Check the small print before the scenery

"Pet friendly" covers a wide range of realities. At one site it means a single well-behaved terrier sleeping in a crate on the decking; at another it means three muddy spaniels drying off by a wood burner. Neither is wrong, but booking the wrong one ruins a short break quickly, so read the rules before you pay a deposit.

• Numbers and size limits. Many pods cap dogs at two, and a few specify under 20kg. If you have a large breed or three dogs, ring and ask rather than assuming.
• Inside or outside? Some sites allow dogs in the pod but not on the beds or seating; others ask that dogs stay in a kennel or a vehicle overnight. Know which you are booking.
• Floors and furnishings. Wipe-clean vinyl and hard floors are far kinder after a wet walk than carpet and fabric sofas.
• Decking gaps. Slatted decks with wide gaps are a genuine hazard for puppies and small dogs. Look at photographs closely, or ask.
• Charges. Expect a per-dog nightly fee, sometimes with a refundable cleaning deposit on top.
• Left unattended? Most sites say no, which shapes your whole day — no pub lunch unless the pub is dog friendly too.

Also check whether the pod is heated and insulated, and whether there is a tap or hose for rinsing paws. It is the small practical details, not the view, that decide whether a pod works with a dog in February.

Match the route to livestock and the season

British footpaths cross working land, and the animals on it change month by month. Ask the owner what you are likely to meet and when.

• Ewes with lambs, roughly March to May. A dog anywhere near them is a serious risk to the dog and the flock. Keep it on a short lead, and give a wide berth to any field with young stock in it.
• Beef cattle and calves in summer grazing. Cattle are curious and can be pushy, particularly with a dog. Walk round the edge, stay calm, and let go of the lead if you are genuinely charged — a loose dog can get away; a tethered one cannot.
• Ground-nesting birds, March to July. Curlew, lapwing and skylark nest on moorland and rough pasture. Keep dogs on the path and under close control so you do not put up birds from nests.
• Ponies, donkeys and goats. Common on heaths, commons and some coastal sites. Never let a dog chase them, and do not feed them.

An owner who can tell you exactly which fields have stock in them is worth their weight in gold. That is the single best question to ask when you book.

Path surfaces matter more than distance

Two miles of rough stone is harder on paws than five miles of towpath. Think about the surface, not just the mileage.

• Old railway trails and canal towpaths. Flat, firm, usually gravel or tarmac, few stiles. Ideal for older dogs, puppies and anyone with a knee that complains.
• Moorland and fell tracks. Peat, grit and loose stone. Fine in dry weather; in the wet it is boggy, and sharp grit can wear paws raw on a long day.
• Woodland. Roots, mud and leaf litter. Beautiful, but slippery after rain and slow going.
• Stiles and gates. Kissing gates suit most dogs; ladder stiles and narrow squeeze stiles do not suit a big dog at all. Check the route description for these before you commit.
• Coastal clifftop paths. Often eroded and unfenced in places. Wonderful walking, but keep the lead on near the edge.

Check the surface notes as well as the distance. A path marked "rough, boggy underfoot" will take twice as long with a dog in tow.

Walk from the door, or plan a short drive

Ask whether a public footpath leaves the site directly, and whether you have to walk along a lane to reach it. A 60mph road with no verge turns a pleasant morning into a tense one. Sometimes a ten-minute drive to a forestry car park transforms the whole break, so check what is within easy reach before booking, and have a wet-weather alternative up your sleeve — a disused railway line or a riverside path that stays firm in the rain.

Arrive, settle, and pack for wet fur

Pods are compact. A dog that has never slept in one may find the first night strange, so bring something familiar that smells of home.

• Old towels — two more than you think you need.
• A flat sheet or throw to protect the pod floor and seating.
• A long line for open ground, plus a normal lead for roads and stock.
• A head torch for evening wees, and a clip-on light for the dog's collar.
• Tick tool, paw balm, dog first aid kit and plenty of poo bags.
• Water bowl and a bottle of water for the car.

Feed your dog after walks rather than before, and give it a couple of hours to settle before you head out for dinner. If you cannot leave it alone in the pod, book a dog-friendly pub instead — many rural ones are delighted to see you.

Questions worth asking before you book

• How many dogs, what size, and how much per night?
• Can dogs be left in the pod, or is there a secure kennel?
• Is the decking enclosed, and are there gaps in the boards?
• Which fields nearby have livestock in them at that time of year?
• Is there a footpath from the site, and what is the surface like?
• Is there a hose or outside tap for muddy paws?

Five minutes on the phone, before you book, is the difference between a relaxing rural retreat and a week of apologising. Do that bit of homework and a pet-friendly pod is one of the happiest ways to see the British countryside.