5 Tips for a Trip on the Beach with your Dog

Summer is approaching and a dog tracker device like Kippy lets you enjoy the season without worrying about loosing your dog on the beach. Some dog owners ask themselves which expedients they should adopt when they take their four-legged friends with them to the seaside. Here’s some tips for you!

1. Is the beach dog friendly? Know the laws!

Not all beaches are dog friendly. Some beaches are dog friendly anytime outside of the main tourist season. During the tourist season, there are limited hours and some places like the boardwalk are totally off limits. Always look up the laws of the city so that you don’t end up with a ticket! We never recommend walking a dog without a leash, but some people like to let their dogs run free when on the beach. Be sure to observe the leash laws of the dog friendly beach you’re visiting.

2. Beware of scorching hot sand!

The dog friendly beaches have limited hours in the summer/tourist season due to the amount of tourists but also because of the extreme heat. The hot sun in the middle of the day in July could severely burn your dog’s paws. Always test the sand first by taking off your flip flops. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your furry friend! Another tip to prevent burnt paws is to walk closer to the shoreline where the sand is cooler due to the water.
If you’re making a day trip out of it, be sure to bring an umbrella or a portable crate where your dog can get some shade.

3. What to bring to a dog friendly beach

• Poop bags: please, clean up after your dogs! Nothing irritates us more than pet parents that don’t do this!
• Wipes: to clean up your dog’s face and paws after a day in the sand. Sand can get under your dog’s nail bed and cause irritation so be sure to wipe them thoroughly! 
• Fresh water: bring a bottle for drinking and one for rinsing any excess sand or salt off of your dog. 
• Collapsible bowl 
• Towel or blanket : use this to sit on and to help shake off any sand or to dry off your dog after a swim. 
• A dog GPS like Kippy to always know where your pet is!

4. To swim or not to swim?

Some dogs are terrified of the water. When walking along the shore, they make sure to stay out of the way when the waves come in. You’ll never have to worry about your dog running out into the water on his own. Will you let your dog swim? If so, make sure your dog knows how to swim. If the red flags are out, stay out of the water! It means that the rip currents are too dangerous for anyone to be in the water. I definitely recommend a doggie life vest if swimming in the ocean is part of your beach day. And a GPS for dogs, if he or she has the habit of wandering too far.
Do not let your dog drink the salt water! It’s dangerous!

5. Watch out for hidden dangers in the sand

The sand feels amazing between your toes paws, but there can also be hidden dangers. Be sure to look out for sharp seashells, rocks, fishing hooks, and jellyfish! Always look your dog over after a trip to the beach.