Thinking of taking a dog beach day with your best furry friend in the near future? Dog beaches are awesome places to let our dogs be themselves. But as owners, we also have to be responsible for our dogs.
How to give your dog a fun-filled, safe beach day
Keep Paws Cool
We all know how painful it is to step on the hot sand with our bare feet so imagine how your dog must feel. Protect their paw pads from burning by applying paw ointment. Rub your dogs pads with all-natural paw products, such as Musher’s Secret, before heading out. This will ease the pain from hot sand and boardwalk. If your dog already has a burn, apply Pawstik paw balm which helps relieve pain.
Avoid Sunburns
We sometimes forget that our dogs are exposed to the same dangers at the beach as we are, like sunburns. Apply sunscreen to your dog if you plan on being in the sun for a long time, especially on their nose. Make sure to use sunscreens that are especially made for dogs like Snoutstik. Never put human sunscreen on dogs! Zinc oxide is toxic for dogs so it’s best to buy dog specific products.
Look for hidden dangers
When playing in the water, look out for hidden dangers such as sharp shells that can get caught on your dog’s paws. Avoid areas that are used for fishing to prevent your dog from being caught in a hook. Also look out for critters on the beach that can potentially hurt your pup, like crabs.
A few Fitdogs enjoying the beach!
Pick up after your pup
Bring plenty of doggie bags to pick up any poop on the beach your dog might make. No one wants to find dried up poop in the sand or have it washed away by a wave or better yet – step in hot poop with their bare feet (yuck)! We all need to do our part to keep the beaches clean and be respectful of the community.
Keep your dog close by
It may go without saying but be sure to keep your dog close to you. Dogs can easily become over stimulated in a group environment and bolt. And you definitely don’t want them trampling other people’s beach towels and belongings. Bring treats with you to reinforce recall. If your dog isn’t ready for off leash play, keep them on leash.
Join our Beach Excursions!
Don’t have time to bring your dog to the beach? Join our Beach Excursions 5 days a week. We take a small group of dogs to Huntington Dog Beach for some fun! Dogs splash in the waves, dig in the sand, and play fetch with friends. This class is great for dogs with a lot of energy or anyone who just loves the beach. Find out more about our Group Classes, or create an account to get started!
Originally published on June 6, 2016. Updated on August 12, 2019.