10 Tips For Taking A Dog To The Beach For The First Time

Taking your dog to the beach for the first time is a really fun experience for the whole family! It is bound to be a really enjoyable experience for your dog as it is such as unique environment that both you are your dog can have fun at alike. That being said there are quite a few tips that dog owners need to know when taking their dog to the beach for the first time.

Before taking a dog to the beach for the first time you need to double check that the beach is dog friendly and specifically the hours it is open to dogs. Your first trip should be short to get your dog used to the new environment and then you can slowly build up the length. To prepare the car, put a dog car seat hammock to protect your seats from the sandy and wet car ride home. As for dog gear, bring a collapsible travel bowl, dog towel, grooming wipes, a portable shower, a dog life jacket and some floating beach toys.

Continue reading for more tips for taking a dog to the beach for the first time…

Table of Contents

1. Double Check That The Beach Is Dog Friendly

Unfortunately not all beaches are welcome dogs and are solely for human enjoyment instead. Before going to the beach do a quick search online to check the rules and regulations surroundings dogs at that beach. Some dog beaches are dog friendly 24/7 while others are dog friendly at certain hours at the day e.g. early morning and evenings. Other beaches are only dog friendly in sections e.g. half the beach is dog friendly and the other half is not. You can also find this type of information on your local council website.

The Different Types Of Dog Beaches

24/7 Dog Beach
Restricted Hours Dog Beach (These beaches are generally dog friendly in mornings/evenings)
Restricted Area Dog Beach (Areas on the beach are allocated as dog friendly, other parts are not dog friendly)

2. Put A Car Seat Cover/Dog Hammock In Your Car Before Leaving

Trust me on this one. You definitely don’t want wet dog stains and grains of sand all over your car interior from the trip home with your dog sitting on the back seat! The easy solution is to put a dog car seat cover AKA a dog car hammock over the back seat of your car. It’s a really great product for travelling with your dog in the car at anytime whether or not you are going to the beach as it also prevents shedded fur and scratches in your car and simultaneously acts as a safety barrier for your dog in the car.

The Kurgo Dog Hammock Car Seat Cover Is Highly Rated On Amazon…

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Other Good Quality Dog Car Hammocks

3. Go For A Short Trip The First Time

brown short coated dog on beach during daytime

As this will be your dog’s first time at the beach, you will have no idea how he/she will react to it. Some dogs love the sand and the water while others hate it! That is why it is a good idea to plan your first trip as a short trip of around half an hour. In this way your dog can get a good feel of the beach and you will be able to figure out if it is the right outdoor location for him/her.

4. Bring A Collapsible Travel Bowl/Dog Water Bottle

Drinking salt water is a big no no for dogs. You might not realise it at first but spending the same amount of time at a beach as a park is much more tiring to a dog and will result in more water breaks needed for rehydration. This is because at the beach your dog will be walking and running on uneven sand and swimming in water which burns a lot more energy than just running on a flat grassed surface at a park.

Also while you are at the beach there will not be as many dog water stations (communal dog water bowls) available compared to a park. It’s better to bring your own travel bowl in this situation.

This Is A Good Quality Collapsible Travel Bowl…

Frisco Silicone Collapsible Travel Bowl with Carabiner, 1.5 Cups, slide 1 of 6

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5. Provide Cool, Shady Spot For Your Dog & Yourself

The beach is very hot and just like humans dogs can suffer from heat stroke and sun burn. Luckily there are many ways you can provide a cool, shady place for your dog to relax in.

Some Ideas To Help Keep Your Dog Cool On The Beach

Set up a sun tent
Bring a sun umbrella
Use a dog cooling mat
Put a cooling bandana on your dog

6. Beware Of Hot Sand

Hot sand can burn dog’s paws. Try to plan your beach trip in the morning or afternoon when the sun isn’t so hot to avoid this type of injury.

A way to test if the sand is too hot for your dog, is to touch it with the back of your hand. If it is too hot for you to stand, then the sand is way too hot for your dog to walk on. Avoid these areas of the beach and try to walk on the cooler, wet sand.

Alternatively your dog could wear some dog swimming booties while walking on the sand to prevent burn injures and also stings and cuts from other things on the beach.

7. Stay Away From Dangerous Water

golden retriever lying on ground during daytime

Swimming with a dog at the beach unfortunately comes with it’s dangers. At the beach boats, surfboards, jet skis and other recreational boating devices can pose a danger to a dog. Moreover, invisible dangers such as rip tides, strong currents, rough water and large waves can pose a risk. Under the water there can be sharp objects such as driftwood, oyster shells and rocks.

Before swimming with your dog at the beach be aware of your surroundings and carefully pick where you will go into the water. Remember that calm water doesn’t always mean safe water.

Consider A Dog Life Jacket To Keep Your Dog Safe In The Water

Whether your dog is a novice swimmer as very experienced a dog life jacket is a really good idea to make the experience as safe as possible. It can be used at the beach while swimming or as a safety floatation device for dogs who like to go kayaking, boating, paddle boarding or rafting with their owners. A dog life jacket will make it easier for your dog to swim, help keep his/her head above the water and also slow down tiring.

Best Dog Life Jacket: Ruffwear Float Coat™

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8. Remember Your Dog Poop Bags

I don’t think there is anything worse than stepping in sandy dog poop on the beach. It’s also harmful for marine life and causes water and soil contamination. Be a responsible dog owner and pick up after your dog. This means firstly remembering pack your dog poop bags.

Pro Tip: If you often forget to carry dog poop bags with you, leave a roll of them in the glove box of your car!

9. Bring Floating Dog Toys

There are a variety of fun, floating dog toys available that are fantastic for the going to the beach with your dog. If it is your first time taking your dog to the beach, you need to make it a super fun time! You can easily do this by bringing some fun dog beach toys!

The Best Dog Floating Toys For The Beach

10. Don’t Forget The Clean Up Gear

Once the first trip to the beach with your dog comes to an end, you are going to need to clean up your dog before letting him/her back into the car. I highly recommend that you read my full article on how to clean your dog after a day at the beach however these are some essentials that you will need in a short list: