A trip to the coast is a fantastic adventure for the whole family and is always full of excitement for our canine pals. You’ll get to watch your pup digging in the sand, racing through waves, and meeting other dogs on their seaside holidays.
However, if you’re taking your hound to one of the UK’s dog-friendly beaches for the first time, you may be wondering what to pack?
Our friends over at Harbour Hounds have helped us out by putting together a list of essentials for your next dog-friendly beach holiday. Below, you’ll find the ultimate dog beach checklist to ensure your trip to the beach is safe, fuss-free and fun.
Your quick checklist: What to pack for a dog for the beach?
Here are the absolute essentials for your dog beach bag:
- Plenty of fresh water and a portable bowl
- A large towel or a dog drying robe
- A lead for safe exploration
- Treat bag and treats for calling your pup
- Poop bags (more than you think you'll need!)
- Tick-off necklace and dog-friendly suncream
- Shade – such as a pop-up tent or umbrella
- Your phone or camera for capturing the memories
How to introduce a dog to the beach?
Before we take a closer look at the checklist, let’s explore how to handle your dog’s first time at the beach.
Canine behaviour and nutrition consultant Dr Emma Scales-Theobald said: “Visiting a beach for the first time can be an exciting but overwhelming experience for your dog. There will be an enormous range of smells, sights, sounds and textures for them to take in. The key is to take it slow and make it a really fun and positive experience for them.”
Here are her top tips for introducing your dog to the beach:
- Take it slow. Don’t worry if your dog doesn’t seem too keen at first or if they can only manage a short visit. It might be best for your dog to do a few short visits and slowly build up the time you’re there and amount they explore in each visit.
- Stay calm! When trying to make it a positive experience for your dog, the temptation may be to be very excitable and enthusiastic. Instead, try to be calm and positive. This can help to avoid overwhelming your dog and allow them to focus more on taking in their surroundings.
- Offer treats and toys. Treats and toys can add familiarity for them, as well as helping to build the positive association. You can also offer positive reinforcement and encouragement talking to them and stroking them.
- Safety first. Double check the beach is dog-friendly for the season you visit and the tide times. Quickly scan the beach for any potential hazards. For some dogs, it might be safer to have them on a lead, an extender lead or a longline, when visiting for the first time.
- Allow them to sniff and explore the area at their pace. Dogs explore the world best through their nose, so allowing them to sniff helps them to map the area and get used to everything quicker than if you just let them look. It’s crucial for their learning and memory.
- Beach first, then the sea. It’s best to let them get used to the sand or pebbles on the beach first before showing them other things, such as seaweed. When they’re feeling more confident with the beach, you can lead them to the sea and see if they’re brave enough to dip their paws in – but never force them to go in. Instead, encourage them in slowly with toys, treats, words of encouragement and seeing you get your feet wet.
- Always try to end positively. Finish with a calm break and a favourite treat to help solidify the beach becoming a happy place for them.
The complete dog beach checklist
Read on for our full dog beach checklist, offering more detail and a few extra additions you might like to bring along.
Curious about the best places in the UK for a beach holiday with your pup pal? Read Canine Cottage's dog-friendly trends report to discover what other holidaymakers look for in a pet-friendly holiday: Travellers’ Tails.
Water and dog water bowl
After running around on the beach, swimming and playing, your dog is going to get thirsty and will need a drink. It’s not a good idea to let your dog take in too much saltwater, as it’s really not good for them, so pack a dog bowl and some fresh water just for your canine pal. In summer, it can be easy for your dog to overheat while racing around outside – read these summer tips for your dog to plan ahead.
How do I keep my dog cool at the beach?
Shade and water are essential. Bring a pop-up tent or umbrella that your dog can sit under to avoid overheating and keep fresh water available to avoid dehydration.
Dog towel
If like us, you have a dog that loves the water, then what could be more fun than taking a dip with them? Don’t forget your towel, it's a must-have dog beach accessory – you’ll need it for drying off your dog after they’ve enjoyed splashing about in the sea.
Harbour Hounds dog drying robe
A super snuggly drying robe is just what your dog needs at the end of a fun day on the beach. Ensuring your dog is warm and dry after exercise reduces muscle stress, tension, and injury.
The Harbour Hounds dog drying robe is not only nautically stylish but soaks up moisture and traps the air and body heat. It has a turtleneck design to keep the neck dry and warm, with quick stud fastening, rather than Velcro or plastic clips, and no awkward leg straps.
