With the hot summer sun, sometimes it’s hard to keep cool and also get in some good exercise — and that goes for us and our dogs! Since we got Archer, I make every effort to enjoy the outdoors in ways that I can bring her along. It’s the reason why we frequent so many trails and enjoy hiking so much. In the summer, sometimes we’re chased out of our usual trails because of mosquitoes, so our options become more limited.
Credit: Sleeping Out
Having access to a dog-friendly beach is awesome! In our city, there’s a bylaw that prohibits dogs from being in the water at public beaches (ugh, don’t even get me started on that one!) so instead, we visit a private beach. Er.. “private” with quotation marks. The beach is owned by the local university, relatively small (compared to public beaches in the city), and requires a short trail walk to get to. It’s actually pretty perfect, and it was my beach of choice even before we got Archer. It’s less crowded, yet still has lifeguards on staff. There are rocks to jump from just a short swim from the main beach, and there’s a nice little patch of beach that everyone has pretty much agreed is for dogs to use while not getting in the way of other swimmers. It’s awesome.
Dog-friendly beaches are great because it incorporates keeping cool with play. There are always other dogs around to run and chase sticks with, and one brave swimmer can lead an entire pack into the water to enjoy a good swim. As long as your dog is well socialized, and you introduce your dog to the other dogs and their owners (always ask if their dogs are friendly! And see how they react with one another!) your dog should have a great time interacting with other dogs, getting cooled off in the water, and getting a good dose of exercise in too!
Know the Law
Just because everyone uses the beach for their dogs, doesn’t mean it’s allowed. Know the laws of your city, and the rules at that specific beach. If there are leash laws, bring a long leash to allow your dog to still run in the water while being safely on leash. And always bring poop bags! You don’t want to be that guy who doesn’t pick up after his pup!
If your dog is reactive, don’t bring them to a busy beach. If you see another dog is getting reactive or aggressive with other dogs, say something! Don’t be rude, but point out that maybe that dog should be removed from the group for a bit to calm down or suggest perhaps a less-crowded spot be better for him to enjoy the water. Some people are aware of their dogs shortcomings and are trying to correct them with positive reinforcement. Don’t discourage them, but offer help with a few friendly suggestions.
Safe Water
Credit: Torus
Be sure the water is calm and not overly turbulent with waves and wind. Likewise, the water itself should be safe to swim in. Your local health department should offer updates on which lakes are safe to swim in throughout the summer. In our area, we have issues blue green algae blooms that pop up from time to time at various lakes, so we like to keep updated with which beaches are safe to swim in — for us and our dog!
Collar and ID Tags
Always! If your dog is permitted to play offleash, then make sure he has his collar on with the proper tags.
Recall
You’ll also want to be careful that your dog has good recall if he’s off-leash, just in case he sees something interesting and gives chase. If its a mixed beach with people and dogs, be sure he won’t be distracted or fearful of children.
Some Dogs Swim, Some Won’t Swim, and Some Dogs Can’t Swim
Credit: Play Buzz
Archer falls in the category of “won’t swim”. She’s perfectly happy running in 12 inches of water along the shore, but she typically puts on the breaks when she gets to her belly. It’s not for a fear of the water, or an inability to swim — she just doesn’t prefer it. She lets the other dogs swim out for the sticks, and then gives chase once they hit the shore. It’s her thing.
Some other breeds simply can’t swim, however. These dogs (typically the more stout breeds, like pugs, bulldogs, etc.) are perfectly fine to run along the shoreline, but if you want to play it safe and give them more freedom in the water, you can always try them out with a doggy lifejacket. Keep in mind, a busy day at a crowded beach probably isn’t the time to test out a lifejacket. You’ll want your dog to get used to the feeling of having it on their body, and again with the feeling of keeping afloat with it. A kiddie pool in the back yard may serve best for testing out a new lifejacket on your pup!
Provide Toys
Sometimes a stick is all you need, and sometimes you need a special toy to really get your pup excited! Be sure the toy is easy to wash and will float though, you don’t want your pup trying to dive into the water to get the toy from the bottom!
Beware of Dangers
Whether it’s sharp rocks, shells, or broken glass, you’ll want to have a look at the area before letting your dog loose. Similarly, you’ll want to beware of what animals could pose a threat to your dog. In our area, we have to be more vigilant of black bears coming out of the woods than anything in the water, but there are also water snakes and snapping turtles to keep an eye out for. If it’s a well-used beach, you typically won’t have a problem with other dangerous animals, but you’ll want to be careful either way.
Provide Cover
Credit: Lov A Dog
Spending so much time in the sun, even when in the water, can still be draining and can lead to sun stroke — which happens to dogs, just as it does with people. Be careful about how much time you allow your dog to spend out in the sun and water, and be ready to call him back for a break every now and again. Bring a beach umbrella or find some shade for a rest before you head back out for the second (or third!) round of play.
Provide Water
If you’re swimming in the ocean, remember to bring fresh water for your pup! Likewise, some dogs may not be comfortable in drinking lake water (and in some cases it may not be safe to drink), so it’s a good idea to remember to bring a some water for your pup.
Don’t Overdo it!
Although swimming is a low-resistance form of exercise, it is still a form of exercise. Keep an eye on your pup for fatigue, and call it a day before he gets overexerted. Remember there are a lot of factors that come into play, with running, swimming, the sun, and other dogs that will lead to a very excitable and draining day. Your pup will sleep well afterward, to be sure!
Rinse Thoroughly
Credit: Dog The Fun Times Guide
Whether its salt water or lake water, you’ll want to give your pup a quick rinse once you get home. No need for shampoo, but you’ll want to rinse away all the salt, sand, and whatever else they picked up in the day. Oh, and their paws will be filled with sand. Because of course.
BY : IVANA