Private Dog Fields vs Public Parks: Which is Better for Your Dog?

Last reviewed: May 2026

The great debate

Every dog needs exercise and time outdoors, but where you take them matters. Over the past few years, private enclosed dog fields have become hugely popular across Essex and the rest of the UK. At the same time, public parks remain the backbone of daily dog walking for millions of owners. Both have their place, and the honest truth is that most dogs benefit from a combination of both rather than exclusively one or the other.

But they are very different experiences, and understanding those differences helps you make better choices for your individual dog. This guide compares the two across every dimension that matters: safety, cost, socialisation, facilities, convenience, and the overall experience for both you and your dog.

Safety: the most important factor

Private dog fields

Safety is the primary selling point of a private field, and it is hard to overstate the advantage. We've had customers tell us that a properly built enclosed field has secure, double-gated fencing that your dog cannot jump over, dig under, or squeeze through. You have exclusive access during your session, which means zero risk of an unexpected encounter with an off-lead dog, a cyclist, a jogger, or livestock.

A customer recently told us she'd tried five public parks before finding our fields. And the difference, she said, was being able to actually relax.

The field is yours. Watch closely. You control who and what is in it. For dogs that are reactive, nervous, elderly, very young, or in training, this is transformative. But it removes the constant vigilance required in public spaces and allows both dog and owner to actually relax.

The ground conditions are maintained between sessions. There is no broken glass, no discarded food, no fox droppings hiding in the long grass (or at least, the risk is dramatically lower than in a public space). But the field is checked and cleaned regularly by the operator.

Public parks

Public parks are shared spaces, and that shared nature is both their greatest strength and their biggest weakness. Small steps. You cannot control who else is there, what their dogs are like, or how well those dogs are managed. Most dog owners are responsible and considerate, but it only takes one poorly controlled dog to create a dangerous situation.

Common safety risks in public parks include:

• Off-lead dogs with poor recall: The classic scenario. An unknown dog bounds over to yours, the owner shouts "he's friendly!" from 50 metres away, and you are left managing a situation you did not ask for.
• Traffic and roads: Many parks are bordered by roads, and a dog that bolts after a squirrel or takes fright can end up in serious danger.
• Toxic substances: Rat poison, slug pellets, chocolate wrappers, chicken bones, and even deliberately poisoned bait have all been found in public parks.
• Livestock: Parks and commons that border farmland may have grazing animals, and dogs off-lead near livestock is a serious risk for everyone.
• Uneven terrain: Rabbit holes, hidden ditches, and rough ground can cause injuries, particularly to older dogs or breeds prone to joint problems.

None of this means public parks are dangerous places to walk your dog. Millions of safe, happy walks happen in parks every day. But the risks are real and they are unpredictable, which is fundamentally different from a controlled private environment.

Cost: what you actually pay

Private dog fields

A session in a private dog field in Essex typically costs between 7 and 15 pounds for 50 minutes to an hour of exclusive access. Some operators offer off-peak discounts, and most offer bulk-buy credits or wallet systems that reduce the per-session cost. If you visit twice a week, you are looking at roughly 60 to 120 pounds per month.

You might also find our post on recall training in a dog field helpful.

That is a real cost, and for some households it adds up. Start slow. But it is worth considering what you are getting: exclusive use of a maintained, secure space with no risk of the incidents that can lead to vet bills costing hundreds or thousands of pounds.

Public parks

Public parks are free to use, which is their most obvious advantage. There may be parking charges at some locations, but the walking itself costs nothing. For most dog owners, the daily park walk is the default because it is convenient, accessible, and costs nothing beyond the petrol to get there.

The hidden cost, however, is risk. A single incident involving another dog can result in vet bills, behavioural setbacks, and a loss of confidence for both dog and owner that takes months to recover from. A dog that eats something toxic in a park can rack up emergency vet fees in the hundreds. These are not certainties, but they are not rare either. Especially in winter. More than most people think.

Socialisation: where parks still win

Private dog fields

By design, private fields are not social spaces. Watch closely. You are alone with your dog (or your own group of dogs). In practice, it's exactly the point for many users, but it does mean that a dog who only visits private fields misses out on the social experience of meeting and interacting with unfamiliar dogs.

You might also find our post on activities for dog fields helpful.

That said, many owners use private fields for controlled socialisation. You can book a session and invite a friend with their dog, creating a managed, safe environment for two dogs to interact without the chaos of a public park. It's actually a better socialisation setup for many dogs, especially puppies and nervous dogs, because you control the introduction and there is no risk of a third dog crashing the party.

