Do you have an unused field on your farm that you think could make a good dog field, but worry you couldn’t fit a second business in alongside farming? It’s a valid concern. Farming isn’t a part-time job. It’s unpredictable and often urgent – another income stream mustn’t interfere with that.
The reality is that, once it’s open, a well-run dog field won’t be zero maintenance – but it should be low maintenance. The biggest ongoing time cost, the admin, can be almost entirely handled by a good system.
Here’s what you can expect.
The setup
This is a busy stage, and it may take strong time management to fit it alongside the farm work. The good news is that you only need to do it once, so you can plan it around the quieter times on the farm.
Setup jobs include:
- Getting planning permission for the change of use – this is often the longest step. Our guide to planning permission for a dog walking field explains what’s involved.
- Secure 6ft+ fencing and a gate. This will likely be the biggest physical job, as well as the biggest cost.
- A parking area, ideally on hardstanding, with a suitable way in and out.
- Basics like a poo bin and signs, plus any extras you’ve chosen to offer, such as water, agility equipment or a shelter.
- Insurance, a booking system and field rules.
These all need to be in place before you can open, but once they are, they shouldn’t need much regular attention.
The day-to-day
Once you’re open and have a reliable booking system in place, the field should run smoothly without too much input from you. However, there is some housekeeping you’ll need to do, and most of it fits easily into a normal farm routine.
- Checking the perimeter – look for damage or gaps in the fence, digging and broken equipment, and check that the field has been left clean.
- Checking the gate and lock – make sure the codes work correctly and that the gate closes securely.
- Emptying the bin – people are more inclined to clean up after their dog if there’s a bin with space for their poo bag. In warmer weather, you may want to empty it more often.
Many owners choose to combine these checks with existing jobs, like checking stock.
Seasonal jobs
Like most fields, a dog field will need a bit more attention at certain times of year.
- Spring and summer: more regular topping for the fast-growing grass, and replenishing the water more often.
- Autumn: cutting back hedges, and keeping the parking area and drainage clear of leaves.
- Winter: mud will be the biggest thing to manage – hardstanding for parking and good drainage should help reduce it.
Unlike many outdoor businesses, dog fields often stay busy year round – some even get busier in winter as owners look for somewhere to go in the shorter days and muddy conditions – so it’s important to keep your field in good condition through the winter months.
Admin
The admin is the biggest ongoing task, but it doesn’t need to be the most time-consuming one.
If you take bookings by phone, text or Facebook messages, the admin will probably end up interfering with your days – every booking needs a back and forth between the customer and your diary, and then you have to send the gate code and make sure you get paid. Each one takes just a few minutes, but they often arrive peppered throughout the day, disrupting other jobs.
But with an online system like Muddy Booking, made especially for dog fields, you can hand this job over almost entirely.
- Customers see what’s free and book themselves, any time of day.
- Payment is taken upfront, so there’s nothing to chase.
- Gate codes and reminders go out automatically.
- Cancelled slots are offered to a waiting list without you lifting a finger.
- Customers can reschedule themselves, so you’re not rearranging the diary by hand.
You can read more about what manual bookings really cost you.
Fitting it around the farm
Diversification has become a necessity for many farmers in recent years, but while the profitability of farming has dropped, the workload hasn’t – so any new venture needs to work alongside your farm – not detract from it. Once established, a dog field can fit in well with the farm, and here are a few ways to make sure it does:
- Set opening hours that suit you. Decide when the field is open so you aren’t disturbed, or let it follow the daylight.
- Block out the field for busy periods. If you need to let the field rest, or need access yourself, simply block it from bookings.
- Leave gaps between bookings. A short buffer means customers don’t meet at the gate, so there are fewer conflicts for you to manage.
- Automate the gate. With an Igloo smart lock, codes change on a schedule without mains power or a phone signal, so you don’t need to visit the field to change the code.
- Keep checks routine. Making them part of your everyday routine will make the extra task feel less noticeable.
With a good routine and an automated field, your dog field will keep earning without taking up much of your time, which is especially useful at busy times like lambing.
Is it right for you?
If you can answer yes to most of the following questions, a dog field could work well alongside your farm.
- Do you have a field that’s underused, awkward to farm and close to the road?
- Can customers access the field safely without crossing the yard?
- Are there towns or villages within a short drive?
- Can you spare some time to regularly check the perimeter and tidy up?
- Are you happy to let a booking system handle the admin, instead of doing it by hand?
If the answer is yes, a dog field can be a steady extra income that fits around farm work rather than competing with it. Our guide to whether secure dog fields are profitable goes into the numbers.
Let Muddy take care of the admin
Muddy Booking is built for secure dog fields by a small team here in Cornwall. It takes bookings and payment upfront, sends gate codes and reminders automatically, and keeps one clear diary with no double bookings, so your field can earn while you get on with the farm.
Your first 25 bookings are free, with no time limit, no card needed and no setup fees. If you’d rather talk it through first, we’re happy to help.
- Website: muddybooking.com
- Phone: 01637 222123
- Email: team@muddybooking.com