Bringing your dog to the beach might seem like a great way to spend long summer days with your best friend. However, when it comes to dogs on the beach, it’s essential to consider safety factors such as wildlife, beach etiquette, and local regulations.
Many UK beaches allow dogs, but most have restrictions, such as requiring dogs to stay on a lead, only visit specific parts of the beach, or to keep off beaches at certain times of the year. Many council websites list which of their beaches are dog-friendly, along with necessary rules and restrictions to follow.
Before you plan a day of fun in the sun, you can do a quick internet search for “dog-friendly beach [your location]” to find the best spot and any restrictions around dogs on the beach.
Read on for tips on bringing your dog to the beach, including essential training cues, entertaining beach activities for dogs, and potential risks to keep in mind.
Beach Rules and Etiquette for Dogs
Here are three important guidelines for bringing dogs to the beach.
1. Follow your local lead regulations
The wide expanse of a sandy beach may seem like an ideal playground for dogs, but beaches are home to wildlife and busy with humans and other dogs.
That’s why you’ll want to keep your dog on their lead at the beach. In fact, many councils have Public Spaces Protection Orders requiring you to keep your dog on the lead, if not at all times, for certain parts of the day.
These laws may seem frustrating, especially if you know your dog will come when you call. But it’s important to follow the rules. Studies have found that failing to follow Public Spaces Protection Orders at beaches and parks can have adverse effects on both local wildlife and other visitors.
“Public Spaces Protection Orders and similar rules can help keep dogs managed and prevent injury or discomfort to others, including other dogs,” says Renee Rhoades, an animal behaviourist at R+Dogs.
2. Train up on essential cues and calls
Certain training cues play an important part in keeping your dog—and other beachgoers—safe and happy, Rhoades says.
- Leave it: “Other beachgoers might bring food and leave it behind—especially dangerous items like poultry, bones, wrappers, and foods that are toxic to dogs,” Rhoades says. Sharp shells, pieces of driftwood, or washed-up trash in the sand can also pose a risk to your dog’s safety. Teaching your dog “leave it” can help them steer clear of potential hazards.
- Come: Of course, you want your dog to have fun, but it’s essential to respect other beach visitors. If you decide to let your dog off-lead when allowed, it’s important they’re not bothering others and causing chaos, Rhoades says. She adds that a strong recall cue can also help your pup avoid dangerous situations, like swimming too far out.
- Settle: Want to grab 10 minutes’ peace with your book as you soak up some rays? Give your dog plenty of practice with a relaxation cue before heading to the beach, which will have plenty of distractions. A lot of practice can help your dog sit quietly with you, Rhoades says—as long as they’ve had a chance to exercise and explore!
3. Don’t treat beach time as exercise
To make sure your dog doesn’t pose a problem for other visitors or pups, avoid using the beach as a dog park. This means exercising your dog before you go instead of counting on them getting their energy out when you arrive.
Of course, you can certainly walk your dog on the shore and let them splash in the waves. These new activities and the change in environment might provide plenty of activity for some dogs.
That said, beaches have plenty of stimuli in the form of kids, toys, and other dogs. All the activity can easily distract dogs or even overwhelm them, but if they get enough exercise beforehand, they’ll have an easier time relaxing with you.
What Activities Can Dogs Do at the Beach?
Wondering about the best way to enjoy the beach with your dog? Try these activities!
A stroll in the sand
A beach stroll can be an excellent way to expose your dog to new scents and sights, which can provide both mental and physical enrichment, Rhoades says. She suggests using a longer lead, if the beach allows it, so your dog has more freedom to explore.
Just take care to keep an eye on your dog if they wander a bit farther away, and prepare to use “leave it” or “come” if your dog gets a little too curious about things they find on the beach!
Water fetch
Many dogs will enjoy an extra splash in their playtime with fetch or Frisbee in the waves. Aside from introducing an extra element of fun, this can be a very stimulating physical activity for dogs, Rhoades says.
Just pay attention to possible hazards with this type of playtime, she cautions, like overconsumption of seawater and sand and physical injury from overexercising.
Swimming
As moving in the water is generally gentler on a dog’s joints, Rhoades says swimming can be a great beach activity, especially after time spent running on harder sand. Breeds like Retrievers, Spaniels, and Newfoundlands are particular water fans.
Just don’t let them dive too deep! Paddling in shallower water is safest, even for strong swimmers. A dog life jacket is an essential safety measure. Even the best swimmers can have trouble if the current suddenly changes or they start to get tired.
Not all dogs will enjoy swimming, though, so don’t worry if your dog doesn’t want to get wet. Short-legged breeds may have a harder time paddling, while brachycephalic dogs may have a trickier time keeping their shorter snouts above water.