Public parks

Parks are where dogs meet other dogs. For a well-socialised, confident dog, this is enriching and enjoyable. They get to greet new friends, play with regular walking companions, and navigate the social nuances of canine interaction. In practice, it's genuinely good for their development and mental health.

For dogs that are not well-socialised, however, the park can be overwhelming. A nervous dog that is approached by multiple unknown dogs in quick succession is not being socialised; they are being flooded. And the line between positive socialisation and a bad experience that sets a dog back weeks or months is surprisingly thin.

Exercise quality

Private dog fields

In a private field, your dog can run flat out, change direction, sprint, and play without any constraints. There are no leads, no other dogs to manage around, and no need to interrupt play for other park users. For high-energy breeds that need a proper run, this is ideal.

The quality of exercise per minute is typically very high in a private field. Dogs run more, play more intensely, and tire out more quickly because there are no interruptions. A 50-minute field session can be more physically demanding than a 90-minute park walk.

Public parks

Parks offer longer walks with more variety of terrain, scents, and scenery. A two-hour park walk covers more ground and provides more environmental enrichment than a field session. The mental stimulation of new smells, sights, and encounters is valuable in its own right.

The trade-off is that dogs in parks are often on-lead for portions of the walk, especially near roads, livestock, or other dogs. The exercise is less intense but more sustained.

Convenience and accessibility

Private dog fields

Fields need to be booked in advance, which requires some planning. Popular time slots can fill up, especially evenings and weekends. You need to travel to the field location, which may not be as close as your nearest park. And you are locked into a specific time slot, which does not suit everyone's schedule.

Public parks

Parks are always open, always free, and usually close to home. You can go whenever you want for as long as you want. There is no booking, no time pressure, and no per-visit cost. For daily exercise, this convenience is hard to beat.

Weather considerations

Private dog fields

Most private fields are exposed outdoor spaces with limited shelter. In heavy rain, high wind, or extreme heat, the experience can be uncomfortable for both you and your dog. However, some operators provide shelter areas, and the fact that you have exclusive access means you can cut the session short or extend it without affecting anyone else.

Public parks

Parks generally offer more variety of conditions: wooded areas for shade in summer, sheltered paths for windy days, and the option to cut a walk short and head to a cafe or back to the car when the weather turns. The variety of terrain means you can usually find a comfortable route regardless of conditions.

Facilities

Private dog fields

Facilities vary between providers. Routine helps. Some offer just a fenced field with a water tap. Others have agility equipment, separate areas for different activities, seating, shelter, and even refreshments. Check what is available before you book.

Public parks

Larger parks typically have car parks, toilets, cafes, and designated dog exercise areas. At our Writtle field, we see some have purpose-built dog agility equipment. Country parks often have visitor centres and marked walking trails. The infrastructure is generally better than private fields simply because of the scale and public investment.

When to use which

Choose a private field when:

• Your dog is reactive or anxious around other dogs
• You are working on recall or other off-lead skills
• Your dog is a puppy and you want controlled, safe off-lead time
• Your dog is elderly and needs a quiet, secure space to potter
• You want a guaranteed peaceful, private exercise session
• Your dog is recovering from illness or injury and needs controlled exercise
• You are a professional walker or trainer needing a secure working space

Choose a public park when:

• Your dog is well-socialised and enjoys meeting other dogs
• You want a long, varied walk with different terrain and scenery
• You are looking for a free, daily exercise option close to home
• You enjoy the social aspect of meeting other dog owners
• You want access to facilities like cafes, toilets, and car parks

The best approach: use both

Most dogs thrive on a combination. Private fields provide safe, high-quality exercise and training opportunities. Public parks provide variety, socialisation, and the environmental enrichment of longer, more diverse walks. Using both gives your dog the benefits of each without the limitations of relying on just one.

Key takeaways

• Private fields offer unmatched safety and security, with exclusive access and full control over the environment
• Public parks offer free, convenient, varied walking with social opportunities
• Private fields are essential for reactive, nervous, elderly, or in-training dogs
• Parks provide better socialisation opportunities for confident, sociable dogs
• The cost of private fields (7 to 15 pounds per session) is modest compared to potential vet bills from park incidents
• Most dogs benefit from a mix of both, rather than exclusively one or the other

Try a private field for yourself

Our enclosed dog fields across Essex are fully fenced, well-maintained, and available to book online with instant confirmation. And if you enjoy the social side of dog exercise, our dog parks offer supervised group sessions in a secure environment.

Browse our fields and book your first session