skip to main content
The Royal Parks web site uses cookies. By browsing you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Read our cookie policy
  • Home
  • Media Centre
  • Careers
  • Shop
  • Contact us
  • searchsearch
The Royal Parks menu
  • Parks
    • Hyde Park
    • Kensington Gardens
    • Richmond Park
    • Bushy Park
    • St James's Park
    • The Green Park
    • The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
    • Greenwich Park
    • Brompton Cemetery
    • Victoria Tower Gardens
  • What's on
    • Help Nature Thrive
    • Upcoming events
    • Latest news
    • Blog
    • The Royal Parks Podcast
    • Self guided walks
    • Learn Online
    • The Great Exhibition Virtual Tour
    • Sign up to our Newsletter
    • Event Feedback
  • Managing the parks
    • Park management plans
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Park strategies
    • Holding events in the Royal Parks
    • Cycling in the Royal Parks
    • Conservation and improvement projects
    • Consultations
    • Licences and permits
    • Policing in the Royal Parks
    • Visitor satisfaction research
  • Support
    • Make a donation
    • Give a significant gift 
    • Leave a gift in your Will 
    • Run, cycle or swim for the parks
    • Hire The LookOut, Hyde Park
    • Become a partner
    • Corporate volunteering
    • Tributes in your local park
  • Learn
    • Learn in our Central London parks
    • Learn in The Regent's Park
    • Learn in Greenwich Park
    • Learn in Richmond Park
    • Learn in Bushy Park
    • Learn in Brompton Cemetery
    • Learn Online
    • Urban Tree Festival School Challenge
    • Green Futures project
  • Get involved
    • Careers
    • The Royal Parks Horticultural Apprenticeship Scheme
    • Volunteer with us
    • Mission Invertebrate
    • The Royal Parks in World War I
    • Play in the Park
    • Photo competition winners
    • Green Flag Awards
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • What we do
    • Procurement
    • Partner organisations
    • Publications
    • Friends of The Royal Parks
    • Contact us
    • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Donate
searchSearch
  • The Royal Parks
  • Parks
    arrow_drop_down
    • Hyde Park
    • Kensington Gardens
    • Richmond Park
    • Bushy Park
    • St James's Park
    • The Green Park
    • The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
    • Greenwich Park
    • Brompton Cemetery
    • Victoria Tower Gardens
  • What's on
    arrow_drop_down
    • Help Nature Thrive
    • Upcoming events
    • Latest news
    • Blog
    • The Royal Parks Podcast
    • Self guided walks
    • Learn Online
    • The Great Exhibition Virtual Tour
    • Sign up to our Newsletter
    • Event Feedback
  • Managing the parks
    arrow_drop_down
    • Park management plans
    • Park regulations, legislation and policies
    • Park strategies
    • Holding events in the Royal Parks
    • Cycling in the Royal Parks
    • Conservation and improvement projects
    • Consultations
    • Licences and permits
    • Policing in the Royal Parks
    • Visitor satisfaction research
  • Support
    arrow_drop_down
    • Make a donation
    • Give a significant gift 
    • Leave a gift in your Will 
    • Run, cycle or swim for the parks
    • Hire The LookOut, Hyde Park
    • Become a partner
    • Corporate volunteering
    • Tributes in your local park
  • Learn
    arrow_drop_down
    • Learn in our Central London parks
    • Learn in The Regent's Park
    • Learn in Greenwich Park
    • Learn in Richmond Park
    • Learn in Bushy Park
    • Learn in Brompton Cemetery
    • Learn Online
    • Urban Tree Festival School Challenge
    • Green Futures project
  • Get involved
    arrow_drop_down
    • Careers
    • The Royal Parks Horticultural Apprenticeship Scheme
    • Volunteer with us
    • Mission Invertebrate
    • The Royal Parks in World War I
    • Play in the Park
    • Photo competition winners
    • Green Flag Awards
  • About us
    arrow_drop_down
    • Who we are
    • What we do
    • Procurement
    • Partner organisations
    • Publications
    • Friends of The Royal Parks
    • Contact us
    • Modern Slavery Statement
  •  
  • Donate
    • Home
    • Media Centre
    • Careers
    • Shop
    • Contact us
  • Managing the parks
  • 
  • Licences and permits
  • 
  • Commercial Dog Walking Licences
  • 

Code of conduct for Commercial Dog Walking licence holders

The purpose of the code of conduct is:

  • Ensure considerate use between those undertaking licensed commercial dog walking activities in the park and other park users.
  • To protect the parks and their wildlife.
  • To ensure access to and use of public open space is preserved for all visitors.
  • To work alongside a licence agreement to ensure that operators are complying with current health and safety regulation and best industry practice for the safety and enjoyment of all.

The Code

The licensee shall not have exclusive rights over any area of the Authority's Premises and shall ensure that right of way is given to members of the general public visiting the Authority's Premises.

Licensee's shall leave the Authority's Premises in a clean and tidy condition and be liable for any loss of or damage to any Authority's Property through their direct improper use.

The Licensee shall abide by The Royal Park Regulations.

