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DOG BEACH BOUND
What to know before you go
San Diego County is home to four beautiful beaches where your dog is welcome to romp, play, and splash off-leash with you and other like-minded dogs. Before you grab the closest leash and head for the car, take care of these things first, so you go prepared.
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1. SHOTS AND TAGS Since your pet will be mingling with other canines, adults, and children, be sure all vaccinations are up to date. Also check your dog’s license to be sure it is current and that a license tag is securely connected to the collar.
2. SOCIABILITY AND OBEDIENCE Does your dog get nervous or hostile around other dogs? Wait until you have mastered some basic commands and then plan on keeping your dog on-leash in the quietest part of the beach. Even if your dog is the life of the party, it helps to practice the basic commands (come, sit, stay, and leave it) before you head for the beach. “It’s always important to know your animal and when it’s safe to let them off leash and interact with other dogs,” says Cody Decker, who owns Decker’s Dog + Cat with his wife Kensey in La Jolla and Bay Park.
