Learn dog training tips with interactive Facebook Live sessions over the Easter weekend

As part of the national park’s Take the Lead campaign, Natalie Bright will go live on Facebook to provide tips on how to be a responsible dog walker and answer people’s dog-related questions.

With more than 14 years of experience in the companion animal sector, Natalie has some great tricks up her sleeve, such as games to play with dogs to keep them on the footpath and away from ground-nesting birds, how to keep dogs calm and happy near cattle or other animals, and which waste bags are best for the planet but also will not rip in your hand.

Natalie, who will be hosting the training sessions from her back garden, said: “The South Downs National Park is a great place to walk with your dog, and in times like these it’s so important that we are able to do this safely.

“I’m excited to share some of my dog training knowledge with you all to hopefully help make your countryside adventures with your pooches that bit more fun.

“In these isolating times it’ll be great to have the opportunity to virtually interact with you all too, so please do ask any questions you have during these sessions.

“What better to cheer us all up than a good chinwag about dogs.”

This Countryside Canines series includes three live and interactive talks on some of the key topics for the dog walking community, such as how to keep your dog calm when walking near livestock, why it’s important to stick to the path and exactly why picking up your dog’s mess is vital for the health and wellbeing of animals and humans.

Join Natalie on the South Downs National Park Facebook page for Countryside Canines at 10.30am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Find out more about the park’s Take the Lead campaign on the South Downs National Park website.

---

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: “Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role.”

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

In addition, please write to your MP urging the Government to provide some additional financial support for local newspapers and their websites like this one and ensuring that supermarkets continue to stock them. I cannot stress enough how important such an intervention would be.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.