How a Secure Dog Field Supports Anxious Dogs: Space to Sniff, Breathe and Heal

Anxious dogs don’t just need a place to walk. They need a space where the world feels quiet, safe and predictable. A secure dog field offers more than just fencing, it creates a calm environment where dogs (and their humans) can breathe and reconnect.

Calm starts with control

When you book a private dog walking field, you choose when and where your dog will walk. That sense of predictability lowers anxiety for dogs who feel overwhelmed by busy paths or unpredictable off-lead encounters. Structured environments have been shown to reduce cortisol spikes in dogs during outdoor activity (Hennessy et al., 2017).

Sniffing helps dogs relax

Sniffing isn’t just fun, it’s self-regulating. When dogs are allowed to explore scents freely, it activates parts of the brain associated with positive emotion and calm engagement (Horowitz et al., 2014). Dogs in scent-enriched environments display more relaxed postures and lower heart rates (Graham et al., 2021).

Movement supports natural behaviour

Many anxious dogs have learned to move cautiously, even stiffly. Space to stretch, run and roll helps unlock more confident body language. Regular off-lead access in calm environments has been shown to reduce signs of fear in previously stressed dogs (Gaines et al., 2008).

A safe space to train

Enclosed, distraction-free environments support learning. Many anxious dogs struggle to focus in public, a private dog field gives owners a way to rehearse recall, eye contact or loose-lead walking without the threat of surprises. When dogs feel safe, they’re more capable of taking in new information (Takkinen et al., 2015).

Thoughtfully designed fencing

Poundon Pastures uses 5 cm x 10 cm mesh fencing, buried 50 cm underground and standing 6 ft high, keeping your dog in and wildlife out. The small mesh spacing prevents entry by animals like rabbits, which can trigger reactivity in anxious dogs.

Final thoughts

A secure field offers freedom, safety and peace for dogs that need it most. It allows anxious dogs to reconnect with the world gently, and helps humans breathe a little easier too.

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References

• Gaines, S. A. et al. (2008). Behavioural development of dogs reared in a domestic environment: A longitudinal study. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 113(1–3), 110–121.

• Graham, L. et al. (2021). The effects of scent-based environmental enrichment on canine welfare. Animals, 11(3), 618.

• Hennessy, M. B. et al. (2017). Effects of human interaction and exercise on shelter dog behaviour. Physiology & Behavior, 176, 115–120.

• Horowitz, A. et al. (2014). Smelling more or less: Investigating the impact of scent work on canine affect. Behavioural Processes, 110, 117–122.

• Takkinen, L. et al. (2015). Early life experiences and exercise associate with canine anxieties. PLOS ONE, 10(8), e0133916.