Paddleboarding or surfing
You may have seen a few internet videos of dogs perched on a surfboard, tongues out as they ride the waves. Some energetic dogs may have a splash bouncing along the waves, but not all dogs will enjoy paddleboarding or surfing.
Paddleboarding and surfboarding can also pose risks for dogs due to ocean currents, waves, and wind conditions, says Dr. Nell Ostermeier, veterinary advisor at Figo Pet Insurance.
If you do want to try paddleboarding with your pup, opt for spaces that offer calmer conditions. For instance, Dr. Ostermeier suggests paddleboarding on a lake or in a secure ocean bay with little wind and small waves.
It’s also wise to try your dog out in the water before you take them paddleboarding, so you know how they’ll cope if they fall in. And of course, don’t forget the life vest!
Digging
Beach digging can be another safe activity for activity for dogs on the beach, Dr. Ostermeier says. The urge to dig is a natural instinct, so digging will provide both enrichment and entertainment.
Just make sure the sand isn’t so hot that it might burn your dog’s paws. Dr. Ostermeier also says that too much digging can cause paw abrasions, so you’ll want to limit the amount of time your dog spends tunnelling in the sand.
Beach Risks and Dangers for Dogs
The beach environment generally poses several potential risks for dogs. It’s especially important to keep these hazards in mind if you plan to let your dog play on the beach.
Knowing the possible dangers for dogs on the beach can help you plan ahead to keep your pup safe!
Water risks
A few important water risks for dogs at the beach include:
- Hazardous conditions: “Being aware of ocean conditions is an important part of keeping your dog safe if you think they may enter the water,” Dr Ostermeier explains. “Most public beaches use flags to describe the conditions—usually green, yellow, and red—with green representing mild conditions and red, severe.” Always check conditions with the lifeguard on duty if you’re unsure.
- Salt toxicity: Swallowing too much ocean water can cause salt toxicosis, a serious medical condition that requires emergency treatment. If your dog drinks ocean water, be aware of symptoms such as vomiting and seizures.
- Parasites: You’ll also want to keep your dog from drinking dirty or stagnant water, like that in rock pools. This water is more likely to carry pathogens like Giardia, Dr. Ostermeier explains, so you shouldn’t allow your dog to play in these areas on the beach.
- Swimmer’s tail: It’s possible for dogs to have too much of a good time in the water, too! Dogs can develop a condition called swimmer’s tail due to overuse, according to Dr. Ostermeier, who adds that this condition usually doesn’t become painful until the next day. Limiting the time your dog spends swimming, especially if they’re new to the water, can help.
Heat
Too much time in the sunshine and humidity can lead to heatstroke and sunburn for dogs and people both!
Ways to help your dog beat the heat on the beach:
- Bring plenty of fresh water to prevent dehydration.
- Make sure they have a shady area to sit in so they can stay cool.
- Limit time in direct sunlight and apply sunscreen, Dr. Ostermeier recommends, especially for dogs with short coats, light skin, or exposed areas of skin.
- Pay attention to signs of overheating, like lethargy, excessive panting, vomiting, diarrhoea, disorientation, and collapse, Dr Ostermeier says.
- Stick to cooler parts of the beach or use booties to prevent pad burn caused by hot sand and rocks, Dr. Ostermeier recommends.
If you notice any signs of overheating or burned paw pads—like pain and blisters—move your dog to an air-conditioned car or space and seek veterinary care right away.
Eating sand or trash
Most dogs won’t eat sand on purpose, Dr. Ostermeier says. If your dog does eat any, it will probably be by accident, not because they find it tasty.
That said, it’s important to watch what your dog eats on the beach, just as you would anywhere else! Eating a lot of sand can lead to sand impaction, a life-threatening condition where sand collects in your dog’s intestine and causes a blockage.
Keep in mind, too, that beaches often have plenty of food trash left behind from other people’s picnics. Keeping your dog on a lead will prevent them from finding leftover food and other things they shouldn’t eat.
Dogs off the lead or reactive dogs
When you bring your dog to the beach, you’ll also want to consider the other dogs in the area. Not all dogs like other dogs or want to engage with them, Rhoades says. Your dog may be perfectly friendly, but they might encounter other dogs who are off-lead or reactive.
Keeping your dog on a lead is the best way to avoid stressful or dangerous interactions with other dogs, Dr. Ostermeier says. “If you allow your dog off lead to play, you’ll need to keep a close eye on them.”
Takeaway
The beach can offer an enjoyable day out for many dogs, as long as you make some considerations or thoughtful setups before you go, Rhoades says.
This means being aware of potential risks, familiarising yourself with beach-specific restrictions for dogs, and packing essentials such as water and sunscreen.
Remember, too, that not all dogs will enjoy the beach. If your dog has anxiety, doesn’t do well in crowds, or dislikes other dogs, you may want to leave them at home, perhaps with a friend or dog sitter!
