peACEful walkspeACEful Walks are calm, one-to-one decompression walks at Tilley Farm near Bath — gentle, unhurried walks that give your dog the space to slow down, sniff, explore and reconnect.
Sometimes called decompression or enrichment walks, they're not about covering miles or "training" your dog. They're about letting your dog use their nose, settle their nervous system, and rebuild the connection between you. There's something different about walking at Tilley Farm. It's quieter, softer, a space where both you and your dog can just be. Walking alongside Matt on a long line, you'll explore the fields in a way that reflects ACE (Animal Centred Education) principles — giving your dog the freedom to move, choose, sniff and process the world around them, without pressure or expectation. These walks are guided, but gentle. You'll begin to see more of what your dog is telling you through their body, their pace and their choices. And in that space, something shifts — stress eases, confidence grows, and both ends of the lead can finally breathe. |
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Who peACEful Walks are forpeACEful Walks are especially helpful if:
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Photo Credit: Rebecca Reed Photography
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What happens on a peACEful Walk
We meet at Tilley Farm and walk the fields together at an unhurried pace, with your dog on a long line so they can move freely and sniff to their heart's content.
Rather than directing your dog, we follow their lead - letting them sniff, pause and explore, while Matt helps you read what they're communicating and respond in a way that builds calm and confidence.
Sniffing is a natural stress-reliever for dogs, so it's a decompression walk in the truest sense: a reset for your dog's nervous system, and often a calming hour for you too.
Rather than directing your dog, we follow their lead - letting them sniff, pause and explore, while Matt helps you read what they're communicating and respond in a way that builds calm and confidence.
Sniffing is a natural stress-reliever for dogs, so it's a decompression walk in the truest sense: a reset for your dog's nervous system, and often a calming hour for you too.
Frequently asked questions
What is a decompression or enrichment walk?
A decompression walk - sometimes called an enrichment walk - is a calm, dog-led walk where your dog is free to sniff, explore and move at their own pace on a long line, rather than being hurried along. The goal is calmness and connection, not exercise or training. Our peACEful Walks at Tilley Farm are exactly this.
Which dogs benefit from a decompression walk?
They're especially good for dogs who find busy or fast-paced walks stressful - nervous, sensitive, easily over-aroused or reactive dogs - and for newly adopted or rescue dogs who need time to settle. That said, almost any dog enjoys the chance to slow down and just be a dog for a while.
How is it different from a normal dog walk?
Instead of covering distance at your pace, a decompression walk follows your dog's lead. They choose where to go, what to sniff and how fast to move. Sniffing naturally lowers a dog's stress, so these walks help your dog reset and feel calmer, rather than wound up.
Where do the walks take place?
At Tilley Farm, in Farmborough near Bath - quiet, open fields that give your dog plenty of safe space away from the busy triggers of everyday walks. Matt walks alongside you and your dog.
Do I need any special equipment?
No - just bring your dog on a harness if you have one. We'll guide you on using a long line so your dog can move freely and safely.
How do I book a peACEful Walk?
Get in touch and we'll arrange the details and find a time that suits you and your dog.
