Ask any secure dog field owner what the most annoying part of running a field is, and access almost always comes up. You need to strike a delicate balance between letting customers come and go autonomously and making sure people can’t let themselves in on the wrong day – or strangers can’t wander in for a free walk (believe us, it has happened!).
It’s why so many owners end up doing the same tedious job: changing the code by hand every few days so it doesn’t spread too far, then working out which clients need which gate code and emailing it out manually. It does work, but it ties you to the field in a time-sensitive way.
Muddy Booking’s Igloo smart lock integration removes this job entirely. Instead of changing the code yourself, the smart lock automatically changes it at predetermined intervals of your choosing, and emails the correct gate code to the correct customer.
Here’s how automatic gate codes work for a dog field, and why they’ve become one of the features we get asked about the most.
The problem with a single dog field gate code
A fixed padlock code is simple, but the longer you use it, the less secure it gets. Using the same code for months on end tends to cause problems – usually because someone turns up on the wrong day or at the wrong time and can let themselves straight in, since the code never changed. The result is unhappy customers, and you scrambling to do an emergency code change and send the new details to everyone with an upcoming booking.
Meeting customers to let them in is a less popular way of managing access, but it’s more secure than reusing the same code for long periods. The catch is that it chains you to the field all day, every day — and removes the book-and-go appeal that makes a dog field such a popular side income in the first place. (If you’re still weighing up whether a field is worth it, our guide on whether secure dog fields are profitable goes into the numbers.)
Automatic gate codes give you security, freedom and reassurance.
How automatic gate codes work for a dog field
Once your Igloo smart lock is paired with Muddy, the whole access flow runs on its own:
- A customer books and pays through your Muddy booking page, exactly as normal.
- A gate code is generated and sent to the customer ahead of their slot by email, WhatsApp or SMS.
- A new code is set at intervals decided by you.
- The new code is sent automatically to any bookings taking place after the change.
Once the lock is set up, you never need to touch a gate, text a code, or get out of bed on a Sunday night because you suddenly remember you forgot to change it. The booking and the access become a single action.
Keyless entry that works with no signal
You might be thinking, “sounds great, but my field sits at the end of a farm track with no signal.” Here’s the good news: once set up, Igloo locks work completely offline.
They use algorithmic PIN technology (algoPIN) – the lock validates each code on its own, with no WiFi, mobile data or mains power at the gate. The code is worked out in advance and simply works when the customer taps it in. All you need to do is charge the lock occasionally.
For dog fields, which are usually out in the countryside away from reliable internet, this is crucial. Plenty of smart access systems assume a strong connection at the gate, but that isn’t practical for a real field.
Prefer to keep your existing padlock? Muddy still sends the codes
Not ready to invest in a smart lock yet? You can still take the manual work off your hands. Even with a standard padlock, you set the codes yourself and Muddy automatically generates and sends the right code to the right customer with their booking. The only difference is that you change the physical padlock yourself when the code rotates, rather than the lock doing it for you — but the fiddly part, working out who needs which code and emailing everyone, is still handled for you.
What automatic gate codes give you
Beyond the obvious convenience, here’s how the integration changes the way your whole field runs:
- No manual code changes. The job of rotating the padlock code every few days simply disappears.
- No key handovers, ever. Nothing to lose, copy, or hand back.
- A truly unattended dog field. You can be at work, on holiday, or asleep while bookings come in and customers let themselves in and out.
- Fewer “what’s the code again?” messages. The code is sent to the customer automatically.
- Peace of mind. Access is tied to real, paid bookings, so only the people who should be there can get in.
Who automatic gate codes suit
This is a fit for any owner who’d rather manage their gate from their phone than from the gate itself – but it’s especially worth it if you’re running several slots a day, operate more than one field, or just want your field to be a source of secondary income in the background, not a second full-time job.
If you’re still in the planning stages, it’s far easier to build keyless entry in from the start than to retrofit it onto a busy field later. Our guide to starting a secure dog field covers the other decisions worth making early.
Setting up keyless entry on your dog field
Setup is designed to be straightforward, even if you’d never call yourself a “tech person.” In short, you pair your Igloo lock, connect it to your Muddy account, and from then on the gate codes take care of themselves:
- Purchase your Igloo smart lock directly from Igloo (a one-off cost, paid to Igloo).
- In your Muddy Booking account, head to Subscriptions and add the Igloo Lock Integration (£5 per month, ex VAT, per lock).
- Sync your lock to your Muddy Booking account.
- Assign your lock to the correct field.
- Put the lock on your gate.
- Sit back and relax!
Frequently asked questions
Do automatic gate codes need WiFi or a phone signal at the field?
No. Igloo locks work offline using algoPIN technology, so codes are validated at the gate without any internet or mobile signal – ideal for rural dog fields.
How much does the integration cost?
There are two parts: the Igloo smart lock itself, which is a one-off purchase paid directly to Igloo, and the Muddy integration, which is £5 per month (ex VAT) per lock. If you run more than one field, each lock is added separately.
Can I use this with a normal padlock instead of a smart lock?
Yes. If you set your codes manually, Muddy still generates and emails the correct code to each customer automatically – you’ll just need to change the physical padlock yourself when the code changes.
Can I still open the gate myself?
Yes – you keep full control of your own lock for letting yourself in. The current code can be found in the admin area of your account.
Do my customers need to download an app?
No. They receive their gate code by your chosen notification method – email, WhatsApp or SMS — and simply enter it at the gate. There’s nothing for them to install.
Ready to put your dog field gate on autopilot?
If you’re tired of changing padlock codes by hand — or you’re setting up a new field and want keyless entry from day one — automatic gate codes are one of the simplest ways to make your field genuinely hands-off.
Sign up for free and see how Muddy and Igloo work together, or get in touch and we’ll talk you through it.