Dogs, the official start to summer is almost here, and that means many of us will be heading to the beach with our families. Last fall I wrote a shout out to all the good dogs, congratulating the many dogs we saw working with their humans to obey the beach rules. We were very impressed by all the great behavior and positive vibes! To be honest, in recent years we were getting disheartened by all of the out of control dogs we saw breaking the rules at our favorite places. In fact, some beaches we once enjoyed have since banned dogs outright, or have seriously reduced our abilities to play there. This left our tails drooping. So to see more dogs playing by the rules is very encouraging!
However, our work isn’t done! Recently Asa and I have noticed some bad habits creeping back. Humans are odd creatures, and even if the majority of the dogs at a beach are behaving, they tend to only remember the bad ones. This can result in them writing new dog rules or downright banning us from our favorite beaches because of them. Therefore, it is important for us to remember wherever we go this summer we are representing all dogs, and must behave appropriately if we want to continue enjoying dog friendly beaches. This includes dogs who may just be visiting a beach for a day, or a week or two on vacation. Humans have long memories, and one bad day can have lasting repercussions for the rest of us.
Therefore, here are four few simple rules to remember before heading to the beach this summer:
Know before you go! Don’t be caught off-guard. Take the time to learn what the dog rules are before heading out on an adventure. A place that was off-leash the last time you visited, may have new rules this year. Also if leashes are required, use them! If the rule allows for off-leash under voice control, that means you must be able to obey when called, not some of the time, but all of the time. Nobody wants to hear your human repeatedly yelling a command while you ignore it. If you can’t obey, please keep the leash on. In addition, don’t fall for the pack mentality. If you see dogs not obeying the rules, that doesn’t give you a free pass to join them. A lot of thought and public input go into establishing these rules so that everyone can enjoy their time at the beach.
Remember to Coexist! Speaking of enjoying the beach together, although some seem a bit nit-picky, rules are there for a reason, and are meant to keep dogs, our humans, and the wildlife safe, so that we can all coexist. This especially holds true for the Piping Plover restrictions. These little birds are endangered and do not need the added stress of excited paws stomping on their nests, or chasing them. So please take the Piping Plover Pup Pledge, and be respectful of our little friends! Do not go in the restricted areas, which includes the dune grass and sandy area near it. Also if you see a seal sunning on the beach, keep your distance and don’t take a selfie! Just like humans, they also like to relax on the sand for awhile and recharge.
Poop bags are nonnegotiable! Each gram of dog waste contains more than 23 million units of fecal bacteria that are harmful to humans and other animals. This issue goes beyond causing gastrointestinal problems. In fact the EPA has found that just two to three days of waste from 100 dogs can contribute enough bacteria, nitrogen and phosphorous to close 20 miles of a bay-watershed to swimming and shellfishing. But this can be avoided if you pick up the poop and dispose of it properly. If a beach doesn’t have trash receptacles, that means you must take it with you. Do not leave it at the entrance and make it someone else’s problem. Dog waste is the number one reason why dogs are banned from places. Is it really asking too much to clean up the mess, so that we can continue to enjoy going to the beach?
It’s NOT ok to say “It’s Ok!” The impolite greeting of strangers is another reason dogs get banned from places. I have to admit this is my biggest pet peeve. I can’t count how many times I’ve been enjoying a walk on the beach, when all of a sudden a dog comes charging into my space. While in the distance the owner yells, “It’s ok! She’s friendly!” It’s not ok. Especially if the rules call for being leashed, and the offending dog is off-leash. Now I totally understand your enthusiasm wanting to greet everyone you meet. Who doesn’t like to make new friends? But you need to remember to be respectful. The dog on the receiving end of this overly enthusiastic greeting could be skittish, reactive, have health issues, working as a service dog, or just doesn’t want be bothered. So please have your human ask BEFORE you approach.
I know I’m probably preaching to the choir here. However, it is crucial that we all work together to help keep our favorite beaches open to dogs! Humans are more likely to notice the one dog who isn’t behaving than the dozens who are obeying the rules. So please don’t be “that” Beach Dog! Remember that wherever we go we must set a good example by following the rules and being respectful, because far too many places are heading in the opposite direction and banning dogs due to breaking the rules. This summer we can still have fun, but we all need to put our best paw forward while enjoying dog friendly places.
