Trails & Tails Dog Walking

12/04/2026

Help for reactive dogs in Edinburgh & West Lothian. Discover why flooding fails and how positive training makes calmer, safer walks.

24/03/2026

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07/12/2025

Very important message

🚨 Important update on the UK Livestock-Worrying Law 🚨
(Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 + 2025 Amendment)

If you walk your dog in the countryside, this is something you really need to know..

🐑 What counts as “worrying livestock”?

The law is very clear — and it’s much broader than many people realise.
“Worrying” includes:

🔴 Attacking livestock
– Any physical harm, biting or grabbing.

🔴 Chasing livestock
– Even if the dog never touches the animals.
– If the chasing could reasonably be expected to cause stress, injury, exhaustion, or pregnant animals to abort, it is an offence.

🔴 Being “at large” — not under close control — in a field with sheep
– A dog doesn’t need to bark or chase.
– Simply being loose around sheep (off-lead or not listening) can legally count as worrying because livestock may panic, run, get injured or become distressed.

💡 Animals don’t have to be harmed for the owner to be prosecuted — the risk and the stress alone are enough under the law.

🦮 What “under close control” means in practice

This is where most people misunderstand the law.

🚫 “My dog is friendly”
🚫 “He’s never chased before”
🚫 “He only wants to say hello”

None of this matters legally.

Under control means:
✔ Your dog stays with you
✔ Your dog responds immediately when you call
✔ You can prevent your dog approaching livestock
✔ When needed, they are on a short lead
✔ You are physically able to stop them if something changes suddenly

If your dog is running ahead, ignoring you, or can reach livestock before you can stop them — they are NOT under close control.

⸻

📜 What changed with the new amendment (2025)

The updated law makes things much stricter:

✨ Wider definition of livestock (now includes alpacas, llamas etc.)
✨ Applies on public paths and even roads when livestock are present or being moved
✨ Clear distinction between attacking vs worrying
✨ Much stronger police powers — including seizing dogs involved in worrying
✨ Penalties increased — fines can be much higher and no longer capped

This brings the law in line with modern farming and the huge increase in dogs in the countryside.

🌾 What dog owners need to do

✔ Always put your dog on a lead any time livestock are in sight
✔ If in doubt — lead on
✔ Teach a strong recall and check-in behaviour
✔ Give livestock plenty of space
✔ Remember: your dog’s behaviour may be playful to you but terrifying to the animals

Do you need help with recall, impulse control training, prey driven behaviours, lead walking past livestock?
Get in touch I can help!

03/12/2025

If anyone is looking to do some work with their gundogs then this would be a great course.

**New Class Added**
EDINBURGH
Friday 9th January 2026
The Beginner Pet Gundog at a secure field close to Cammo Estate.
Class will run between 9.30-11am.
The Beginner Pet Gundog is ideal for all Gundog and Gundog cross breeds aged 6 months and over.
The Beginner classes and will cover a number of topics, including walking on a loose lead, recall, steadiness and an introduction to the formal retrieve. My training is non-competitive and is all about developing a well-mannered, well trained pet gundog that is also a loving family pet.
Full Course Cost = £175 (£25 per session)
For more information on the course and any other questions please get in touch.
📱 call Struan on 07784 812612
📧 email [email protected]

18/11/2025

21/09/2025

If anyone wants help with their dog around sheep I can highly recommend this. Gosia is the only recognised dog trainer in Scotland to offer this course and her sheep are fantastic with dogs.

I am super happy to be now listed by the National Sheep Association 🙂 🐑
https://nationalsheep.org.uk/sheep-worrying-avoidance-courses-trainers/

14/05/2025

Spare 15 minutes today

17/04/2025

Rizia is a great dog trainer and would highly recommend her classes

🐾PICK n MIX WORKSHOPS🐾

Made for the days when you find yourself googling, "Can my dog be possessed?"

Pick one. Pick a few or pick all six and get an exclusive online training session with Rizia.😀

If your dog is ignoring you like it's an Olympic sport,
treating every item like its a hostage situation or
he's gone off on a jolly one too many times and he needs a job to do - there's probably a workshop for that.

No gimmicks - Just solid training, good company and humans getting better at being humans (that dogs can live with)

Bring your enthusiasm, sensible shoes, plenty of treats and your dog! I'd love to see you!

Workshops take place outdoors in secure fields with ample room. Small groups - 4 dogs. 🐕🐕‍🦺🦮🐩

Places are limited so don’t get caught snoozing 💤

Find out more here and book your space today.

https://pentlandsdogtraining.co.uk/dog-obedience-training-workshops/

10/03/2025

Hi everyone
Edinburgh council currently have a review in on management rules for parks, beaches and green spaces (which includes the Pentlands regional park).
This could have a huge impact on you as dog owners and myself as a business.
Please complete the survey, if you don’t agree with the options tick other and fill in the blank box with your views.

Find and participate in consultations run by City of Edinburgh Council

29/11/2024

How lovely and true ❤️❤️❤️🐾🐾🐾

Dogs die. But dogs live, too.
Right up until they die, they live.
They live brave, beautiful lives.
They protect their families. And love us.
And make our lives a little brighter.
And they don't waste time
being afraid of tomorrow ..

Dan Gemeinhart, The Honest Truth 🐶

Artist Credit: 'Best Buddies' by GallowayArts via Etsy

11/11/2024

Photo dump of last few weeks!