Some dogs cannot safely be let off the lead because of poor recall. Others are nervous, reactive, elderly, excitable or easily distracted.
Some simply believe every rabbit, cyclist and distant sandwich requires immediate investigation.
Start with what you have
You may already have the perfect location
A dog field does not need to be enormous or elaborate.
With suitable fencing, secure access, safe parking and thoughtful management, a paddock or field can become somewhere local dog owners visit regularly.
You can start with the essentials and develop the field over time.
Some customers want activities and equipment. Others simply want a quiet, private space where their dog can run without interruption.
Both can work.
A service people value
Why dog owners use secure fields
Secure dog fields are useful for a wide range of dogs and owners. They are particularly valuable for:
- ✓Dogs with unreliable recall
- ✓Reactive or nervous dogs
- ✓Rescue dogs
- ✓Puppies in training
- ✓Elderly dogs
- ✓Dogs recovering from injury
- ✓Dogs that become overwhelmed in busy parks
- ✓Owners who want privacy
- ✓Professional dog walkers
- ✓People caring for somebody else’s dog
The field gives owners control over their environment and allows dogs to exercise safely.
For many customers, that peace of mind is worth returning for every week.
Reliable demand
Build a repeat-booking business
Dog fields can generate regular bookings because customers often return to the same place.
Once an owner finds a secure field that suits their dog, they may book weekly, several times a week or whenever they need a safe exercise space.
This creates the opportunity to build a reliable customer base rather than relying entirely on one-off visitors.
Ways to encourage repeat visits
A field does not have to be full every hour to produce worthwhile income.
Try your own pricing
Potential dog-field earnings
Move the slider to see how your hourly booking rate could change your gross income throughout the year.
Based on one 50-minute private session plus a 10-minute changeover each hour.
At 50% occupancy
gross income per year
The calculator assumes:
- ✓One booking starts each hour
- ✓A 10-minute gap between customers
- ✓Summer hours of 7:00am to 8:00pm
- ✓Winter hours of 7:00am to 5:00pm
- ✓183 summer days and 182 winter days
- ✓Availability throughout the year
That creates a maximum annual capacity of approximately 4,199 bookings.
| Average occupancy | Annual bookings | Monthly income | Potential annual income |
|---|---|---|---|
|
20%
|
840 | £490 | £5,879 |
|
35%
|
1,470 | £857 | £10,288 |
|
50%
|
2,100 | £1,225 | £14,697 |
|
65%
|
2,729 | £1,592 | £19,105 |
|
80%
|
3,359 | £1,960 | £23,514 |
|
100%
|
4,199 | £2,449 | £29,393 |
Even at a relatively modest occupancy level, a secure dog field can generate a useful additional income.
At 35% occupancy, this example produces gross annual booking income of approximately £10,288. At 50% occupancy, that rises to approximately £14,697.
A well-established field operating at 65% occupancy could generate approximately £19,105 per year.
These figures do not include possible additional income from premium sessions, multiple households, training, equipment hire, memberships or other services.
Plan carefully
What costs should you consider?
Before opening a field, it is important to consider the likely setup and operating costs. These may include:
- Fencing and gates
- Ground preparation
- Access improvements
- Parking
- Planning or local authority requirements
- Insurance
- Signage
- Maintenance
- Waste bins and disposal
- Water supply
- Payment processing
- Security equipment
- Business rates or taxation
- Advertising
The exact requirements will depend on the land, location and facilities provided.
The income figures shown above represent gross booking income before expenses and tax.
Your online home
Make booking easy
A successful dog field should be easy to find, easy to understand and easy to book.
When you join Unclipped, you can create your own dedicated field webpage with a unique address, such as:
unclipped.co.uk/your-field-name
Your page can display photographs, prices, facilities, availability, field rules, fence details, parking information, directions, booking options and special offers.
Customers can visit the page, choose a time and book online without needing to wait for a reply.
Our dog field management software keeps your bookings, customers, promotions and analytics together in one account.
Reach more owners
We help people discover your field
Unclipped also gives you promotional tools to help share your page and attract customers.
You can promote your unique URL through your own website, social media, local groups, printed materials and signage.
We also promote registered dog fields through Unclipped’s social media channels, helping connect field owners with dog owners who are actively searching for secure places to visit.
Ready when you are
Already have a dog field?
Joining Unclipped gives your field a professional online presence and makes it easier for customers to find and book you.
- ✓Your own Unclipped webpage
- ✓A unique shareable URL
- ✓Online booking management
- ✓Customer records
- ✓Discounts and promotional tools
- ✓Booking analytics
- ✓Income reporting
- ✓Social media exposure through Unclipped
- ✓A place within a dedicated dog-field directory
Whether your field is a simple enclosed paddock or the canine equivalent of a five-star resort, Unclipped helps you promote it professionally.
Give your land a new purpose
Got land? Give it a new purpose
A secure dog field can benefit landowners, dog owners and the wider community.
It can provide additional income, encourage responsible dog exercise and create a safe environment for animals that cannot comfortably use public spaces.
You provide the space.
We provide the tools.
The dogs provide the chaos.
Fence it. List it. Let them run free.
List your field