• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Animal Behavior College

Animal Behavior College

Where Animal Lovers Pursue Animal Careers

Feefo logo
Live chat
Live chat
800-795-3294
  • Alumni Login
    • Dog Obedience Program Alumni
    • Cat Training Program Alumni
    • Grooming Instruction Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program Alumni
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program Alumni
    • Service Dog Trainer Alumni
  • Student Login
    • Cat Training Program
    • Dog Obedience Program
    • Grooming Instruction Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program
    • Service Dog Trainer
MENUMENU
  • Programs
    • Dog Obedience Instructor
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
      • Certification
      • Success Stories
      • Students Saving Lives
      • Find A Dog Trainer
    • Veterinary Assistant
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
      • Success Stories
    • Grooming Instruction Program
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
      • Success Stories
      • Find A Pet Groomer
    • On Campus Dog Trainer Program
      • Traditional Classroom Environment in Los Angeles California
      • Enroll Using Your Military Benefits
    • Continuing Education
      • Short Term Programs
    • Cat Management and Training
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Find A Cat Trainer
    • Aquarium Maintenance (online)
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Salary Information
      • What Is an Aquarist?
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Service Dog Trainer Program
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Career
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Education & Experience Requirements
  • Military Benefits
  • GI Bill® Benefits
  • Locations
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Animal Career Resources
  • About ABC
        • About Animal Behavior College
        • Our Expert Faculty
        • Press, News & Info
        • Press Releases
        • BPPE Disclosures
        • Animal Behavior College FAQ
        • Contact Us
        • Why ABC?
        • Students Saving Lives
        • Licensure, Ratings & Approvals
        • Sponsors & Associates
        • Gift Certificates
  • Blog
  • Affiliates
  • Alumni Login
    • Dog Obedience Program Alumni
    • Cat Training Program Alumni
    • Grooming Instruction Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program Alumni
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program Alumni
    • Service Dog Trainer Alumni
  • Student Login
    • Cat Training Program
    • Dog Obedience Program
    • Grooming Instruction Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program
    • Service Dog Trainer Program
Home » Lifestyle » Dog Beach Etiquette

Dog Beach Etiquette

The do’s and don’ts of playing in the sand and water.

There is no better feeling than an ocean breeze in your hair and the salt water from the Pacific Ocean lapping at your toes. It’s the perfect way to cool off on these increasingly hot summer days.

Dogs love the beach as much as their human companions, but unfortunately, irresponsible owners have found their dogs banned from thousands of beaches around the country. It only takes one irresponsible owner to ruin a beach experience for everyone. For the few remaining dog-friendly beaches around the states, I present my official guide to dog beach etiquette.

Leashes

Dog at Beach
Before heading to the beach, check to see if your dog needs to be on leash. Photo credit: alenkasm/iStock

The top reason for banning dogs from beaches is a disregard for local leash laws. Violation of the leash law is a hot topic and park officials can be very sensitive about this issue. Keep your dog on a leash, particularly if a leash law is in place.

Know Thy Dog

Not all dogs are comfortable around vast expanses of water and not all breeds are swimmers. For a list of dogs that are just naturally terrible swimmers, check here.

Pick Up

We have to work together to keep our beaches pristine. So far, the human race has done a lousy job of this, so it’s up to pet owners to take the lead. Take extra doggy bags to the beach with you and offer them to unprepared dog owners. If you see a mess, pick it up.

Keep Your Pet’s Paws to Yourself

Even the most devout animal lover can become angry at unwelcome water spray as they lie in the sun. Keep your pets away from other people. This means you can’t let your dog explore, root through lunches, eat suntan lotion or seek out shade in another’s cabana.

Leave Wildlife Alone

Dogs Playing
Being able to keep your dog under control will make everyone’s day at the beach better. Photo credit: barsik/iStock

Respect wildlife and teach your pets to respect it as well. Your dog shouldn’t chase after seagulls, harass seals or illegally fish for fun.

Basic Training

Stay home until you can seriously say you have at least modest control over your dog. At the minimum, your dog should know five basic commands: sit, stay, come, drop and leave it. If your dog can’t do these things on command, stay home until he can.

Be Prepared

You should have a doggy beach bag with you when you hit the beach. Some ideas for what to keep in said bag:

  • Water: Fresh, clean water should be available at all times – no matter where you’re partying.
  • Bowls: Don’t get there and have no way of providing fresh water. Thousands of dogs die each year due to unprepared owners.
  • Food: Your dog is going to burn off a lot more calories running the beach than they will at home taking a nap. Be sure you have some extra treats and food with you so your dog.
  • Paw protection: Sand gets hot and if it’s too warm for you to walk on it, rest assured it’s too hot for your pets’ paws. Bring along a set of dog boots. (As a bonus, it often makes for great entertainment as your dog learns to walk in them).
  • Towel: In the “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” Ford Prefect said, “A towel … is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.” I find that as a dog owner, this is a true statement. There are many ways to use a towel, from wiping off sand and water, to providing shade, to offering a cool place to sleep. Bring a towel.
  • Shade: Don’t force your dog to sleep in the hot sun while you lounge in the cabana. Dogs need shade. There are several great ways to do this from pup tents to easily setup beds.

