Secure field for dog owners

warrington

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Just looking for feedback really
I am thinking of turning my 2 acre field into a secure field for dog owners to rent by the hour. One owner at a time so you can have exclusive use of the field. The field would have a 1 metre fence all around and gated access. The field is in Warrington but is on the outskirts so is rural. Easy access but not near any main roads.
Is this something that would generate enough interest to make it viable. This is not a free or low cost option as I would need to invest some money to get it set up right. This may sound a bit off but it is the only way I can see that I could get it to work.
What do people think
 
I think it would get contaminated with dog poo, I also wondered about how to allow paid access, you don't want people knocking on your door 24/7.
If it was for dog agility or training gundogs it might attract responsible people, but it does not look a very attractive proposition as an owner or a landowner.
 
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There is demand for this sort of thing but you'd need all the normal insurance, whistles and bells so that you and your customers are covered in case of accidents. I'd look at a toileting area, providing poo bags, bins, a water station and some basic activities. And agree you'd need a bigger fence, I expect my dog to jump 1m, with clearance.
 
I think a higher fence plus a dog poo bin are needed. You could also consider hiring it out to gun dog trainers, fly ball groups, agility groups etc... but you would have to investigate whether you would need to provide the equipment. Also if you do get groups will you need to have a seating area? Is there a loo available nearby for the humans?
 
I think a higher fence plus a dog poo bin are needed. You could also consider hiring it out to gun dog trainers, fly ball groups, agility groups etc... but you would have to investigate whether you would need to provide the equipment. Also if you do get groups will you need to have a seating area? Is there a loo available nearby for the humans?

Yes but how does OP dispose of the poo, Ok to sneak it in to her bin once or twice, but not as a commercial disposal method.
 
In the compost or on a muck heap? Biodegradable poo bags should work with that.

You can't really just have poo all over the field if it's being rented out, so it does need to go somewhere.
 
Well that assumes she has a muck heap, or a very large garden as it is horrid stuff, I once got told off for sweeping the debris out of my van on the muck heap.
.......... no one wants dog siit.
 
It's something that the OP will have to work out. It's not impossible to have a compost heap/container even with a small garden and by the time you have put grass clippings and veg peelings on, the dog poo will be spread out.
 
I rent a secure exercise field occasionally. I have had to fill in a registration form and prove my dogs are vaccinated. It costs £10 an hour. I am expected to bag all poo and take it home with me. I also bring my own water and do not expect a loo (I can usually be trusted to be clean for one hour!). I bring whatever equipment i want to use as well. The fencing is 1,30m and the five bar gates are netted with a plank blocking the bottom gap. I book it by texting the owner in advance. There are no gaps anywhere for a small dog to escape but it is up to owners not to bring dogs who would jump out. I had to go and see the field before booking it so the onus was on me to make sure it suited my dogs.
It is a much needed facility and the owner grazes it when it is not hired out and keeps it clean and hazard free
 
and do not expect a loo (I can usually be trusted to be clean for one hour!).

The reason I mentioned it was because I recently took up archery again which is essentially an activity in a field. It can be a pain if you travel a fair way and want to stay for a few hours and then have to travel home again if there is no loo. I could only find one group with a loo available which did surprise me. As I suggested groups hiring the field, which may want to stay longer than an hour, then a loo becomes more necessary IMO. I just thought that aiming to hire to groups would make economic sense for the OP.
 
My dog groomer does this, and it's very popular. He has stock fencing only, owners are responsible for pucking up after their dogs and taking it home.
 
It's the reason I use a certain kennel and that one only. There's a secure field with 1.5m stock fencing. I think it could be fab, but up your fences and stock fence and do pop in checks to see if they're picking up after themselves. You can't dispose of so much poo yourself!
 
Thanks everyone for all the feedback
Still not sure if this idea would work, good and bad points been highlighted. We have rescue dogs that are anxious around other dogs which is why we moved to a rural area with a field, before this we would have jumped at the chance to use a secure field. I understand the concerns but I guess it's down to finding responsible owners not just allowing the field to be abused by all and sundry
 
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