Reading today's Leerburg newsletter reminded me that I've wanted to post this question for a couple of weeks.

I'll be taking my dog to the ocean for the first time next month. Looking for tips to keep him safe and healthy while there. I'm particularly worried about too much sun exposure and sand burns on his paws. I've read that I should put sunscreen on his nose (Black Lab). Agree, disagree? What kind would you use, and how does one keep it on the dog rather than IN the dog?

Any great beach tips for dogs from readers of this forum?

Thanks!

No experience with sunscreen, so I can't help you there.

When I took my pack to the beach last year, the two issues we encountered were: drinking sea water and then vomiting it up (a habit of which we could never break one dog), and another dog contracted a urinary tract infection, presumably from the water.

One beach tip: be prepared to wash off the dog with plain water at the end of the day to get off salt, sand and crud. Also, be aware of gross stuff on some beaches that your dog might try to eat--jellyfish, dead creatures, garbage.

Double-check that the beach you're planning to go to will allow dogs. Many (most?) don't, not even on leash.

Have fun! We did!

I take my dogs to the beach all the time. I've never used sunscreen and it hasn't been a problem. We live in Hawaii, where it is sunny all year round, so my pups are acclimated to the sun.

I ALWAYS make sure to have plenty of fresh water available. If I know the beach has showers nearby, I usually just bring a dog dish and a 1 gallon plastic jug. If there there are no showers or other source of fresh water, I bring at least one gallon of water per dog for about an hour or two at the beach.

If your dogs are going to be running in the shore break, make sure there aren't any sharp coral, rocks or debris that could cut their paw pads. I've never had a problem with burnt pads from the beach, but again, my dogs are used to the hot weather, including hot sand and pavement.

Hope this helps. Enjoy the beach, I know your dog will

I do the beach thing all the time! My dogs have always loved it. Actuall the pic below of Quinn is at a local beach after swimming and chasing the ball for an hour...

Everything that Tracy and Eric said is all true, but also be warned that if your dog does drink a lot of salt water that even hours after the beach trip they can have very watery diarrhea . Keep the pup (and you!) hydrated before, during and after the visit.

Be prepared for sand EVERYWHERE! That stuff will be falling off for at least a day with that coat if the dog does not get a full bath. We just deal with it, but one thing you can do (used to for years) is buy a horse shine product like ShowSheen or Vetroline Shine. It coats the hair and allows the sand to fall off better. They have a silicone base to them and is not super great to have on build up on the coat (repeated days of spraying) but is great for the occasional beach trip. I would spray it (don't be shy with it either, really coat the dog...)after the day is over and about ten min before jumping in the car. As it dries, the sand will easily fall off with a quick brushing or scrub with a towel.

As for sunscreen, I’d pass on a dark dog. Pink skin would be different, but I don’t see any issue with the black Lab. I have Rotts and have never put sunscreen on them.

Is your dog used to running on hot asphalt or cement? Does he have tough paws from running on different types of ground and not just carpet all the time? If so, the beach sand shouldn’t be too bad, BUT it can get uncomfortably hot. If it is too hot to place your hand on, and leave it, then it is not fair to make your dog walk on it. Keep in mind that the sand near the water that get wet from the waves is MUCH cooler, so doggie boots to the water line should be fine. To be perfectly honest, mine, since becoming adults, have never had a problem with hot sand. Watch your dog and be ready to either carry to the water line or put on booties.

Does your dog like water? If not, try to teach them about swimming and general water fun at a lake or some other body of water. The waves at the beach can be scary for many dogs, and those not comfortable with water in general it will be an ordeal to teach them the joys of the ocean. Teach shallow retrieves and how to swim to shore. While at the beach, be prepared to have one person that remains close to shore, ankle deep, to allow the dog to adjust and keep it fun!

Depending on the temp and where you go, recognize that the sand a few inches below the surface is MUCH cooler and more comfortable to lie on. If your dog is not a digger, think about helping him out and making a cool bed. Bring LOTS of shade and ice cubes.

Your long line will get gross from sea water and sand (as will every thing else) so bring plastic or canvas bags to store sandy stuff in for the drive back. Actually, a change of clothing is also great for people.

OH, and don’t bring any toys you don’t want to loose in the surf or sand. Flying Squirrels are great, but expensive when the tide takes then five minutes in. A huge supply of tennis balls is the best bet.

Did someone say dogs at the Beach?

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v608/gunnerjones/EasterVacation/?action=view&current=IMG_0287.jpg


http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v608/gunnerjones/EasterVacation/?action=view&current=IMG_0266.jpg


http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v608/gunnerjones/EasterVacation/?action=view&current=IMG_0282.jpg


http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v608/gunnerjones/EasterVacation/?action=view&current=IMG_0291.jpg


got to watch them to make sure they don't try to eat garbage or dead fish or try to roll in it, also bring the duty bags and call them in close if anybody looks the least bit apprehensive. make sure tags and shots are UTD, NagsHead NC will check and ticket violators.

http://s391.photobucket.com/albums/oo358/Storm_st_julian/Phoenix/

Phoenix life is the beach now we do agilty and other things everyone has good advice.
To get around leash laws I just put my leerburg 20 foot line on phoenix. My beach here does not have foot just that they have to be on a leash and I put her six foot ans tell the cop she is on a leash I am just not holding it.
That normally gets me a laugh and then a you must hold the leash.

Watch for jelly fish phoenix seems to like to roll on them when there still alive. Phoenix does not drink the salt water but I have seen the huge runs. In other dogs. Phoenix loves the water. If I feel like she is getting to hot in the Gulf we go.

I carry two gallons of water per hour just because she gets sand in it and she wont drink it so I waiste about half that alone. We have a spout that I use I always go to the same spot.

I just bring a cup and drink the same water she drinks. If it is not good enough for me its not good enough for her.

Phoenix rolls in everything Dead or half dead. Watch for eating everything if you have that problem.
If your dog like chasing bird watch for that to phoenix caught one one day We got in trouble by the life guard. I had to pay for that bird at a vet.

If you look at all the picture you will see all her trips to the beach.

Watch for other dog I have found most people dont have true controle over there dog. I had to hit one dog with a stick to get it away from me and phoenix.
A lot of people ask how do you have such a good come.
So that means they have no idea.

Have a great time I live four blocks from the beach we live there on most days.

Dogs can ingest lots of salt water (just swimming, not trying to drink it!) which can result in salt water diarrhea!! Make sure to give your pooch time to "lose" the salt water one way or the other before putting them in the car! I've had dogs who LOVED the beach and one dog who HATED the heat, the sand, the waves, etc... and spent the week sitting in our truck as we surf fished!! LOL! And she was NO wimp - just preferred lakes and chasing rabbits. Have a blast. Kudos for thinking ahead and planning on safely having a good time.

Thanks for all the wonderful advice and great photos! Leash laws at our beach allow dogs at all times on lead, and off lead from dawn to 9 am. I may just keep him on lead until we figure out how likely he is to eat dead jellies. The Lab part of him will eat anything dead, the "mix" in his makeup will think about it before he eats it. :-)

He goes everywhere with me, so is used to all kinds of surfaces on his pads, and they're pretty tough. We use ShowSheen now, as I find it helps cut down on the Eau de Stinky Pond.

We're staying in an oceanfront cottage and will have access to fresh water close by. I'll take him up to the house for lots of drinks and rinsing while we're playing. Hope to avoid salt-water runs as we're the only dog team staying with a huge family group.

I'll have sun poisoining myself by the 3rd day, but want to make sure I protect my boy.