Savvy Sea Dogs | Bird Wise East Kent

Be a Savvy Sea Dog and wise up to bird disturbance

Our dogs love visiting the coast just as much as we do with plenty of open space, fresh air and interesting scents to sniff. Sadly dog walking, especially off-lead, is found to be the major cause of disturbance to wintering birds on the East Kent coast.

By following our Doggy Do's we can ensure that our four legged friends can continue to enjoy the coast whilst avoiding disturbance to our feathered friends.

Doggy Do's

Do keep dogs under close control
Do keep your dog on a lead if they like chasing birds or requested to do so
Do use designated off lead areas at high tide
Do make sure your dog returns when commanded
Do keep 100 metres between your dog and the birds
Do follow signs and keep to paths
Do clean up after your dog and use a bin
Do book onto a guided dog walk and a Savvy Sea Dogs training day

Savvy Sea Dog Membership Form

Please use the form below to sign up as a member and pledge to the Doggy Do's!. Only the pet's name(s) is stored. All other data is anonymous or not retained.

Enter Dog's Name - You can add multiple by clicking the +Add button

Dog's Name (information retained to monitor membership information) *

Add Remove

Your Name *

Full Address *

Postcode (information retained to map membership) *

Please list the location(s) where you walk your dog(s). *

Where did you hear about Savvy Sea Dogs? (data retained for monitoring purposes) * Where did you hear about Savvy Sea Dogs? (data retained for monitoring purposes)

If you are human, leave this field blank.

Join The Club!

Meet The Team

Michael Lee & Scout

Michael & Scout can often be seen on the coast together. Scout likes walking on her lead as she's very excitable, and loves playing with other dogs and people. Michael is the project lead for Bird Wise East Kent and has worked in the conservation field for many years. Michael has worked as an ecological surveyor, in public engagement for wildlife charities, and as a college and university lecturer in Countryside and Wildlife Management and Animal Management. This has enabled him to develop skills in creating public engagement material and events for a wide range of audiences. Michael has also owned a springer spaniel, rottweiler, and a border collie and is well aware of the training needs for working dogs!

Mark Beeching

Mark is advising Bird Wise East Kent on engaging with dog owners and running dog training programmes geared towards walking on the coast without disturbing the birds. Mark has years of experience in animal behaviour science, where he runs a BSc programme in the subject at the University of Greenwich. Mark also owns and runs an animal behaviour consultancy which includes supplying behaviour and training advice to veterinary surgeries and weekly classes for puppies and adult dogs. This includes specialising in dogs with lack of training, nervous aggression, fear based issues, separation problems, and dogs that have been turned away from other classes.

Doggy Directory

Have you been somewhere in East Kent with your Savvy Sea Dog and want to let others know about it?
Do you own a business that welcomes dogs (and their owners)?
If so, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Us