{"id":1130,"date":"2019-04-30T18:42:43","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T18:42:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.petmoneysaver.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1130"},"modified":"2019-05-06T16:53:04","modified_gmt":"2019-05-06T16:53:04","slug":"dog-beaches-for-first-timers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petmoneysaver.co.uk\/blog\/dog-beaches-for-first-timers\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog Beaches for First Timers"},"content":{"rendered":"

A practical guide to taking your dog to the beach<\/h2>\n

Article by Lauren Bate (diaryofaspanglishgirl.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

As the summer sun starts to appear, most of us will start\u00a0 thinking about packing a deckchair and having a relaxing trip to the beach. If you\u2019re a dog owner, like me, you\u2019re more than likely considering packing your towel and taking your dog for a fun trip out to the beach too.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re lucky enough to live near the sea, or have the capacity to travel to one with your dog, you\u2019ll find great pleasure in taking your four-legged friend to the beach. It can be such an enriching and fun experience, but the wonderful days at the beach very rarely come without an incident or two.<\/p>\n

As somebody who has taken our dog to the beach many a time before, I\u2019ve seen it all. From irate dogs getting a little out of control, turtles and fish in their mouths and one or two pees up a lunch bag. The latter being the incident of our pooch. Aren\u2019t they little darlings?<\/p>\n

\"Dog<\/a>

Image: Lauren Bate<\/p><\/div>\n

First things first, taking a dog on a long journey is much like taking a small child out. For such a little animal going on a day trip, you\u2019d have thought we were heading away for a week.<\/p>\n

Packing for a Doggy Day Out<\/b><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll need to pack everything in advance for a trip to the beach. It\u2019s essential that you have everything within close vicinity and pack for all sorts of eventualities. That accessory you have never used? Chances are, you probably need it now.<\/p>\n

\"Taking<\/a>

Image: Lauren Bate<\/p><\/div>\n

    \n
  1. Beach Toys<\/b>
    \nIt\u2019s essential that you pack toys for your pooch to play with. We always take Rio, our cavalier’s, favourite teddy bear as a comforter and a few balls and floating toys. Just like children, dogs get bored very quickly. Rio isn\u2019t the biggest fan of the sea, but he loves playing fetch along the sand. Plenty of toys will keep your dog entertained. Check out our review\u00a0of 15     tough dog toys<\/a> – ideal for lots of fun at the beach!<\/li>\n
  2. Water<\/b>
    \nWater, water everywhere and not a drop to drink, that\u2019s what they say and it rings absolutely true for dog beaches. Most dog beaches you\u2019ll venture to won\u2019t actually have any facilities. From past experience, they are usually deserted coves with masses of open space. If you\u2019re really lucky, there might be a beach shack bar on site too. But, don\u2019t count on this! Take plenty of water with you! We pack a few bottles of water and freeze them before we go. This means Rio has access to plenty of cold water as it thaws. Don\u2019t forget their     water bowl<\/a> too!<\/li>\n
  3. ID Tags
    \n<\/b>We use     safepet.eu<\/b><\/a> to have the perfect ID tag made for Rio. Not only does it contain all of the essential data, it automatically translates it to the local language which is absolutely incredible for travelling. A simple but effective idea is to have a separate tag made for each trip. If you\u2019re planning to head to multiple cities or countries, you can have separate ID tags made with the local hotel added. If your dog beach is local, it\u2019s a good idea to have an extra one made with your home address on. The tags are waterproof too which makes them great for use in the sea. If you’ve been thinking about a GPS tracker for your dog<\/a>, then this might be the perfect excuse to get one!<\/li>\n
  4. Paperwork
    \n<\/b>Depending on where you\u2019re heading and for how long, you\u2019ll need some sort of paperwork. Whether this be their pet passport and vaccination papers to the local veterinary phone number and address and insurance documents.<\/li>\n
  5. First Aid
    \n<\/b>You never know when you might just need it. Dog beaches are usually in the middle of nowhere and can take a while to head to the nearest supermarket or pharmacy. It\u2019s generally good practice to carry around a few pieces of emergency first aid when heading somewhere out in the sticks. We usually take eye wash, for when he\u2019s digging his nose in the sand and some gets into his eyes, first aid tape and antibiotic lotion.<\/li>\n
  6. Cleaning up equipment
    \n<\/b>Keeping the dog beach clean is everybody\u2019s responsibility. Always ensure you have a selection of doggy bags to pick up any mess. On the other side of cleanliness, we also take Rio\u2019s dog towel to dry him off afterwards and old sheets to throw over the seats of the car.<\/li>\n
  7. Food and Treats
    \n<\/b>What more do we love than having a nibble whilst laying on the beach? Well, dogs are the same. They get the urge to have a nibble or two and nobody likes travelling with somebody who has a rumbly tummy. If we\u2019re heading out on a long trip, we regimentally stick to Rio\u2019s feeding schedule, but may give him more treats than usual. Usually, travelling somewhere new can make your dog feel nervous and on edge, so it\u2019s a good idea to stick to some sort of routine.<\/li>\n
  8. Shade
    \n<\/b>The summer sun is harsh. It can burn. It can make your dog lethargic and dehydrated. You should always ensure that there is somewhere for your dog to seek shade whilst on the beach, even if it doesn\u2019t feel too hot to you. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to head to the beach with your pooch, but ensure you research the area first as some places may be rife with flies at this time! If you are spending the entire day at the beach, it\u2019s essential to pack an umbrella so your dog can seek refuge in the shade.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It\u2019s quite an extensive list, isn\u2019t it? Rather naively, I never considered how much you might just need before taking Rio to the beach. It\u2019s hard enough packing for a beach trip for yourself, let alone when you add on the copious amounts of stuff we\u2019d be lumping along for Rio. When you\u2019re in the midst of packing, there\u2019s always something you\u2019re bound to forget which is why we now make lists. Checking everything off as we go along.<\/p>\n

    I had this impression that Rio would love the beach. I envisioned me running in the sea and him chasing after me splashing around in the sea. Well, turns out Rio is no water baby.<\/p>\n

    \"Rio<\/a>

    Image: Lauren Bate<\/p><\/div>\n

    You might find that like Rio your dog doesn\u2019t take to the water very quickly. On a puppy level, those waves look intimidating. Petrifying even. You\u2019ll need to be prepared for plenty of cuddles and encouragement. If you\u2019re lucky, another accustomed dog might come charging along into the water and encourage your pooch to play. If he\u2019s still nervous and shy, let your dog play along the sand, with each visit he\u2019ll get more and more comfortable and get closer to the edge. Rio is at the stage of standing on the shore and letting the waves crash against his feet now. Every time he makes progression.<\/p>\n

    After a long day at the beach, your pooch is sure to be exhausted. Normally, Rio curls up into his bed and takes a long snooze as soon as we\u2019re home. A trip to the beach can be fun and such an enriching experience, but remember to take precautions and pack the essentials!<\/p>\n

    Now you\u2019re equipped with what to take, we hope your dog has the best time at the beach and you make some unforgettable memories together. Don\u2019t forget your camera!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    A practical guide to taking your dog to the beach Article by Lauren Bate (diaryofaspanglishgirl.com) As the summer sun starts to appear, most of us will start\u00a0 thinking about packing a deckchair and having a relaxing trip to the beach. If you\u2019re a dog owner, like me, you\u2019re more than likely considering packing your towel […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1134,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[9,4,16],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n