23/06/2026
๐พ What Is Our Crown Estate Professional Dog Walker Permit? ๐พ
We've recently renewed our Crown Estate Professional Dog Walker Permit for another year, and it's something we're often asked about by clients. So, we thought we'd explain what it is, why we invest in it, and how it benefits the dogs in our care.
At ยฃ600 per year, per permit holder, it's a significant investment for our business. The permit is issued to an individual dog walker rather than a business, meaning each person walking dogs on Crown Estate land must hold their own permit and meet the required standards. It's an investment we believe is absolutely worthwhile because of the opportunities and reassurance it provides
๐ฒ Access to Premium Walking Locations
Our permit gives us access to Crown Estate land within Swinley Forest, including Buttersteep and The Look Out. These beautiful woodland locations provide fantastic opportunities for dogs to explore, exercise and enjoy enriching adventures in a safe and natural environment.
๐ถ Quieter Walks, Happier Dogs
One of the biggest advantages of these permit-only areas is that they're typically much quieter and more vast than many public walking spots. Because professional dog walkers must hold a valid permit to operate there, there are generally fewer group walks and fewer dog encounters, creating a calmer experience for the dogs in our care.
๐ Ideal for Nervous, Anxious or Reactive Dogs
The quieter environment can be especially beneficial for dogs who may find busy parks and crowded walking routes overwhelming. Having more space and fewer distractions allows us to manage walks more effectively and helps many dogs feel more relaxed and confident.
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A Sign of Professional Standards
Obtaining a permit isn't simply a case of paying a fee. Every professional dog walker must go through an application and vetting process before being approved.
This includes providing evidence of:
โข Fully comprehensive insurance
โข Risk Assessments & Method Statements (RAMS)
โข Canine First Aid
โข Veterinary agreements and supporting documentation
โข Health and safety procedures
๐ Safer Group Sizes
Another important condition of the permit is that each permit holder is limited to walking a maximum of four dogs at any one time. This helps ensure every dog receives the attention, supervision and care they need throughout the walk.
By keeping group sizes manageable, we can maintain better control, monitor interactions more closely, respond quickly to individual needs, and provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for every dog in our care.
๐ Why Does This Matter?
Not every dog walking business chooses to make this investment or meet these requirements. For us, it's another way of ensuring that the dogs in our care benefit from exceptional walking locations while giving owners added peace of mind that they're in safe, professional hands.
We believe every dog deserves more than just a walkโthey deserve safe, enriching adventures in the very best environments available. โค๏ธ๐พ
