If you love taking your dog to the beach, South Carolina is a great place to live. There are plenty of dog-friendly beaches where you and your furry friend can enjoy the sand and surf. From Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head Island, here are some of the best beaches in South Carolina for dogs.
11 South Carolina Dog Beach Tips
1. Arrive Early
South Carolina dog beaches get busy during the summer months. Arriving early means that you’re less likely to get a parking space and will end up walking a long way to the beach, but it also means you and your dog can enjoy the dog beach in peace without having to wait for swimmers or other dogs at the stairs when you go down them.
2. Have Treats Ready
If your dog is shy or nervous about going to a new place such as a beach, having treats ready will help him quickly get comfortable with his surroundings. If he’s not hungry he will do what most dogs do with treats – eat them as slowly as possible.
3. Pick Up After Your Dog & Pack Out All Trash
This is a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how many dog owners don’t clean up after their dog at the beach. Always pick up your dog’s waste and if you see other people’s waste in and around the trash cans, pick that up too so it can be thrown out.
4. Have Plenty Of Water
Although your dog will most likely try to drink water from the lake or river at the beach, this is not necessarily good for them as the water can carry bacteria and parasites. Instead, you should supply them with all of the drinking water that they need.
5. Avoid Very Young Puppies & Old Dogs
Puppies under the age of 4 months should not go to a dog beach as their immune systems are still developing and older dogs have weaker immune systems. This fact also applies to any dog that has been on antibiotics in the past couple of weeks or who has been sick recently.
6. Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone
If you are going to leave your dog alone for a while, make sure that he’s wearing his collar with identification on it. Also, bring plenty of water for him just in case your stay at the beach is longer than anticipated.
7. Bring A Tarp Or Blanket To Lay Out On
A tarp is helpful because it is waterproof and can keep your main blanket or towel dry and clean. Although this is not a requirement, it makes the time you spend enjoying the beach more comfortable for you and your dog. If you are bringing children, make sure that they don’t step on the blanket or tarp.
8. Keep An Eye On Your Dog At All Times
Even if your dog is well-behaved and capable of playing with other dogs, you should still keep an eye on him. There are always things at the beach that can pose a risk to your dog such as swimmers in the water and seagulls in the sky.
9. Watch Out For Aggressive Dogs
If your dog gets in a fight with another dog, carefully try to break it up and get your dog out of the water if he is in it. Even if he is not visibly injured, bring him to a veterinarian for an examination just in case.
10. Say “No” Firmly If Your Dog Is Near A Nest Of Eggs
Many birds lay their eggs along the beaches of South Carolina. Although many of these birds seem quite peaceful, they can be very protective of their eggs and will try to attack your dog if they get close enough. If you see seagulls or other birds nesting on the beach, call your dog over to you and lead him away from them.
11. Have A Positive Experience With The Beach
If there are things that might cause stress or anxiety for your pet at the beach, don’t do them! Instead, try to have a positive experience with the beach. For example, if your dog is scared of water, don’t force him in the water or take him on a boat ride.