How to Have a Fun Day on the Beach This Summer With Your Dog

When the sun is shining and the mercury is rising, there is nothing that many of us want to do more than pay a visit to the nearest beach. It is only natural to want to bring your dog with you on these trips, but if you are going to then there are some tips you should observe.

Get Everything Ready

Before you and your pet head off to the beach, you should run through your checklist of important items and make sure that you have got everything with you. Before you consider taking your dog to any public beach, it is imperative that you are certain that they are ready for the experience. Not only should you have already taken the time to prepare them for being around crowds of strange people and dogs, but you also need to make sure that you have pet insurance sorted out.

No matter how diligent you are while you are at the beach, there is always the potential for your dog to become injured or otherwise harmed while at the beach. Depending on the type of dog insurance that you have, you might be protected from minor injuries or you could be covered to some extent for any eventuality. You can use a provider like Everypaw to explore dog insurance options online; you can read more about dog cover here. Everypaw offers a range of policies for dogs, with different levels of cover.

Remember to pack all of the usual essentials for your pet, things like their water bowl, their lead, and anything else that you think they might need on the beach. You don't want to get there and then realise you've left something important at home.

Make Sure Your Dog Is Sociable

Before you take your dog anywhere near to a public beach it is important that you understand how they react around other dogs and people. Some dogs are naturally more sociable than others and will take much more readily to the beach environment. However, many dogs will need to be supervised while they are on the beach and this can determine which beaches you consider visiting.

If your dog is still young and unpredictable then it is a good idea to try to take them to a relatively quiet beach before you introduce them to a more chaotic and crowded situation. Even if your dog is surrounded by other friendly dogs, there is still room for misunderstandings to occur.

For many of us, a trip to the beach is synonymous with a calm and relaxing experience. However, if you are dealing with a nervous or anxious dog, then your experience is going to be anything but calm and relaxing. If your dog has not spent much time around crowds, consider keeping them on a lead during your trip, even if you aren't required to.

Choose The Right Beach

If you want both you and your pet to have the most enjoyable time possible at the beachcomber you need to pick the right beach for your trip. Don't just pack your dog into the car and take them to the nearest beach without first doing your research.

First and foremost, you need to make sure that the beach you want to visit allows you to bring your dog with you. The last thing that you want is to get all the way to your destination only to discover that you aren't allowed on the beach with your dog.

It is also worth looking online for user reviews of any beaches you are considering, pay particular attention to reviews from other dog walkers. Your goal is to get an idea of how busy the beach is likely to be and what to expect in terms of crowds and other dogs when you are there. Only you know your dog; if they are fine with crowds, then this might not be an issue. However, if your dog is generally nervous and doesn't enjoy being in crowded places, try finding them a quieter beach to visit.

Invest In A Lifejacket

If you are heading to a beach you have never been to before or one where you don't know the waters very well, it is worth investing in a life jacket for your dog. Even if your dog is a very strong swimmer, there are always going to be unpredictable undercurrents and other hazards in the water that are difficult or impossible to spot from the shore.

Investing in a life jacket doesn't just keep your dog safer if they get into difficulties while swimming, but it also makes them much easier to pick out from the crowd. Look for a brightly-coloured lifejacket; a bright pink option will be easy to see and will not blend in with the sand.

Make Sure Your Dog Has Somewhere To Cool Off

Don't assume that just because you will be on the beach and right next to the ocean that your dog won't need shade and water. Whenever you are expecting your dog to get a significant amount of exercise, you need to bring along some water for them and ensure that they have somewhere cool and shady to recover after exerting themselves.

When your dog has had enough of splashing in the waves, it is important that you have a dedicated cooling-off zone that they can return to. Dogs can be just as susceptible to dehydration and heatstroke as people are, if you are concerned about your own or your children's exposure to the heat then you should also be concerned for your dog.

Bring Sunscreen

Dogs are just as susceptible to skin damage from exposure to the sun. While their fur will provide them with a degree of protection, it is not a perfect solution. Applying sunscreen to your dog can offer them the same benefits as it does to people. Equally, allowing your dog too much exposure to the sun can be seriously detrimental to their health.

With the right preparation, bringing your dog with you to the beach should enhance your own experience of being there. Just make sure that you take the time to prepare properly beforehand.