9 Beach Rules for Cool Dogs – Dogster

Soft sand under the feet; sea ​​breeze in the air; New sights, sounds, scents – no wonder dogs love the beach. But not always the beach loves them back. There are many pitfalls that can ruin a great day on the shore. However, if you keep these nine simple rules in mind, beach day will be the highlight of your puppy’s summer!

Know before you go

Off-leash rules vary, so consult local regulators or tourism bureaus as you plan your day out, and Google “off-leash beaches.” ” for any coastal country to find many information aggregation websites. For example, some states, California and Florida, offer lots of dog-specific beaches, some with fenced-in dog areas. In some places, like Oregon, dogs are allowed on a leash on most beaches, but in such places, as Oregon law requires, “they must be directly controlled (within sight and in response to commands). ).” Direct control is always important when the pups are untethered, and that leads us to Beach Rule #2.

Perfect recall

No ifs, ands or buts – when we release the dog from the leash, they must obey the callback to keep them out of mischief and danger. Between crashing waves and howling winds, your dog may not hear a verbal cue; In such conditions, keep them close or train your dog to recall whistles and even hand signals.

Do not drink water

Salt poisoning from seawater is a significant threat to beach-loving dogs, so throw a tennis ball in the sand, don’t go out surfing, and rinse it off regularly with fresh water. Bring plenty of water to drink and take frequent breaks so your puppy isn’t tempted to try quenching his thirst with seawater. Also, the seaweed that causes so-called red tides is very toxic to dogs, so always avoid the beach when these toxic algae bloom.

Only knee deep

Even if your dog enjoys swimming, make time for him to swim for fresh water. Salt poisoning from ingesting sea water is very dangerous; strong currents and strong waves can overwhelm even the best quadruped swimmers; and some surf areas are home to stingrays and dangerous jellyfish. Let your dog roam in shallow areas, but not further, and stay away from the surf during times of storm surge and severe tidal fluctuations. If your dog may want to dip more than his paws in the water, equip him with a life jacket.

Keep them clean

Pack the waste bags. Bag dispensers are common in beach parking lots, but don’t count on it – but take into account that other beachgoers are justifiably annoyed if they step on dog poop. And speaking of cleanliness, when the beach day is over, give your dog a thorough coat and check his ears and eyes for sand and debris.

No seafood

Repeating (or a “Leave” or “No”) sign is important to protect dogs from dead and dead sea creatures washing ashore, such as crabs, fish, starfish, mussels, and even clams. even birds. Sampling seafood electives can cause serious bacterial or parasitic infections, and both seasonally and regionally, shellfish can be contaminated with dangerous toxins. Furthermore, some jellyfish and other marine life, such as the West Coast Velella jellyfish, occasionally wash up on the shores, making many beaches unsuitable for dogs that might eat (or roll on) the fish. rotting creatures. Call ahead to check for such a stuck.

Chase the ball, not the birds

Beach birds – seagulls, terns, terns and many more – are all protected species, making them indispensable for curious pups, so keep them in check. your dog when they get their attention and pay particular attention to the attraction of birds to athletic breeds. Marine mammals are also protected, and on many coastlines, baby seals rest on the beach while the mother hunts for food offshore. Pay attention to all signs announcing closures to protect wildlife.

Dawn Patrol

By far the best time to hit the beach with Fido is first thing in the morning, and not just for those memorable beach sunrises. Even popular tourist beaches are often empty of people early in the morning, making this the most suitable time. Furthermore, dawn patrols help alleviate worries about warm weather, hot sand, and too much glare.

Too much of a good thing

Unless your dog is a canine athlete in good condition, feel free to hang out on the beach, especially when the weather is warm. On the other hand, a long time at the beach is perfect for active breeds that need and need a lot of exercise. After all, a tired dog is an easygoing dog, and if you follow the beach rules, your dog will come home happy, healthy and ready to curl up and dream of sand and surf. waves and great times.