Be Safe

Dog Playing
Riptides and undertows can catch dogs unaware. Help keep you water-loving canine safe with a flotation vest. Photo credit: ginastancel/iStock

Keep your pets safe in the water. Here are some things you should keep on your pet; you never know when he might get caught up in a riptide.

  • Waterproof GPS tracker
  • Personal flotation device (PFD) is a must-have.
  • Beacon: There are small flashing beacons that available nearly anywhere that hook to your dog’s collar. This can help if you find yourself at a bonfire while your dog decides to sneak off to the ocean.

Be Considerate

Dog Beach
By taking a few simple precautions, your dog and and you can have a fabulous day at the beach. Photo credit: peterkirilov/iStock

Not everyone likes dogs and some people are even fearful of dogs. I know it’s hard to read that statement, but it doesn’t change the truth. You should always be respectful of other people. Don’t let your dog run up on others without an invitation.

Have Fun

It’s easy to get caught up in the rules, but with commonsense and courtesy, as well as a little preparation, you and your dogs can have a great day at the beach.

Remember, we hold the safety of our dog-friendly beaches in our paws. It’s up to responsible pet owners to set the example. At one point, California had 3,000 miles of beaches where dogs were allowed, and now there are fewer than 50 pet-friendly beaches. We can take the beaches back but only by being respectful, courteous and responsible dog owners.


About the Author: Stacy Mantle is the founder of PetsWeekly.com and the bestselling author of “Shepherd’s Moon.” Learn more great tips for living with animals by visiting PetsWeekly.com or get to know a little more about the author at www.StacyMantle.com.

Primary Sidebar

Tags

educationhumane societystay dog training commandteach dog staytrain a dog to stayteach your dog to roll overtraining a dog to roll overtraveling with petsbenefits of rawhiderawhide bonesaspcadog jumpingtrain your dog to cometrain dog to jumphow to teach your dog to speaktraining dog to speakeasy dog trickshow to train a dog to play deadteach a dog to play deadtraining dog to play deadlick faceshake pawdog flash mobhow to teach a dog to stayteach dog to come when calledrequirementsanimal hospital jobsbest dog trainerchoose a dog trainerdog trainer ratesfind a dog trainerhow to find a dog trainerkeeperkennel attendantsvet assistant programvet assistant schoolveterinary care jobshow to get a job at a veterinary hospitalhow to teach a dog to comework in veterinary hospitalhow much do vet assistants makedog training toyskong dog toyhow to train your dog to sitteach your dog to sittrain dog to sittrain your dog to sitcome when calledhow do you train a dog to come when called every timedoggy dance
  • Main
    • Locations
    • Affiliates
    • Find A Dog Trainer
    • Find A Pet Groomer
    • Find a Cat Trainer
    • Post a Job
    • Evolution of ABC
  • Dog Trainer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Dog Groomer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Cat Trainer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Aquarium Maintenance Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Zookeeper Assistant Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Service Dog Trainer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Education & Experience Requirements

Footer

Apex Career School - A subsidiary of Animal Behavior College


Interested in a career outside of the animal industry?
Visit our subsidiary school!

bbb logo

Rating A+ The BBB only accredits the business management of a school, not the quality of the curriculum, or training programs.

STATE LICENSURE AND APPROVAL
Animal Behavior College is a private vocational school approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (www.bppe.ca.gov) under the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 and Title 5. California Code of Regulations Division 7.5. Private Postsecondary Education. The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education approval means that this institution and its operation comply with the standards established under the law for occupational instruction by private postsecondary educational institutions. Institutional approval is subject to continual review and the institution must reapply for approval every five years.
DISCLAIMER
Please be advised that Animal Behavior College ("ABC") is the exclusive entity authorized to provide certifications and/or degrees from Animal Behavior College. Moreover, such certifications and/or degrees are only conferred by ABC following a student's completion of an ABC-administered program. No other entity or individual has authority to confer certifications and/or degrees on ABC's behalf. Any other entity or individual who attempts to do so is acting without express or implied authority from ABC.
GI BILL® TRADEMARK ATTRIBUTION
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Click here to view Animal Behavior College’s Annual Reports
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
Animal Behavior College, 27509 Avenue Hopkins, First Floor, Valencia CA 91355-3910 Contact Us
© 2000 - 2023 Animal Behavior College. Questions? email@animalbehaviorcollege.com
loading

Please wait while you are redirected to the right page...

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location