Canines hit the beach

By Rebecca Sloan

Vacation spots for people and their pets prove popular

Dog beaches, although open for both owner and pet, have strict guidelines to follow.

Imagine for a moment that you’re a dog.

Now imagine that your owner takes you to a sun-drenched paradise where you can play in the waves, dig holes in the sand and frolic with fellow canines.

No, you didn’t die and go to doggy heaven. You’re spending the afternoon at a dog beach!

Dog beaches – shorelines designated especially for people and their beloved pooches – are becoming more and more popular.

“Beaches specifically for dogs as well as off-leash dog parks are a growing trend in the United States,” said Len Kain, co-founder of DogFriendly.com, a California company and web site devoted to finding places dogs and people can enjoy together. “[The trend has grown] as we recognize that dogs need to have places to run around and socialize, and that pet owners need beaches to take their pets to.”

Kain said the growing number of dog beaches is also a result of canines being unwelcome at regular beaches.

“Dogs are not allowed on as many regular beaches as they used to be,” Kain said. “There are a number of reasons for this. In some cases, beachgoers expect dog owners to use only the area that has been made into a dog beach. Other beaches ban dogs throughout the year or seasonally due to the presence of endangered species of birds. Also, beaches get more crowded year after year.”

Perhaps the top reason, however, that dogs are unwelcome at regular beaches is bad etiquette practiced by their owners.

Certain rules do apply when taking Fido to play in the waves.

So before you head for the sand and surf, keep these tips in mind:

UBring your pooper scooper: First and foremost, always, always clean up after you’re dog! Bring a poop scoop and a plastic bag. At many beaches, dog owners can be fined for leaving their pet’s droppings on the sand. Kain said one way to avoid having to clean up after your pet is to encourage your dog to go potty before arriving at the beach.

ULeashes please: Some beaches permit dogs to roam free, but most require dogs to be on a leash no more than six feet long. If the beach you’re visiting has a leash law, make sure to obey. If the beach allows dogs to roam free, don’t let your pet off the leash unless it will come to you when called. And if your dog is hyper and prone to plowing into people like Marmaduke, don’t let him off his leash even if the beach has no leash law.

URespect your neighbor’s boundaries: Never assume that another person, child or dog wants to socialize with your dog unless invited. Many times dog owners think that everyone on the beach loves their pooch as much as they do. This is sometimes true, but not always.

UDon’t soak your neighbor: When it’s time for your dog to shake the water from its dripping coat, make sure he is a sufficient distance from other beachgoers. Nobody appreciates getting pelted with a spray of dirty dog water.

UPlay nice or stay home: Finally, if you own a truly aggressive dog, leave him at home.

Besides proper etiquette, special consideration must also be given to your pup’s health and safety when spending time at the beach.

“Dogs cannot handle heat nearly as well as people,” Kain said. “They have long hair – imagine wearing a winter coat on the beach – and they sweat only through their tongues and not their skin.”

For this reason, provide shade for your dog. Bring a beach umbrella or spread your blanket in a shady spot under some trees.

Also have plenty of drinking water available for your pet.

“Don’t assume the dog can drink the water at the beach,” Kain said. “Dogs can’t drink salt water – they’ll slurp it and be surprised it is not what they expected – and some fresh water beaches can have various bacteria in the water. Provide bottled water when possible.”

There are also potential dangers at both salt and fresh water beaches.

Strong undertow, sharks and jellyfish pose obvious threats at the ocean, although Kain said most dogs don’t venture far enough into the surf for undertow or sharks to be a problem.

At both salt and fresh water beaches, broken glass and other sharp objects such as lost fishing hooks can cause harm to your pet’s paws, so pay close attention to the terrain.

Also keep in mind that canines enjoy the beach even when it’s cold outside.

“Dogs love the beach in winter, and you don’t have to worry about them getting overheated,” Kain said.

“Also, in the off-season it is easy to find beaches that are not too crowded.”

So where should you take your dog to the beach?

Coastal states such as Florida and California have numerous beaches reserved especially for people and their pooches, but you needn’t venture that far from home to find a dog-friendly shoreline.

The trend has caught on here in Ohio and Pennsylvania, too, and both Geneva-on-the-Lake and Presque Isle State Park in Erie have beaches that allow dogs.

The Geneva State Park Campground at 4499 Padanarum Road permits dogs on the beach outside of the designated swim area.

Keep your dog on a leash and bring your poop scoop.

At Presque Isle State Park in Erie, the most visited state park in Pennsylvania, your dog can frolic on unguarded beaches, especially at the northern end of the peninsula.

Dogs must be on a six-foot-leash.

Leashed dogs can venture into the water, but people can only wade in up to their knees in areas without lifeguards.

Dogs are also permitted on the Presque Isle’s hiking trails.

For more dog-friendly beaches in Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as throughout America, visit DogFriendly.com.