How to keep dogs clean at the beach
Rinse your canine pal thoroughly under beach showers or, if there are none available, bottled water works too – as long as it’s fresh and not salty! Then dry your dog thoroughly with a towel so they don’t get cold.
A lead for safe exploration
A dog lead is perfect for giving your dog the freedom to explore while keeping them safe. They can potter back and forth without wandering off, and long-line leads are especially great if your canine pal struggles with recall. A lead is also very useful on beaches with restrictions or near cliffs and busy areas.
Treats
The beach can be a great place for training, with lots of space and the safety of being away from roads, so training treats are good to bring along. Even when you’re not training, treats are perfect for keeping your dog returning to you. Harbour Hounds have a yummy collection of healthy dog treats and snacks that your pup pal will go barking mad for.
Beach picnic
We have all got more used to taking our own refreshments out and about with us and what’s more, many of us have improved our culinary skills. So, why not create a beautiful picnic with all your favourite scrummy new recipes?
Poop bags
We know it’s stating the obvious, but keeping our beaches free of dog mess is vital. It keeps them safe and clean for everyone using the beach, from families with children to other beach-loving hounds on their holidays! We like Fetch It bags, as they are compostable and also kind to the environment.
Harbour Hounds EM Tick-Off Dog Necklace
Handmade in West Sussex, England, and nautically knotted with natural ceramic beads, these cool dog necklaces not only look great but can help discourage ticks from attaching to your dog. The necklace shown above The green necklace above is one of Harbour Hounds' charity range; 10% of sales go to The Seahorse Trust.
Dog-friendly suncream
Like humans, our pets can get sunburnt. The sea and sand reflect the sun and there is very little shade to speak of, so sunburn is likely to occur without taking the correct precautions. Protect your dog’s sensitive skin from the sun with dog-safe suncream, especially for breeds with short or light-coloured fur. If you haven’t used pet sunscreen on your dog before, make sure you test a small area of skin for reactions.
How do I take care of my dog at the beach?
Take care of your dog at the beach by ensuring they have enough shade and drinking water, while helping them avoid hot sand and too much salt water. Supervise your canine pal with regular checks and clean up after them for an easy and relaxing beach experience.
Shade (pop-up tent or umbrella)
Fur is great protection from the cold and rain, but it’s no use against a hot, sunny day. Being out and about is great for mental stimulation, whether they’re running around, sniffing out new scents, or just watching the world. However, dogs can also overheat very quickly, so providing a shady spot is essential. A pop-up tent or umbrella is perfect for giving your pup a place to cool off and relax.
Bandana
If you want your four-legged friend to look as cool as you on the beach, then look no further than the Harbour Hounds bandana. Made in West Sussex from crisp cotton, this double-sided nautical necktie will have all the other pooches turning their heads.
Do dogs need sunglasses at the beach?
Healthy dogs don’t usually need sunglasses; however, some vets recommend them if your pup pal has a lot of regular sun exposure or needs protection from getting sand and grit in their eyes. It’s worth chatting to your vet if you think your pup pal needs eye protection.
Do dogs need shoes for the beach?
Generally, dogs do not need shoes; however, dog shoes can be used to prevent blisters if the sand is too hot. The rule of thumb is to test the sand yourself first: make sure you can comfortably stand barefoot on the sand before letting your pup pal do the same.
Beach bag
A beach bag is a must for any trip out and at Harbour Hounds, we have a wonderful selection of big beach bags and smaller tote bags that are all made from the same 100% cotton as our dog dry robes - perfect for carrying all your stuff during wet, sandy days at the beach.
Dog toys
Your dog would never forgive you if you left her favourite ball at home on a beach day! A ball, frisbee, or chew toy will keep your pup pal entertained and encourage socialising with other dogs. Harbour Hounds offers eco-friendly, sea-inspired toys like Carlos the Crab, Stanley Starfish, and Olive the Octopus – safe to chew and fun to play with.
Phone or camera
Last but not least: Most of us use our phones to take photos these days, so don’t forget to take lots of snaps of your dog’s memorable beach day and post them on the Canine Club Facebook page. It is always lovely to see dogs having a fun day out with their family at the beach.
Canine cottages by the beach
Thanks to Harbour Hounds for this wonderful guest post! If you want to begin planning your next getaway to the beach, take a look through some of our favourite dog-friendly coastal retreats, or browse through our full collection of coastal cottages.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.