The Best Places to Walk and Train Your Dog in Hertfordshire and Essex: A Dog Trainer's Perspective
Discovering Dog-Friendly Gems in Hertfordshire and Essex
As a professional dog trainer based in Harlow, Essex, I spend a lot of time walking and working with dogs in the great outdoors. But not all parks and woodlands are created equal when it comes to creating reliable obedience, building dog neutrality, or shaping great recall and engagement. The right environment can set your training up for success, whether you have a boisterous pup or a reactive adult dog.
In this blog, I’m sharing my top three favourite places to walk and train dogs in Hertfordshire and Essex. Whether you're deep in the puppy training phase or working on reactivity and focus, these spaces offer the ideal mix of open space, environmental exposure, and safe distance from distractions.
Let’s dive in!
Use your daily walks to practice neutrality, focus, and engagement - not just exercise.
Why Environment Matters for Dog Training Success
One of the most underrated aspects of dog training is choosing the right place to practise skills. As trainers, we often talk about stages of learning—dogs don’t generalise well, so proofing their obedience in different environments is key. But equally important is safety, space, and the ability to control your surroundings.
Whether you’re working on loose lead walking, building neutrality around dogs and people, or creating that dream recall, your environment plays a huge role in success. Overly busy areas can overwhelm young or reactive dogs, and too quiet means missing out on real-life practice.
So what’s the sweet spot? Let’s explore it through three of my absolute go-to spots.
1. Pishiobury Park, Sawbridgeworth
Pishiobury Park offers a perfect balance of open space, well-maintained paths, and beautiful scenery. It’s my top pick for puppy training sessions and early socialisation walks.
Why I Love It:
Large open fields allow for long-line recall work
Enough foot traffic to practise neutrality without overwhelming
Natural distractions like horses, joggers, and cyclists—great for real-life exposure
Plenty of off-path space for working at a distance from triggers
Trainer Tip: Use the wooded edges for hide-and-seek recall games or engagement exercises - these areas give dogs a sense of exploration without too much overstimulation.
2. Hatfield Forest
Owned by the National Trust, Hatfield Forest is more than a scenic walk - it can be a powerful training ground! From woodland trails to open meadows, there’s no shortage of varied terrain to challenge your dog’s focus and engagement.
What Makes Hatfield Forest Ideal:
Dogs must be on lead near livestock, which helps reinforce loose-lead walking
Lakes, picnic areas, and children’s play zones offer controlled distractions
Perfect for training around wildlife and managing impulse control
Wide variety of footpaths, ideal for long sessions with gradual intensity building
Training Opportunity: I love using Hatfield Forest for training dogs who need help learning how to cope in busier public spaces. Because the park has clearly defined on-lead areas, it’s a great place to practise obedience while managing safety and structure.
Ask Yourself: How often do you change the location of your training walks to challenge your dog’s generalisation skills?
3. Panshanger Park, Hertford
Panshanger Park is an underrated gem for dog training! With expansive walking routes, riverside trails, and wide open areas, it’s a fantastic spot to work on dog neutrality and calm exposure to other animals and people.
What Sets Panshanger Apart:
Spacious trails ideal for maintaining distance from other dogs
Gradual exposure opportunities with plenty of exit strategies
Excellent for counterconditioning reactivity in a safe and scenic setting
Trainer Insight: I often bring clients here when their dogs are learning to coexist calmly around other dogs without constant stimulation. One rescue German Shepherd I worked with made huge progress at Panshanger—going from reactive barking to calmly checking in with her handler around passing dogs.
FAQ: Can I train my reactive dog in a public park? Yes - but with the right setup. Ensure you have a training plan in place first and always follow your trainers advice. Choose parks that offer space and visibility, use a long line, and work at your dog’s threshold. Avoid peak hours and always prioritise safety.
New locations = new smells, sights, and situations that help generalise obedience and focus.
The Power of Location in Behaviour Modification
Working with reactive, fearful, or high-drive dogs often involves counterconditioning emotional responses. This means your dog’s training environment must allow for distance, safe exposure, and a calm handler mindset. When the space is right, you can help your dog build resilience, confidence, and neutrality.
Training in the wrong environment, however, can cause setbacks, heighten reactivity, or trigger over-arousal, especially in younger dogs. The three parks listed above offer the balance needed to make real-life training effective and enjoyable.
Top Tips for Successful Dog Walks and Dog Training
Here are a few essentials to keep in mind:
Use a long line: Great for practising recall while maintaining safety
Bring high-value rewards: Especially useful when proofing obedience
Time your visits: Avoid peak hours if working on reactivity or distractions
Know your dog’s threshold: Always work just below where your dog would react
Rotate locations: Generalise skills across different places and scenarios
At ASCENDK9, you’re part of a like-minded community of owners who get it.
Community and Continued Support: Free Monthly Client Walks
At ASCENDK9, we know training doesn’t end after a few sessions. That’s why we offer monthly free catch-up and walk sessions exclusively for our clients. We love to visit these spots listed above and many others, too!
Our neutral walks are more than just casual strolls - they’re led by your dog trainer and offer an opportunity to practice obedience around like-minded, responsible owners.
These walks allow dogs to:
Practice neutrality and recall in a group setting
Socialise correctly in a safe, structured environment
Build confidence with consistent guidance
And for owners, it’s a chance to connect, share progress, and even meet future training buddies.
We’ve seen beautiful friendships - and well-trained dogs - grow from these sessions!
Support, Not Shame
One of the core values is community over comparison. We know first-hand how isolating the dog training journey can feel - especially if you’re working through reactivity, confidence building, or simply navigating the early stages of puppyhood. I’ve been there myself.
That’s why our monthly client walks are completely free. It’s our way of giving back to the people and dogs who show up, stay committed, and sometimes just need a little reassurance that they’re not alone. Training can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, but when you’re surrounded by others walking a similar path, everything changes.
No judgment. Just support, guidance, and a space to practise with peace of mind.
Find What Works for Your Dog
Not every dog will thrive in the same environments. Some will love the open spaces of Pishiobury, others will benefit from the structure of Hatfield Forest. The important thing is choosing locations that allow your dog to succeed, learn, and grow.
If you’re unsure where to begin or struggling with a specific training challenge, we’re here to help.
Book a consultation with ASCENDK9 and let’s find the right space, structure, and strategy to help your dog become the calm, reliable companion you want them to be.