Who doesn’t love walks on the beach?! We take Nala to the beach 3-4 times a week. She has no fear when it comes to playing in the waves or chasing the seagulls. She is also a huge people person, so our walks can take awhile.
Activities For Dogs On A Beach
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3 Comments
18 Votes
Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
Want to have some fun with your dog at the beach? It's even more fun than it sounds. Dogs love the beach, because it's a new place to explore and run around. This is especially true for dogs who are used to smaller spaces due to city life, or apartment living. Dogs young and old can enjoy the sand and surf. Go frolic in the water, explore the shore, and build some sandcastles together! Oh, but make sure to put safety first!
Frisbee
Most Popular
7 Votes
Sunny Day
Cheap
Easy
20 - 60 min
Items needed
Frisbee
Activity description
There's nothing dogs love more than catching toys in mid-air. So why not play some beach Frisbee? Make sure you're in a clear area so you can't disrupt the other beach-goers. Also, make sure you're not too close to the water, just in case you throw it and it goes too far in the wrong direction. It's fine if the Frisbee goes into the water, as long as it's shallow. Throw the Frisbee, have the dog bring it back to you, and then repeat the process. It's a lot of fun, and plenty of exercise. It should be enough to keep your dog entertained for an hour, easily!
Step
1
Select an area
Before playing Frisbee, you will need to select an area to play. The area should be rather large, since the Frisbee will go far, and should be as far from the water and other beach goers as possible, so as to avoid any danger or disruption.
Step
2
Throw the frisbee
Once you've selected an area, it's time to throw the Frisbee to the dog, who should be directly in front of you, maybe a few feet away. The idea is to throw it so that it heads in the dog's direction. Remember Frisbees are round, so it will curve in mid-air. Factor that in, or it will go too far left or right, depending on which hand you throw it with.
Step
3
Fun retrieve
Once thrown, the dog should retrieve the Frisbee without you having to do anything. Dogs are naturally playful, so they will want to run and pick up, or better yet, catch the Frisbee in mid-air. When they collect the Frisbee, they should bring it back to you. If not, call the dog to you. You may need to pry it out of the dog's mouth gently, if not properly trained to give toys back. And that's really the idea. Keep throwing the Frisbee, showering your dog with praise all the while.
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Walk Along the Beach
Popular
6 Votes
Sunny Day
Free
Easy
30 - 45 min
Items needed
Dog Leash
Activity description
Sometimes, there's plenty of fun to be had without having to spend any money at all. Without having to step a single toe in the water, or having to wear a life vest either. For instance, go for a pleasant walk along the beach! There's sand, there's tidal pools, there's little, scurrying crabs, and plenty more to see. Walking along is great exercise, and allows your dog to sniff the whole way. Who knows what you may find together? It's part of the adventure. Just make sure to bring some water to drink, and maybe the dog's water bowl from home, to prevent any potential contamination.
Step
1
Prepare for the walk
Most dogs are so smart these days that we humans have to spell out the word "walk." Well, this time you don't have to! Ask your dog if they're interested in a walk, and watch the excitement! Hook the leash onto the dog's collar and collect up any snacks or water you'd like to take on the journey. Remember, it does get a little toasty at the beach, even on cool days, mainly due to the sun and the reflection from the water.
Step
2
Explore
Once you're ready to go, pick and direction and start walking. Keep in mind you're bound to come across other people, maybe other dogs, little crabs, sandcastles, seagulls, and tons of water and sand. These are great excitement opportunities for your dog, but make sure you're not disrupting anyone. Keep the leash short and taut when necessary. Allow your dog to explore but make safety a priority.
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Wave Diving
Least Popular
5 Votes
Sunny Day
Cheap
Easy
15 - 20 min
Items needed
Life Vest
Activity description
Assuming your dog has a life vest, you can go wave diving together. Never let your dog venture off alone, as some waves tend to be particularly challenging, and even the most experienced of swimmers can get caught up. So, keep an eye on your dog, stay close by, and don't let the dog get too deep into the water. Try to stay as close to shore as you reasonably can, just to prevent any mishaps. But otherwise, enjoy! The lulls between the waves build up excitement, and the crashing of the waves proves to be very refreshing. Have fun together out there!
Step
1
Safety first
Begin by equipping your dog with a life vest. You should also wear one, if you feel like it would be a wise idea. Even experienced swimmers can get caught up in waves, especially once you begin to get worn out and tired. Furthermore, remember you will need to keep an eye on your dog, so that lack of attention toward your own person is a factor.
Step
2
Stay close by
Once you're ready, follow your dog out into the water. Stay as close to the shore as you reasonably can, and keep an eye on your dog. Stay close, preferably right beside the dog in case anything happens. Also, stop your dog from venturing too far into the deep water. Even experienced swimmers get tired, or caught up in dangerous waves.
Step
3
Enjoy!
Above all, remember that you should be having fun! And you can still have fun while being smart and safe. Every time the waves come, jump into them! Laugh and pet your dog, and show that you're having a good time. This will make your dog feel happy, and excited to keep jumping at the waves.
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More Fun Ideas...
Go Surfing
If your dog is an advanced swimmer, and you're good at surfing or boogie boarding, then maybe it's time to get your dog involved! Make sure they're wearing a life vest though, because that water can be pretty tricky. Also, make sure to give your dog some time to get adjusted to the board. Balance is a thing to acquire over time, so stay in relatively shallow water at first.
Build Sandcastles
Your dog may not be able to build sandcastles with you, but not to worry. You can build one while doggo holds the plastic shovel, or the bucket. If not, doggo can sit and watch while you build. And then, you can say "go" and watch your dog have a blast tearing the sandcastle down. It's a great YouTube video opportunity!
Conclusion
Having a fun beach day is one thing. But having your dog involved is another entirely! Get ready for some fun, laughter, and excitement, as dogs get super happy over the most basic of activities, especially in a new place. As usual, anytime there's water involved, pay extra attention to your dog. Keep an eye out for any harsh waves, and make sure to equip your dog in a life vest.
Dog Owner Experiences
Nala
Dalmatian
Laguna Beach, CA
High Energy
Playful
Caring
Loving
Nala's Activity
Coco
Beagle
Monterey, CA
Moderate Energy
Social
Scrappy
Goofball
Coco's Activity
Coco and I love going down to the shoreline of our local beach and taking a stroll there at least once a day. Now that I’m retired, my husband and I have plenty of time to enjoy walking together with Coco. There are plenty of other dogs out here too, so Coco is able to see many of her friends every week.
Lucky
Miniature Poodle
Hayward, CA
Low Energy
Protective
Cuddly
Lucky's Activity
Lucky enjoyed digging a deep hole in the sand. I then made a channel from the water to hole to get it filled. She jumped in her new private bath and was very happy with the work she had put in.