With summer now but a distant memory, we are all settling into autumn and looking ahead to what winter may bring. For dog owners, this means many beaches are now open to walk your pet pooch on again. This is great news as it makes for a more interesting walk and is also an environment dogs love. It is key to know what you are doing though, so you both have the best time.

But what are the best etiquette tips for walking your canine friend on a beach?

Take steps to keep your dog calm

One great etiquette tip for walking your dog on a beach is taking steps to reduce stress and keep it calm. This will help your dog enjoy the walk more and ensure it remains relaxed if you come across other dog walkers. Thinking about how to reduce pet stress on a beach walk is especially important if your pooch is naturally nervous around other dogs/new people. This is also a good tip if your dog may get distracted by the extra stimuli beaches have to offer and you are worried about how attentive they may be.

Know when to use a leash

Beaches are wide-open spaces and often have few people on them in autumn/winter. This can make them the ideal place to let your pet pooch off the leash – but it is important to know when it’s the right time to do this.

In terms of letting your dog off the leash, it is fine when there is no one else around. Just be sure that they are trained to listen to your commands before you do. This will mean you can spot any dangers when they are running free and call them back before anything bad happens.

A good rule of thumb for putting them on the leash is when you come across other dog walkers or other beach users in general. This will mean you are in full control of not only what your dog does but also help keep it away from any other dogs or people you feel may pose a threat. It is also the responsible thing to do as a dog owner. A family out for a quiet walk might not want a strange dog bounding towards them at top speed!

Clean up after them!

As with any other place you walk your dog, it is essential to clean up after them on the beach. This keeps the beach safe to use for other people and also other dog walkers. With this in mind, remember to take along your usual supply of doggie bags and a poop scoop.

Remember to clean your dog afterwards

Although you might not think about it initially, cleaning your dog when you return from a beach walk is worthwhile. Dogs after all love to roll in the sand and this means they will come back covered in it! When you also add on seawater their coat may pick up from running in the waves, it is clear why a rinse-off with fresh water or a relaxing bath is a great tip to consider.

Where can you find dog-friendly beaches?

There are many beaches which are dog friendly, and these are the ones you want to use. But how do you find them? A great place to start is to ask friends who own dogs for tips on the best beaches to use. It can also be worth heading online and doing a quick internet search for dog-friendly beaches in your area.

Help your dog relax with Pet Remedy

As noted above, it is worth helping your dog feel as stress-free as possible on your next beach walk. Pet Remedy is an easy way to do this and a clinically proven, natural option to rely on. Order with us online today or get in touch at in**@**********co.uk for more details.