Spending time at the beach is one of mine and Leo’s favourite ways to relax and unwind on a weekend. However, the beach can be a hostile environment with many dangers for both you and your dog, so safety should be front of mind when setting out for a sandy adventure. Here are my top tips for you:

1. Bring water for you and your dog. Make sure your dog can drink out of the bottle or you may need to bring some sort of bowl. There are many portable and collapsable options on the market, some allow both you and your dog to drink from the same bottle without sharing slober! It’s also handy to have water available for washing sand out of eyes or from around your dog’s mouth.

2. Check the sand temperature - if you can’t stand the heat of the sand on your bare feet, then it’s too hot for your dog as well! Make sure if you’re wearing thongs (“flip flops” for those not in Australia!) or footwear, that you check the surface temperature first.

3. Check whether your dog is allowed on the beach and whether they may be let off the leash. Maintain control of your dog, especially near the water, people and other dogs.

4. Don’t forget the poo bags! You may be wondering how this makes the list for safety concerns? Have you ever not picked up a poo on the beach and witnessed the reaction of beach goers?! Do the right thing, not just for your own sake but for other people and the environment!

5. Take a waterproof case for your phone and keys. You may not be planning to go in the water but this is a good tip to keep the sand out, too. You never know when you might have to get wet to save a toy, or dog, floating away.

6. Don’t forget the treats (for you and the dog!). Dogs can become very distracted with so many things to sniff and wander off, so having some treats to regain their attention may avoid losing them in the sand dunes.

7. Be aware of the various things found on a beach that may be harmful to your dog. These include things like blue-bottles, jelly fish, puffer fish and dead fish; all of which could be toxic or cause a reaction. Another hidden danger is ingestion of sand, which can be fatal. More obvious dangers are moving water, but don’t forget still water can be dangerous, too.

8. The beach is a fantastic place to play on its own, but a favourite toy to fetch takes it to the next level. Make sure it’s bright so you can find it in the sand and one that floats is a good idea. Avoid toys that attract the sand, such as furry tennis balls, to reduce the amount of sand ingested. Rubber toys are a good option, making sure it’s the right size for your dog.

If you’re interested in creating some beautiful printed images of your pet at the beach, please get in touch and we can plan a customised photo shoot to suit you and your pet.