25/10/2026
WHERE DO IRELAND’S DOGS GO? 🐾 Dog ownership increased significantly during Covid, but have our public spaces kept pace?
Dogs need more than a back garden or a small dog park. They need opportunities to walk, sniff, explore and enjoy nature. So where are the suitable spaces for them?
Professional dog walkers and daycare providers are an important part of the pet-care industry. This is a profession, not a hobby. We provide a valuable service, caring for other people’s beloved pets with experience and responsibility. Yet professionals can often face hostility from the public for simply doing their jobs. Constant negativity can take a real emotional toll. Most pet professionals work in this industry because we are passionate about animal care and it’s a labour of love for many of us, but it can be a tough job being out in the elements all year round, managing our amazing dog groups in nature, taking precautions to keep ourselves and our dogs safe, while putting in long hours of driving in traffic each day. It’s not all cute instagram moments!
What if we looked for solutions together and had a meaningful conversation?
Could Coillte and local authorities explore designated dog-walking trails in suitable forests, similar in principle to signposted mountain bike trails? These could have clear rules, safeguards for wildlife and livestock, waste bins at entrances and exits, and off-lead access only where specifically authorised and appropriate.
This isn’t about putting dogs before people. Everyone deserves to enjoy nature and feel comfortable in shared spaces. Some people are nervous around dogs, and that deserves respect too. We also meet plenty of lovely, considerate people on our walks who show that peaceful coexistence is absolutely possible.
We need more practical solutions and less hostility and polarisation 🐾
Would you support a pilot scheme for designated dog-walking trails in Ireland? What would you like to see included? Would designated trails specifically for dogs and their handlers be a consideration?
