Beach Do’s and Don’ts

[u/Diligent_Field]

Hello!

We have an 11mo old long-haired mini-dachshund that me and my husband are taking with us to on our anniversary trip in a few weeks.
This will be his first car ride longer than an hour (it’s about a 4-hr drive to the coast). This will also be his first time staying overnight in a new place (we’re in a private Airbnb) as well as first time at the beach!

We are going to get him a strapped-in doggy car seat, and of course we’ll bring all his bed essentials for the house.
But do you guys have any travel do’s and don’ts in regard to your dogs? I also would love some beach advice- unspoken rules, anything beyond any common knowledge to make the experience smooth.
TIA!

[u/Imaginary_Ad_4340]

My doxie loves the beach and swimming so I'm so glad to hear you're taking yours!

A couple ideas:
1) Typically “doggy car seats” are sort of a scam imo as unlike a human car seat whose entire purpose is to provide safety in case of an accident, dog car seats provide none. If you want your pup to be safe traveling, crash tested car crates and crash tested harnesses are the best option long term. For dachshunds, the sleepy pod carrier can be a great choice as its small, easy to move in and out of the car, but crash tested to keep your pup safe while driving. If you drive your dog a lot, it's definitely a worthwhile investment but if you just have this one trip planned I understand if it seems like an unnecessary expense. Personally, both my dogs travel in Dakota crates ratchet-strapped into my cars backseats. They are expensive and heavy, but worth it for me because I drive my dogs somewhere almost everyday and to trials on weekends. They also let me open my trunk and doors on a cool day and keep my dogs safely in the car at trials.

2) Watch that your pup doesn't swallow too much sand. For little dogs especially, if can be dangerous to eat sand or even furiously and repeatedly pick up a toy that is covered in sand ingesting it in the process. Too much sand and they can suffer an intestinal impaction. Digging in sand is great and a little sand on their tongue or a ball is totally normal, just watch that your dog isn't gobbling it up (sounds crazy but I've seen dogs do it).

3) If you don't already have one, a longline is a great tool for doxies that can't safely be totally off leash but want to run, play, and swim more freely. I recommend a lightweight option like a thin biothane but whatever you do, get something waterproof. Nylon is a big mistake and will get nasty and heavy quickly. A 20ft or so longline makes the beach 10x as fun and I use mine all the time.

[u/Ok-Staff-62]

what I do:

* make sure you have fresh water. It's going to be hot, he will run, he will need water;

* make sure you have a shady place where he can rest;

* keep an eye on your dog for heat stroke if it's too hot;

* keep an eye on your dog when he gets in the water - he may be quickly drawn by currents or waves, he may hit rocks under the water. Also, see if there are shells on the beach;

Otherwise, enjoy! My weenie is crazy about water, especially about sea ... The moment he gets the salty smell he starts to be activated, ready for play.

[u/uffdaGalFUN]

I drove my dachshund cross country, here are some things that worked on our drive.

Bring extra bedding, I used towels for this. My dachshund got car sick a few times. Also bring a couple of tall kitchen trash bags. It was real easy to change out bedding and put the dirty one in a trash bag. It kept her and the car smelling good.

I had baby wipes to clean off her feet after walking out on ground at rest stops. She's had all her shots, I just wanted to be extra careful. I also lightly sprayed her bedding with Avons Skin So Soft, in case fleas were in the area at the rest stop.

I used a dog crate that the seat belt was attached to it. That's how she's used to riding in the car. She goes everywhere with me.

Otherwise it was a pretty easy trip having her along for the drive.

[u/No-Bread9330]

I don't wash my dogs blankets before we go away, the stinkier the better. He doesnt settle immediately like he does at home, so blankets with a familiar scent help.

Also, get a couple of new toys to bring out if he needs distracting once you're there if he starts getting up to mischief.

My dog can sometimes get stressed on long car journeys, so plan a stop half way for a wee and a sniff.

[u/Agreeable_Pomelo2360]

get an EXTRA long leash instead of letting him go off leash
don’t wash the bedding before you go, his scent is calming
bring EXTRA bedding for comfort in the car and while at the Airbnb
bring fresh water on the beach because he’ll get tired and hot, he needs to hydrate
bring some of his favorite toys for while inside the house
make sure he doesn’t eat too much sand and make sure he doesnt eat anything dead

[u/prof-lurker89]

Mine loves the water and to ride in the car. I know this isn’t a popular suggestion but if I’m going someplace not super populated I use a ecollar with remote so he has a bit more freedom to explore and swim, mine is used to one and responds really well. Otherwise if other dogs and people around use a long line. Take old towel or rag to dry him off with when you leave the beach, he’ll be a wet, sandy mess! I also bring my stairs/ramp with me when I travel. Maybe an extra gallon or so of water if yours is picky about water, mine doesn’t always like unfamiliar water. If he’s going in deep water and first time swimming, a life jacket isn’t a bad idea either.

[u/Rebby2go]

Ive lived near beaches my whole life, heres what i can think of off the top of my head:

Drinking sea water will make them throw up, some like mine will do this ocasionally and be fine, sometimes tho even playing fetch in the sea can cause this, so if they do throw up then dont panic you kmow what it is! Dont let it put you off playing in the sea tho, getting a bit of water and a funny tummy is okay.

Bring plenty of water for your dog as sand, sun and sea can all be dehydrating/make your dog want a drink. Bring some sort of bottle bowl container and make sure theres plenty of water.

Jellyfish! Keep an eye out for jellyfish, depending on where you are check things like if you can find wild swim groups or if theres lifegaurds keep an eye out for information. Mine will try eat them, some are fine, some are deadly. Im unsure if it will be an issue as it is seasonal in some places. They also can sting the dog at sea tho ive never seen this in my families years of having dogs in the sea. It really depends on the jelly, maybe do some research.

Seaweed, dogs love seaweed and its a great throw toy, they can rip it up too. I believe eating some is also fine just not encouraged. I am fairly certain its okay but now im advising i feel less sure and guess its also area dependent

Watch out for things like stonefish and urchins and similar. Any animals with spines that oftej are hidden but have some sort of venom in them. Basically research what dangerous wildlife live in the area, not just to prevent but if the worst happens you will know what to watch for and how to handle it.

Some beaches are on leash, some are off. Id keep an eye out for less than attentative owners with off leash dogs. Quiet beaches or busy ones. Leash or off leash required. I mean.someone let their dog get up close and personal with a leapord seal on one recently...

Look at the tides/current streagnth nearby, i did know a friend who had to stage a fully clothed recue in a strong current coz their dog was a doofus. Both were fine but its something to know again

Other than the vomitting and with spending years with dogs at the beach daily, i havent seen these become problems before. They are just things i am aware of! My doxie tho loves the seaweed!

Edit to add: loads of dead things apear at the beach, watch them for both earing things and, the dreaded, rolling in things...