Dog Walking Etiquette in the UK

Good dog walking etiquette in the UK comes down to a few simple habits: always pick up after your dog and bin the bag, keep your dog on a lead or under close control around other people and dogs, ask before letting dogs greet, give space to any dog wearing yellow, and follow local signs, since many councils have legal rules about where dogs can go and when they must be on a lead.

Most of it is common courtesy, but some of it is the law. Here is what every UK dog walker should know.

Bag it and bin it

Picking up after your dog is the most basic rule of all, and in many areas it is a legal requirement. The Countryside Code says to always clean up your dog's poo because it can cause illness in people, livestock and wildlife, and to never leave bags of dog poo around, even if you intend to pick them up later. If you cannot find a public bin, take it home and use your own.

• Carry more bags than you think you need.
• Never hang bags on trees or fences, or leave them by a path.

Keeping bags with you at all times is easiest when they live on the lead or in your walking bag. The Soho Bag Carrier is a simple option, and our dog walking checklist covers the rest of what to take.

Know your council's rules: Public Spaces Protection Orders

Many councils in England and Wales use Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), made under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, to set local rules for dogs. These vary from area to area, but common examples include:

• A requirement to pick up after your dog and to carry the means to do so.
• Areas where dogs must be kept on a lead, such as roads, cemeteries or specified parks.
• A requirement to put your dog on a lead if an authorised officer asks.
• Areas where dogs are excluded, such as children's play areas and some sports pitches.
• A limit on the number of dogs one person can walk at once.

Breaching a PSPO can lead to a fixed penalty notice. In Manchester, for example, the council's dog control PSPOs carry a £100 fixed penalty, and prosecution can mean a fine of up to £1,000. Because rules differ so much, check your own council's website and look out for signs at park entrances.

Some places have their own rules too. In London's Royal Parks, for instance, dogs are not allowed in children's playgrounds or inside cafés and restaurants, any dog whose obedience cannot be guaranteed should be kept on a lead, and no one should walk more than four dogs at once.

Leads and other dogs

Not every dog wants to say hello

A dog on a lead may be on it for a reason: they may be nervous, recovering from an operation, elderly, in training or reactive. If your dog is off lead and you see a dog on lead approaching, call your dog back and put them on the lead until you have passed. If you would like the dogs to greet, ask the other owner first.

Yellow means space

Yellow Dog UK is an awareness campaign encouraging owners to put a yellow ribbon, bandana or similar on their dog's lead, collar or harness to show that the dog needs space. There are many reasons a dog might need it, from health issues and old age to shyness or being in season. If you see a dog wearing yellow, keep your dog close and give them plenty of room, and do not let your dog approach.

Recall before freedom

Only let your dog off the lead where it is allowed and when you are confident they will come back when called. The Countryside Code asks walkers to keep their dog on a lead or in sight and to be confident their dog will return on command. If recall is still a work in progress, a long line lets you practise safely. Our dog lead length guide explains how.

Sharing paths and pavements

• Keep your dog on a short lead on pavements, roads and paths shared with cyclists or horse riders, as the Highway Code (rule 56) advises.
• Step to one side to let runners, pushchairs and wheelchair users pass.
• Keep your dog from jumping up at people, however friendly their intentions.
• Keep extendable or long leads short in busy places so they do not trip anyone.

Cafés, pubs and shops

Dog-friendly venues are one of the joys of British life, and good manners help keep them dog friendly.

• Ask before bringing your dog inside, even if you have been before.
• Keep your dog on a lead and settled by your feet, out of walkways.
• Bring water or ask for a bowl, and clear up any mess.
• Do not feed your dog from the table or let them beg from other diners.

The countryside

Different rules apply around farm animals and on open access land, where dogs must be on a lead between 1 March and 31 July and around livestock. Our guide to walking your dog near livestock sets out the law in full.

Control matters

It is an offence to allow your dog to be dangerously out of control. According to GOV.UK, this includes a dog that injures someone or makes someone worried that it might injure them, and penalties can include an unlimited fine or up to six months in prison. Good etiquette and good control go hand in hand.

For more on routes, kit and training, see our complete dog walking guide.

Frequently asked questions

What does a yellow ribbon on a dog's lead mean?

It signals that the dog needs space, as part of the Yellow Dog UK awareness campaign. Keep your dog close, give them room and do not let your dog approach.

Can I be fined for not picking up after my dog?

In many areas, yes. Councils often use Public Spaces Protection Orders to make it an offence not to pick up, enforced with fixed penalty notices. Check your council's website.

Do dogs have to be on a lead in public in the UK?

Not everywhere, but local rules often require it. Councils can require leads in specific places through Public Spaces Protection Orders, and on open access land dogs must be on a lead between 1 March and 31 July and around livestock.

How many dogs can one person walk?

It depends where you are. Some councils set a limit through Public Spaces Protection Orders, and in London's Royal Parks no one should walk more than four dogs at once.