A visit to the beach is an ideal way to spend a summer day, and it can be tempting to take your dog along. But be aware the beach isn’t the best option for all dogs. For example, some breeds like the Basset Hound can’t swim. However, for the right dog, the beach can provide new sights, sounds, and smells to experience as well as opportunities for exciting games. However, there are doggie dangers too. Maximize your fun by trying these activities, training these behaviors, and watching for these hazards.

What to Do at the Beach

You can do many of your favorite at-home activities at the beach as well. For example, you can play tug-of-war or provide your dog with their favorite puzzle toy. But don’t miss out on all the opportunities for beach-related excitement. Here are some activities to try on your next beach outing:

• Go for a walk. Explore the shore and let your dog soak in the new experiences like sniffing seaweed, watching scuttling crabs, or chasing seagulls.
• Play fetch on the beach with a ball or flying disc. Just be sure to choose a quiet spot so your dog’s enthusiasm for the game doesn’t disturb other beachgoers.
• Play fetch in the water. Choose a brightly colored floating toy so your dog can spot it on top of the waves. Be sure to play this game in relatively shallow water as a bad throw can send your dog too far out from the shoreline.
• Frolic together in the water. Splashing through the waves is a fun game, but your dog can easily overtire. So, stay close to shore and don’t leave your dog’s side.
• Go swimming. If they are new to the water, teach your dog to swim. Let them go at their own pace and fit them with a life jacket to provide extra confidence. But even experienced dogs need constant supervision to ensure they don’t overtire or swim too far from shore.
• Teach your dog to surf or boogie board. If your dog is a confident swimmer, see if they might enjoy balancing on a board and surfing the waves. Learning to balance is also great for dog sports like agility or feeling comfortable in a canoe or kayak.
• Play in the sand. This is great for dogs who love to dig. Alternatively, you can build sandcastles and then let your dog destroy them.
• Go boating together. If the water is calm enough, get your dog’s life jacket and try a canoe or kayak ride together.

Whatever activities you decide to pursue, always supervise your dog. It’s important for your dog’s safety, but it’s also part of responsible dog ownership. Don’t let your dog disturb wildlife, damage vegetation, or become a nuisance to other people or dogs on the beach.

What Your Dog Should Know for a Beach Outing

To ensure a safe and enjoyable beach day, there are certain behaviors your dog should know. First, your dog should have a reliable recall. Many beach activities require letting your dog off leash, so you need to be certain your dog will come back to you when called. In fact, all your dog’s basic obedience behaviors should be under your control with either a hand signal or verbal cue. If your dog isn’t ready for that kind of freedom, stick to on-leash pursuits like walks along the shore.

Leave it is another important cue for your dog to understand. Leave it means your dog can’t eat something which could be garbage on the beach, a dead fish at the water’s edge, or food in somebody else’s picnic basket. With enough practice, leave it can also tell your dog to ignore something like wildlife or other beach goers.

Your dog should also be well socialized and comfortable sharing toys with others. Beaches can get busy, and your dog might encounter loads of people and other dogs. For a social butterfly, that’s all part of the fun. However, if your dog is uncomfortable around people or other dogs, choose quiet times to visit the beach, such as earlier on a weekday morning, rather than times of peak attendance.

What to Watch for at the Beach

There are some obvious dangers at the beach like rough waves, but you might not be aware of other hazards like drinking salt water. There are also rules to follow like leash laws and scooping poop. The following list will help you know what to watch for at the beach:

• Check the rules. Not all beaches and swimming areas allow dogs. And some locations only allow them on certain days or at certain times. It’s also important to follow the leash regulations. Your dog might be allowed off leash in some areas but not others.
• Watch for heatstroke. Provide your dog with shade and plenty of chances to rest. You might also limit your beach visits to early or late in the day when the sun isn’t as strong.
• Apply sunscreen to your dog. Dogs can suffer from sunburn, so use a pet-safe sunscreen on your dog’s nose, ears, and any other areas with sparse fur.
• Provide lots of fresh water. Your dog can easily dehydrate in the heat of summer, so frequently offer cool water to drink. Try to limit the amount of salt water your dog may drink as it can make them sick.
• Prevent your dog from eating sand. It can block your dog’s intestines causing an impaction.
• Speak to a lifeguard about the water conditions. Situations such as rough waves or strong currents can make the water too dangerous for your dog.
• Be on the lookout for dangerous sea animals that could be near the shore like stingrays and jellyfish.
• Avoid hot sand. Especially midday, sand can get blisteringly hot and can burn your dog’s paw pads. Consider booties to protect their feet or stick to walking along the water’s edge.

By Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT