If you’re a dog lover, Mississippi is the place to be! The state has numerous dog beaches where your furry friend can swim and play to their heart’s content. From Gulfport to Biloxi to Bay St. Louis, there’s no shortage of places for your pup to take a dip. So pack up the sunscreen and water toys and head for the nearest beach with your best bud by your side.
Dog Beach Tips
Spending the day with your best furry friend at your favorite dog beach is always a highlight in itself, but if you want to take full advantage of this opportunity to be in the ocean alongside your favorite four-legged pal, here are some tips for making sure that everyone has an awesome time at the dog beach.
If you’re planning to allow your dog to play in the water, it may be a good idea to put a life vest on them. This is especially true if they are new to the water, if they are not as young as they used to be, or if there are lots of other dogs at the dog beach.
Be sure to pack plenty of dog bags. It’s important to pick up after your dog at the beach because it’s just common courtesy to other dogs that are at the dog beach, as well as being respectful of local laws.
If you’re taking your dog to a public dog beach, you want to make sure they have their shots. If your pup is not up-to-date with vaccines, this could result in them getting sick or spreading germs to other dogs.
You don’t want your dog overheated or dehydrated while they are at the beach, so make sure you bring plenty of water and a bowl for them to drink from. If it’s hot outside, make sure they have shade to rest in between play times.
If your dog is going to be around strangers, it’s important to make sure that he or she is comfortable with new people. If your dog tends to be skittish or shy, take some extra time before you go to the beach to get them used to lots of different types of people. This way they will feel more secure when they are at the beach and everyone else will have a better experience, too.
When at the dog beach, make sure you pay attention to your dog and their behavior. If they seem to be uncomfortable or stressed out and keep trying to leave, don’t force them to stay; this will only lead to bigger problems. This is especially important if other dogs are bullying them or if someone is bothering them.
If you are at the dog beach with your kids, make sure they know how to approach dogs and interact with pets in a safe manner. It might be better if they don’t go up to every single dog that walks by but instead wait for one that is comfortable coming up to them.
