Beach Etiquettefor Dogs!

I love the beach as much as most pups but knowing how to act at our local beaches is very important. Every beach in the Lowcountry has different rules when it comes to dogs, so check out the beach rules before you visit, especially about off-leash and times allowed. Many beaches DO NOT allow for off-leash play and have certain times dogs are allowed during the summer months. Fines can be expensive, so know the rules before you head out.

To help you judge whether your pet is ready for an off-leash dog beach, here is some info from Lauren Novack, dog trainer and owner of Lauren’s Leash, for guidance. Check out her tips so you can be sure your that both you and your fur baby enjoy all that a dog beach has to offer.

The first—and most important—question to ask is whether your dog is comfortable with other dogs, especially in social and busy environments.

“Not every dog is a social butterfly—and putting yours in a situation with lots of unknown animals can cause issues,” Novack says.

If your pup is shy or nervous around strange dogs, a dog beach or dog park is not a good place for socialization, she adds. Instead, a reticent dog would benefit more from guided, one-on-one interactions with carefully selected, temperamentally sound dogs. “Don’t be the person who brings a nervous, under-socialized or aggressive dog to a crowded, off-leash dog beach, because it’s just not fun for your pet or for others.”

One of the most important things to remember when going to a dog beach is that part of being a responsible dog owner means picking up after your dog. You should always have a full supply of poop bags on you, so that you can be sure that you don’t leave any messes behind.

Dogs live to sniff everything they can—and dog beaches are no exception.

“There are many new critters and smells in these spots, including dead fish, shells and horseshoe crabs that will delight the canine senses,” Novack says.

Your dog may want to pick up, chew or roll in these new “treasures,” so a visit to the dogfriendly beach is an excellent opportunity to practice “drop it” or “leave it.” ■