Owned by the National Trust, Ashclyst Forest is one of the largest woodlands in East Devon and has many popular trails for you and your canine companion to explore. One of the most popular is d The Clump Walk, which leads you on a dog-friendly, two-mile trail up Dolbury Hill– keep an eye out afor the Iron Age Fort! There are many non-concerning reasons why a dog may be moving in circles, whether it’s a toilet ritual or to get comfy before laying down in bed—it can even be a sign of play and excitement. Ellis explains her dogs can spin just for fun, like people. “We’re having playtime, and he’s spinning around, even potentially chasing his tail,” she says. “And in that case, that’s a happy dog spinning sign.” Alert. An alert dog will often hold their tail in an upright, rigid position. While this “flagging” position can indicate curiosity, it could also signal defensiveness in certain scenarios. The companionship offered by dogs means they have a special place as part of the family, which is exactly why we offer dog friendly holidays, meaning they do not need to be left behind. The areas surrounding Felbrigg Hall & Estate will keep dog walkers occupied for hours, and is definitely recommended to those who are in the mood for an adventure. The Church and Ice House trail nearby allows you to explore fields and woodland, leading to a hidden lake, or if you really want a challenge the Mountain Walk is the one for you! We know what you’re thinking, Mountain – in Norfolk? Technically a small mountain, but a mountain nonetheless, Mountain Walk does have a gradient of over 1,140 feet and is 16 miles long, taking you and your dog through the countryside and along the coast. The circular trail starts and finishes at Felbrigg Hall and offers spectacular views throughout.

If you type SK17 6SX into google maps, you’ll be able to see whereabouts it is situated within the Goyt Valley. Or for a shorter walk, which is great for our more senior or slower companions, or for young families, follow our Whitefield Moorroute, which is just 1.6 miles long (there is a shorter loop you can follow too if you wish). On this route you can enjoy the gorgeous Ober Water, where a stream runs through the forest, take in the beautiful scenery and you are likely to spot some wildlife on this walk too.Upon your return to Minster Lovell there are some fantastic pubs for you to relax with your dog including the Old Swan and the White Hart. Having completed this spectacular walk and wearing out the most energetic of dogs, the availability of a well-earned drink at the Rising Sun Hotel at Cleeve Hill is most welcome.

This is a lovely Bakewell dog walk. It is a pleasant circular dog walk around Bakewell, which follows part of the Monsal Trail and includes a public bridleway and some roads. You’ll get some spectacular views of Bakewell as you make the return journey across the fields. Apart from the initial walk up the hill towards Bakewell Station, the rest of the walk is relatively flat and easy going. The scenery here is what inspired Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and this circular walk gives you and your pup the chance to visit a section of the Coleridge Way, a long-distance footpath that travels through Exmoor. There are several common tail wag types you might observe in your furry friend. Here are a few examples: A circular tail wag almost always means that a dog is excited and happy. It’s a step up in the joyful scale compared with the classic side-to-side wagging tail.You may also notice that your dog likes to dig and spin when they’re out in the yard. “The ground slightly under the sun is going to be cooler,” explains Ellis, as dogs may be trying to get a little temperature relief. ”So, by spinning outdoors, they’re making a cooler soil to lay on, which is going to be more comfortable for sleeping, because their temperature is going to adjust to that.”

Due to the abundance of caves, and steep drops, it’s best to keep your pup on the lead to be safe when walking around the gorge. We’re sure they won’t mind as they’ll get a few hours in the fresh air walking over terrain that’s sure to tire them out. (That’s a note for the humans, too!) For a proper good day out in the New Forest for you and your dog, take on the Lyndhurst Parish Walk. An 8.5 mile circular route taking you around the outside of the ‘capital’ of the New Forest and past some of our gorgeous (and very dog friendly) pubs, including The Waterloo Armsand The New Forest Inn, which are perfect for a stop on your walk to grab a drink and a bite to eat – these pubs are dog-friendly and will make sure your dog is looked after too, with water bowls and treats, so no-one goes hungry or thirsty. On this walk you’ll see the huge diversity of what this wonderful village and its surrounding has to offer, you’ll get to walk over the famous Bolton’s Bench, head through beautiful inclosures, over open heathland and through the bustling high street and onto quiet country lanes. We have lots of other brilliant pub walksfor you to choose from too. On these fifteen dog walks in Somerset, you and your pup can explore the scenery that inspired Arthurian legend, as well as many other landmarks and hidden gems. There is also plenty of outdoor seating available in the stables courtyard. A limited section of this is undercover, and there are also patio heaters for when it gets a little chillier.From here, you could also take a long walk where you can explore the wood and climb Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in the county, and another dog walk in Somerset included on this list. There are plenty of facilities at the castle, including a shop and tea room. Dogs aren’t allowed on the inside of the tea room or castle but can venture everywhere else. You can also visit the working watermill with your pup on your walk.

With that said, a fast circular wag is as close as you can get to a guaranteed sign of excitement and happiness. It’s rare for a dog to exhibit this wagging behavior unless they’re excited. You can take a shorter route following the orange markers around the river and across the clapper bridge, but you can also spend a few hours taking this long route and give you and your dog the perfect chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery, watch the local wildlife, and of course cross the ancient stone bridge. Whatever route you choose, make sure to finish with a visit to the popular Fingle Bridge Inn right beside the famous bridge – it’s dog friendly! This is a nice and easy circular walk, and is particularly dog friendly as it only has moderate slopes and no stiles or fences whatsoever. There is some beautiful Cotswold architecture to behold on the route, with the Old Sodbury medieval church and the iron-age Hill Fort as the main features of this beautiful stroll. As ever, there’s a public house nearby to rest up and quench the thirst, so finish up with a tasty English ale at the Dog Inn, Old Sodbury.Tail held horizontally: A tail held straight out indicates a dog who is attentive and alert or perhaps curious about something nearby. Traditional hunting dog breeds like pointers or setters also hold their tails out straight when they point at an animal or object.