The Licensee shall not display, produce or distribute any sign or advertisement. The restriction of advertising applies to all boards, hoardings, flags, posters, etc. displaying any organisation or company or brand name of any goods, including those of the Licensee.

The Licensee must ensure that no particular area of the Authority's Premises is overused to the extent that it causes unreasonable wear and tear to the fabric of the park e.g. waterlogged, obviously worn and muddy areas.

The Licensee must wear a Licensed Operator identification armband in a way that is clearly visible to the public and Park Management representatives at all times while in the park. Where applicable the parking permit must be on display in your vehicle.

Ensure all dogs in your Group wear a collar with identification, your contact details and the dog owner's contact details.

Ensure you have a lead for each of your dogs.

Pre-screen your dogs and only bring those with proper social skills, do not bring in dogs that exhibit aggressive behaviour.

Maintain your professionalism; keeping your dogs under control at all times - any dog whose obedience cannot be guaranteed must be kept on a lead. Devote full attention to your Group to the maximum extent that is practicable and exhibit courteous behaviour to with all people and dogs you meet in the park.

Please consider other park users may not be as fond of dogs, and that some people - especially small children - can find dogs intimidating. Keep your dogs in sight at all times.

Dog waste left in the park is unpleasant for other park users, unhygienic and causes serious ecological damage to plant and animal communities. It is an offence under The Royal Park Regulations to fail to clean up after your dog. Dog waste should be placed in a tightly sealed bag and taken home or deposited in the bins marked for dog waste or in the general waste bins. Dog waste bins are provided in all Royal Parks. Anyone failing to clean up after their dog may be issued with a fine by the Police or face prosecution. Be prepared and bring more dog bags than you need, share them with other dog walkers in the park if requested.

During Deer Birthing season in Bushy and Richmond Parks (May to August) we recommend that dogs are not brought in to the two parks to avoid attacks from defensive mothers. If you are unable to find alternative locations then we require all dogs to be kept on leads at all times.

Park 'No Go' Zones

You are not permitted to use:

  • Areas within the park where Group dog walking activities have a negative impact on other park users, residents and Licensee's;
  • Areas clearly marked as sports fields, any formal garden areas and other park sensitive locations such as; waterside areas, picnic areas, conservation areas, etc.
  • Areas closed for renovation or upgrading.

A list of areas of the park unsuitable locations for commercial dog walking is available under the terms and conditions (PDF 68.19 KB). There may be other areas that have restrictions and the Authority may issue seasonal instructions from time to time - please look out for notices and regularly check The Royal Parks website.

Park 'No Go' Activities

The following activities are not to be conducted by Licensees:

  • Aggressive, intimidating, unruly or unreasonably noisy activities that interfere with the comfort of other visitors.
  • Walking groups of more than 4 dogs, it can be difficult to control large numbers of dogs so no-one should be in charge of more than 4 dogs at any one time. Do not congregate with other licensees, or non-commercial dog walkers, where the number of dogs collectively exceeds 8 dogs in total.
  • Dogs threatening or interfering with wildlife or the enjoyment of other park users. Permitting your dog to chases to chase, injure of kill any form of wildlife is an offence under The Royal Parks Regulations. You may face prosecution.

As a licence holder you agree to abide by these guidelines at all times. Non compliance to the above Code of Conduct, Section I of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and The Royal Park Regulations means you are at risk of losing your licence and being asked to leave the park with immediate effect.

Commercial Dog Walking Licences 

About the Commercial Dog Walking Licence

Fees and charges for the Commercial Dog Walking Licence

List of licensed dog walkers

Help us improve our website by providing your feedback.

Website user survey

close

search
Explore the Royal Parks
  • Hyde Park
  • Kensington Gardens
  • Richmond Park
  • Bushy Park
  • St James's Park
  • The Green Park
  • The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill
  • Greenwich Park
  • Greenwich Park Revealed - Park Restoration Project
  • Brompton Cemetery
  • Victoria Tower Gardens
  • Grosvenor Square Garden
Support the parks
  • Make a donation
  • Give a significant gift 
  • Leave a gift in your Will 
  • Run, cycle or swim for the parks
  • Hire The LookOut, Hyde Park
  • Become a partner
  • Corporate volunteering
  • Tributes in your local park
Media Centre
  • Press Releases
  • Royal Parks News Permit
  • Filming and photography
  • Royal Parks Image Library
  • News Archive
  • Trooping the Colour media accreditation
About us
  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Procurement
  • Partner organisations
  • Publications
  • Friends of The Royal Parks
  • Contact us
  • Modern Slavery Statement
Connect with us
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Watch our videos on YouTube
The Royal Parks

The Royal Parks is a registered charity (No. 1172042) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales no. 10016100 (VAT No. 261 4640 19)

Copyright © The Royal Parks 2016-2022 | Head Office: The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London. W2 2UHTerms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

close

Subscribe to our eNewsletter today

Be the first to hear our latest news and read about upcoming events, learning and volunteering opportunities, fundraising and park improvement projects when you sign up to our mailing list.

Aerial view of Regents