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Dogs like to accompany their humans on vacation and most dog owners also like to take their dog with them on vacation. When traveling with a dog, you are somewhat limited in some respects, but many destinations are also suitable with a dog, for example, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, France, or Scandinavia. Also, the German coast offers itself. It is only important to make the journey as pleasant as possible for the dog and to know the regulations of the respective accommodation as well as the respective country. Because there are often special rules for dogs. Also on the beach, you should pay attention to some things with the dog.
When and where are dogs allowed on beaches?
On many beaches, leash requirements and bathing prohibitions only apply during the day when bathers are comfortable. In the morning or evening, however, dogs are often allowed on the beach. In some places, the dog ban on beaches also only applies during the high season.
Therefore, it is always worth asking whether dogs are allowed at certain times on the beach of your choice and to move splashing, mudflat hiking, and shore games to these times. Where nothing goes, there are more and more often designated dog beaches, where every four-legged friend may romp and swim happily.
Think about poop bags and waste disposal
Equip yourself with enough poop bags and always pick up the dog poop on the beach as well. All permits to take dogs to beaches are quickly forfeited if other bathers step in the dog poop or put their bath towels in it.
Be on the lookout at the outset for where there is a way to properly dispose of a full bag, then you won't have to carry the bag around endlessly. Make sure that male dogs don't roam around, shake the water out of their coats at other bathers, or even put their scent marks on their bathing bags. Also, remember to dispose of your picnic waste so you leave nothing but footprints and paw prints on the beach.
Always provide sufficient shade
Especially on sandy beaches, but also on gravel areas around unplanted shores, it quickly gets hellishly hot for dogs. A swim in the water may cool them down, but it won't protect them from sunburn and sunstroke. Too much sun is also unhealthy for dogs! Very heat-sensitive dogs are best left at home in a cool room during the day when it's very hot, or you can provide plenty of shade.
At the beach, always choose a place where there is sufficient shade or provide shade yourself (e.g. with a parasol). A pleasant emergency solution for the dog is a deep sandpit where he can lie down and cool down. When digging it out, he will certainly help vigorously and you can build a sandcastle with the excavated material. Dogs with a light nose can be protected from sunburn with unscented sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (baby cream).
Are flea and tick protection waterproof?
If your dog wears a collar against parasites, take it off before swimming. This is because the antiparasitics will otherwise be released into the water. If you use spot-on, do not apply them before a walk on the beach, because they need time to penetrate the skin. You should also avoid powders and ointments if you have a water-loving dog.
Water bottle and treat for the dog are always present
Romping makes thirsty and hungry. However, dogs should not drink seawater and even the water from the lake and pond is not necessarily the cleanest. Therefore, take a bottle of drinking water with you to the beach and offer it to the dog. A few snacks also belong in the backpack. There are special containers with which food and water for dogs can be transported well and from which the dog can also eat or drink right away.
Protect the dog's paws from burns and wounds
As wonderful as fine sandy beaches are, they heat intensely when the sun burns on them - an ordeal for the dog's paws. Unfortunately, campers and barbecuers leave behind shards and trash on almost all shores, against which even the thick paw pads can do little. Avoid polluted beaches and place a blanket on the ground for the dog when resting.
Care for the dog after a saltwater bath
Sand baths, like saltwater, are good for skin and coat but irritate them when grains get stuck. So feel free to let your dog splash, wallow, and roll around as often and as long as he wants. Before heading home or into the car, a freshwater shower rinses salt and sand from the coat. Where there isn't one, first rub the dog down thoroughly with a towel and brush him (even short hair) vigorously again.
Beach with dog: You should pay attention to this additionally
One should not start "water games" before the animal is eight months old. Young dogs in cooler weather should be sure to towel off well after the bath, so they do not catch a cold.
Shearing the hair should be considered carefully because it negatively affects the hair structure, and the dog does not wear a bathing suit. The undercoat warms during bathing.