Westonbirt Arboretum Launch Walk Your Dog Week Challenge

Dog owners are being challenged to walk their pet every day during Walk Your Dog Week, a new campaign spearheaded by Forestry Commission England and supported by some of the UK’s top dog charities.

It’s estimated 35% of UK dogs don't get daily supervised exercise and that one third of pets are overweight as a result of their owners' unhealthy lifestyles.

According to the Kennel Club, the government’s recommendation that people should get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day could be achieved on a daily dog walk, so people are being urged to match this during their excursions with their pet.

Walk Your Dog Week aims to encourage people to tackle these issues by heading outside more often with their dogs to improve their pet’s health and condition.

Held from Monday 28th April to Bank Holiday Monday, 5th May 2014, the event has the backing of the PDSA, the Kennel Club, Dogs Trust and Yellow Dog UK.

The Walk Your Dog Week challenge, for owners to walk their dog every day during the week, including time off the lead when appropriate, has been developed with vets at the PDSA to stimulate a change amongst dog owners to help transform the health and wellbeing of their dogs.

Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire has a huge area known as Silk Wood where dogs can exercise off lead, provided they are under control, so they can enjoy the arboretum alongside wildlife and other visitors. It is the perfect location for canine companions and their owners to get outdoors and get some great exercise. Westonbirt will also hold its regular ‘Walkies!’ dog friendly guided walks, during Walk Your Dog Week, at 11am on Wednesday 30 April.