieve them once shot. Because they’re very clever and agile, tollers are also fantastic at various dog sports and activities.
So this cute little bundle of ginger fur is Skye the toller. Skye is only fifteen weeks old so still exploring lots of new places and experiencing new things. Her family’s search for a toller took 687 days, so they’re loving every moment now she’s finally home!
Erin says: “The Run Free fields are great because we can get Skye off lead which both builds her confidence and gives us the opportunity to practice her recall in a safe environment that we know she won’t escape from - building our confidence in her too! A win win!”
Do you have an interesting Run Free story to share? If you do, please get in touch!
@toller.skye
Be like Henry!
This weekend our Saturday Story is about Henry, who is a Labrador retriever. At just 3 months old, he’s one of Run Free’s youngest customers! It’s really important that puppies have the chance of free running to exercise their little bodies at their own pace, with plenty of opportunities to stop and sniff and rest. Taking your pup to Run Free is perfect for this, and Henry even had the chance to play with his buddy Willow, a cocker spaniel.
Daniel says: “This day was Henry’s first proper free run day in an open field that wasn’t the garden. Henry and Willow both enjoyed the hour they had. We both liked that fact we could let the dogs run mad and not worry about them running into roads, etc. It also provided us the opportunity to work on their recall.”
You’re welcome back at Run Free any time Henry – and Willow of course!
Hawick Minto field
Look at these three terrors having a terrific time in the Minto field at Hawick Run Free! This is Mocca, Marley and Talla, gorgeous and feisty Parson Russell terriers.
If you'd like to book a space at the Minto field, click here: https://runfreedogfields.co.uk/our-locations/hawick/
Halloween trick
Halloween is around the corner, and it’s pretty wet out there! So in the spirit of trick or treat, here’s a trick for you and your dog to practise inside or out! It’s fun and it’ll help take everyone’s mind off the weather.
Teaching your dog to ‘spin’
Step 1: Get your dog's attention
Start in a quiet environment with minimal distractions – either inside or at a Run Free enclosed field is ideal. Get your dog's attention by calling its name in an upbeat tone. Use treats or a favourite toy as a reward.
Step 2: Choose a verbal cue and hand signal
Decide on a cue word like "Spin" or "Twirl." Simultaneously, create a hand signal, like a circular motion with your hand. Dogs often respond well to both verbal cues and visual signals.
Step 3: Lure your dog into the spin
Hold a treat close to your dog's nose and lead it in a circular motion, following the motion of your hand. Encourage your dog to follow the treat with its nose, which will naturally make it turn around. As your dog completes the spin, immediately say, "Spin" or the chosen cue and praise your dog. Use positive reinforcement by giving the treat and praising your dog.
Step 4: Repeat and practise
Repeat the process several times. Be patient; some dogs learn quickly, while others may take more time. Consistency and repetition are key. Practise the trick for short sessions multiple times rather than over a long session.
Step 5: Add verbal and visual cues
As your dog starts to understand the trick, start adding the verbal cue and the hand signal just before you lure your dog into the spin. Dogs are great at associating actions with specific commands and gestures.
Step 6: Practise in both directions
Once your dog is comfortable spinning in one direction, practise in the opposite direction as well. Use the same steps, but guide your dog in the opposite direction.
Step 7: Practise in different locations
Practise the spin trick in various locations, both inside and outside. Dogs tend to learn be
Saturday Story
This is Derry, a gorgeous little 6 year old pug belonging to Ashleigh. Derry was recently diagnosed as mainly blind. He has under 30% sight left in one of his eyes and the other is completely blind. He normally has to be walked on the lead to keep him safe, and he loves going for walks and sniffing around. But when Ashleigh took him to Run Free in Gartcosh, Derry had a ball!
Ashleigh says: “When we took him to Run Free we had no idea he could run so fast and it was
beautiful to see him go with no inhibitions. He was absolutely fearless in your field. He had the best time.”
We’re so pleased that the Run Free fields give Derry the chance to run and explore safely!
Do you have a story to share? We’d love to hear about your dogs enjoying the fields!
Fun at Run Free Bishopton!
Teaghan and Topsy getting the fun started at Run Free Bishopton!
Sound up for full effect! 😂
Spotlight on Inverurie! It’s time to highlight some of the Run Free sites around Scotland. Firstly we’re heading to Aberdeenshire to our two lovely fields near the pretty market town of Inverurie.
At the North field there are tunnels and jumps for a fun aerobic workout for you and your dog! If your dog isn’t the agility kind, the East field is located down a quiet private road opposite the North field and is perfect for zoomies, sniffing and ball chasing. Both fields have their own car park, shelter and picnic table.
If you fancy making a day of it, Inverurie is well worth a visit, with plenty of dog friendly cafes and bars to refresh yourselves after all the exercise in the field!
To book our Inverurie fields, visit our website: https://runfreedogfields.co.uk/our-locations/inverurie/ If you’ve already been, we’d love to see your photos below!
New Gate System at Port Glasgow
We are trialling a new gate system at Port Glasgow which consists of keypad entry.
When you make a booking you will be assigned a 4 digit code. This will be shown near the top of your booking confirmation email. When you get to the field punch in the code and the gate should open. See video for details.
To leave the field there is a button to press on the fence which will allow the gate to open.
Any problems just give us a call on 07717 162879
Run Free Bridge of Don
Here’s a flyover of our Hareburn and Blackdog fields situated at Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. Both fields are open 7 days a week from 7am. There are timeslots still available for this weekend so why don’t you let your dog Run Free in our secure field this weekend.
Please visit our website www.runfreedogfields.co.uk to check availability for all our fields and to book your slot.
We’ve updated our website with new photos and drone footage of some of our fields. Before you book to let your dog Run Free check out the videos to get a birds eye view of the field (a dogs eye view was just too low🐶 ). This video is the Bearsden Faifley field.
Special thanks to everyone who took part in the photoshoots, you may recognise your 🌟dog stars. Huge thanks to Morgan and Sophie for arranging the photoshoots and for the great photos/footage📸📽️.
Visit our website www.runfreedogfields.co.uk to check our locations, field availability and to make a booking.🐾
