SkellyWags Dog Training Kent

A Bank Holiday weekend often means making plans, getting outside and enjoying some extra time with our dogs. Here on Romney Marsh, we’re lucky to have beaches, countryside, cafes and plenty of places to explore. From Dymchurch and Greatstone to Dungeness, Hythe and the villages in between, there’s no shortage of dog friendly adventures.

However, just because somewhere welcomes dogs doesn’t automatically mean every dog will enjoy being there. A busy beach, packed cafe or popular walking route might sound like the perfect day out to us, but for our dogs it can mean unfamiliar people, excitable children, other dogs, food smells, traffic and very little opportunity to move away.

Some dogs will take all that in their stride. Others may find it difficult, particularly if they’re young, anxious, excitable or uncomfortable around unfamiliar dogs and people. That doesn’t mean they’re badly behaved or that they simply need to “get used to it”. It means the environment may be asking more of them than they can comfortably manage.

Choose the right adventure for your dog

Before deciding where to go, think about the dog in front of you. Would they enjoy walking along a busy promenade, or would they be happier exploring a quieter footpath? Can they relax beneath a cafe table, or would spending an hour surrounded by dropped chips and passing dogs feel like an advanced-level training exercise?

There’s no prize for choosing the busiest destination. Going earlier in the morning, choosing a quieter route or keeping the outing shorter could give your dog a much better experience. Sometimes twenty relaxed minutes of sniffing is far more valuable than a two hour walk spent trying to cope. And you know what? A shorter walk also leaves more time for coffee and cake. Everyone wins.

When visiting somewhere new, it’s tempting to keep moving because we have a destination in mind. Our dogs, however, are gathering information through their noses. Allowing them time to sniff lets them investigate their surroundings at their own pace. They don’t know that you’re heading towards a lovely view or a dog friendly cafe/pub. As far as they’re concerned, the most interesting part of Romney Marsh may be a slightly suspicious clump of grass thirty metres behind you.

Try not to rush every sniff. Exploring scent is an important part of the outing, not something getting in the way of it. You could also scatter a few treats in a safe grassy area, hide food near a tree or encourage your dog to search around a bench. Simple scent games can help them slow down, focus and enjoy the environment.

Give your dog space when they need it

Bank Holiday weekends can bring more dogs and people into our favourite walking spots, but your dog doesn’t need to greet everyone they see. They certainly don’t have to say hello just because someone tells you their dog is friendly.

Creating space, changing direction or calmly moving away is perfectly reasonable. It isn’t rude, antisocial or a sign that your training has failed. It’s simply you listening to your dog and helping them feel safe. Not every human wants to hug every stranger they meet at the seaside, and our dogs are allowed similar standards.

Dogs don’t always wait until they’re barking, lunging or desperately pulling before telling us they’re struggling. You may notice your dog scanning the area, becoming unable to settle, refusing food, panting when they aren’t hot, repeatedly shaking off or becoming much more excitable than usual. These quieter changes can be early signs that your dog needs more distance, a break or perhaps to head home.

Leaving before things become too much isn’t giving up. It’s making a good decision while your dog can still cope. A successful outing shouldn’t be measured by how long you stayed or how many places you visited. It should be measured by whether you and your dog actually enjoyed it.

Plan ahead, but be prepared to change the plan

Water, a bowl, treats and poo bags are the obvious essentials, but it can also help to take something familiar. That might be a mat for your dog to settle on, a favourite toy or a long lasting chew if you’re stopping somewhere suitable. If the weather is warm, plan for shade and choose the cooler, quieter parts of the day.

It’s also worth having a backup plan. If your intended destination is much busier than expected, going somewhere else or simply heading home is allowed. Your dog won’t be disappointed that they missed the carefully planned itinerary. They didn’t read it.

Looking for something different to do with your dog?

If you’re visiting Romney Marsh over the Bank Holiday and would like a fun activity to enjoy together, you can arrange a 30 minute session at SkellyWAGS Dog Training in Old Romney.

Depending on what your dog might enjoy, they could explore our straw bale search zone, try some simple scentwork, have a go at Hoopers or enjoy a few confidence building games around our secure training field and meadow. These aren’t formal classes, tests or competitions, and nobody is keeping score. The session is simply an opportunity to do something enjoyable together, give your dog’s nose and brain a little workout and perhaps discover a new activity you’d both like to explore further.

Sessions are arranged for one household at a time and shaped around the individual dog. If your dog needs more space, finds busy places difficult or simply deserves an adventure that doesn’t involve navigating a crowded promenade, this could be a lovely addition to your visit.

Thirty minutes may not sound very long, but when a dog is sniffing, searching, thinking and having fun, it can be plenty. You may even leave with a pleasantly tired dog which could make the journey home considerably quieter. Please contact SkellyWAGS before travelling to arrange your session and check availability.

A good day out should feel good for both of you

There are some wonderful dog friendly places to explore across Romney Marsh and Kent, but the best destination will always depend on your individual dog. They don’t need a packed Bank Holiday schedule or to visit every beach, cafe and local attraction before Tuesday morning. They need time with you, opportunities to sniff and explore, and the freedom to experience the day at a pace that feels comfortable.

Sometimes the best adventure is a new place. Sometimes it’s a quiet walk somewhere familiar. Sometimes it’s half an hour searching straw bales at SkellyWAGS. And sometimes it’s twenty minutes outside followed by an afternoon asleep on the sofa.

Choose the adventure your dog needs not simply the one the Bank Holiday brochure says you should be having.