I’m Emma, and together with my husband Lee - our very own Chief Landscaper, we run 'The Dog Paddock'.

I also own and run Puppy Plus Training and Behaviour Services from our Training Barn in Newtown. Over the years we’ve supported many families and their dogs, and one thing that frequently comes up is how difficult it can be to find a space to give some dogs safe freedom off lead.

We realised there was a gap - not just for our clients, but for the wider community too. So, together we created The Dog Paddock: a secure, private dog walking field where families can relax and let their dogs safely enjoy the freedom they deserve.

Many sensitive dogs, particularly those who show reactivity, or those who have strong predatory behaviour, or simply have an unreliable recall can have very limited experiences because of this. Not every dog can enjoy being off lead around other dogs, people, or livestock. And yet, having the chance to run, sniff, explore, and just be a dog is so important for their wellbeing.

Without those opportunities, dogs can become chronically stressed and that stress often shows up as problem behaviour. In fact, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 recognises being able to express natural behaviours as one of the five freedoms essential for animal welfare. Providing opportunities for our dogs to decompress from the world around them, is very often a vital part of our behavioural therapy. 

Our paddock is surrounded by 6ft fencing with a double-gated entry system for extra peace of mind. Once inside, your dogs can run, sniff, dig, and play at their own pace.

We’re adding enrichment features such as a sandpit for digging, natural paths, wild areas left unmown for exploration, and new trees for shade and interest as the seasons change. We have a picnic area, a shelter for if it is wet, and a scent wall for just a little something extra to do. 

The paddock is available for hire by one household at a time, for up to five dogs. If you have more than five, just let us know — we’ll happily accommodate you with a few extra guidelines in place. Sessions are spaced with 5–10 minute gaps in between bookings, so every dog and guardian can arrive and leave calmly, without pressure.

Our vision is to create a space where dogs and their people can simply be together — walking, playing, or just enjoying a peaceful moment outdoors. The paddock will continue to evolve over the next year as we trial new ideas and add more enrichment, so it will only get better with time.

And if you’ve visited other dog fields on your travels and seen something wonderful, we’d love to hear your suggestions — this will be a space that grows with our community.