Walking your dog in the countryside: the rules (UK)

• Keep your dog on a lead or in sight at all times.
• Only let them off the lead if you're confident they'll come back when you call.
• Keep them on the path or the area where you have a right to be.
• Keep them away from wildlife, farm animals, horses and other people, unless they're invited over.

In England and Wales, the Countryside Code says your dog must be on a lead:

• On open access land between 1 March and 31 July, even if there are no farm animals there.
• On open access land and at the coast, whenever you're near farm animals.
• Wherever local signs say so. Some areas ban dogs completely, apart from assistance dogs.

Anywhere you meet farm animals, the Countryside Code says it's good practice to keep your dog on a lead.

In England and Wales, it's an offence if your dog attacks or worries livestock on farmland, or on a road or path. Worrying includes chasing livestock, and being in a field with sheep when your dog isn't on a lead or under close control. The law was strengthened in March 2026.

The Countryside Code also warns that a farmer can shoot a dog that is attacking or chasing livestock, and may not have to compensate the owner. Our guide to UK dog laws covers the other rules for dog owners.

Let your dog off the lead. The Countryside Code says not to risk getting hurt protecting your dog, and letting go makes it easier for you both to get to safety. Leave the field by the shortest, safest route.

In case your dog doesn't come straight back, make sure they're wearing a collar and tag with your name and address, as the law requires in public places.

Bag it and bin it in any public bin, or take it home. Dog poo can cause illness in people, livestock and wildlife, so never leave bags behind, even if you mean to pick them up later.

A dog on a scent can end up a long way from you, somewhere neither of you knows. Keep their tag on and their microchip details up to date, and add your phone number to the tag if you can. A QR tag lets whoever finds them reach you straight away. If they go missing, start our lost dog checklist.

Scotland has its own Scottish Outdoor Access Code. It says not to take your dog into fields with lambs, calves or other young farm animals, to keep your dog on a short lead or close at heel in any field of farm animals, and to do the same in places like moorland and the shore during the bird breeding season, usually April to July.

Northern Ireland's Countryside Code says to keep your dog on a lead when walking on roads or close to farm animals.