Ways To Stay Popular With Your Pet At The Beach

Everyone loves a trip to the dog beach, but there is always that one person who doesn’t seem to quite know the rules. 14 ways to avoid being "that guy:”

1. Forget Food. Do not bring your lunch -- or any food at all -- to a dog beach. You will be swarmed by dogs and probably lose your sandwich. Dogs can be worse than ants at a picnic.
2. Laugh. Do bring your sense of humor. You might get peed on or step in a pile of poo. Consider it good luck and move on.
3. Be realistic. If your dog is shy, don’t expect other dogs to respect that. Dogs will be dogs.
4. Don’t leave luck to your lady. Do not bring a female dog in heat to the beach unless you want trouble and puppies.
5. Walk like a man. If your male dog is not neutered, watch him closely -- other dogs may want to challenge him.
6. Anger management. Do not bring an aggressive dog to the beach. If your dog gets into a scuffle, leave the beach immediately.
7. Poop patrol. Pick up after your dog, and nicely let other owners know if their dog has left a "present” on the beach.
8. Be prepared. Bring extra poop bags and towels, plenty of water, and a canine first-aid kit.
9. Adults only. Avoid bringing children to a dog beach, as they may be knocked over, scared, or injured.
10. Baywatch. Not just a great show from the 90s, but a practical activity too! Watch your dog at all times. This is not soggy-doggie daycare.
11. Sharing is caring. Don’t bring a toy to a dog beach unless you’re OK with other dogs playing with it and possibly losing it.
12. Bring your shades. Provide your dog with shade and lots of water on hot days.
13. Stay cool. If the sand burns your feet, it’s burning your dog’s paws, too. Run to the shore or carry your pooch.
14. Cover up. We aren’t talking about your clothes (although we do recommend staying more covered up then you would at the human beach.) Sunscreen for dogs? Yes! Apply sunscreen made specifically for dogs to their noses and ears. Rinse your dog off with fresh water after a day at the beach. Repeat!

July 4th Safety Tips for your Pets

July 4th is around the corner, along with the fireworks that inevitably come with this holiday. Almost all humans with dogs in the United States declare this day the worst day of the year for them. Veterinarians say that July 3rd is usually the most-trafficked day in their offices.  The  Humane Society says  it is the busiest time of the year for them, as more dogs are found wandering loose on July 4th than any other day of the year in the U.S.

Tips for providing a safe July 4th for your Canine Household:

1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.

2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship. If it’s hot, air conditioning will help. Bringing your dogs to a fireworks display is never a good idea.

3. Provide a safe place inside for your dogs to retreat. When scared of sounds they can’t orient, dogs often prefer small enclosed areas.  If your dog is comfortable in a crate, that is a good option.

4. Keep the curtains closed, and if possible, also the windows.

5. Make sure all your dogs are wearing ID tags with a properly fitting collar. (Dogs have been known to become Houdini around the 4th of July.)

6. Leave your dog something fun to do – like a frozen Kong filled with his favorite treats.

7. Sound Therapy:  classical music clinically demonstrated to calm canine anxiety   

Wishing you and your canine and feline households a safe holiday. How have they reacted to fireworks in previous years? Thanks for sharing ways that you’ve made it easier for Fido and Fluffy.