Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

A day at the beach is a delight to humans and dogs alike. If you and your furry best friend are going together, that’s double the joy. Here’s what you should take along to make it a nice and comfortable day for your dog.

Food and Snacks

Of course, your dog cannot have fun while on an empty stomach! Running and playing around is sure to build up your dog’s appetite as he will be burning so much energy. You must always pack sufficient food so your dog can keep himself nourished during his trip to the beach. Pack some light treats as snacks and give it to him from time to time.

If you plan on staying for long, pack a meal for him too. Wet food is difficult to carry, so dry food or kibble will be the best to pack. Your dog can have double the fun while on a full stomach and make the most out of his beach day.

Drinking Water

Be sure to pack a bunch of bottled waters, for yourself as well as your dog. Playing in the sun can make your dog extremely dehydrated, and he must have sips of water from time to time to keep him hydrated and healthy. Pack a water bowl as well in which you can offer him water. Neither you nor your dog can drink the salty water of the ocean, and it will make him very sick if he has to, so don’t let it come to that.

Leash

Even on a dog-friendly beach, the leash is extremely important. Dogs tend to get overexcited around other people, other dogs and the sight of the ocean. You must keep him under control at all times, so he does not end up hurting someone or himself by accident. There are other people on a beach who are there to enjoy a lazy, peaceful afternoon, and they might not appreciate your dig being chaotic and ruining their day. Thus, keep him on a leash, and stay on your guard.

Collar and ID

A collar and ID should always be on your dog when they two of you step out of the house, but they are all the more important when you are going to the beach. It is easy to lose your dog in a crowd, get distracted while having your own fun, and lose sight of your dog as he wanders off. In case any such scenario arises, the collar and ID tag can save your dog from being separated from you indefinitely.

A kind stranger may intercept the lost dog and call you to inform you about your dog’s whereabouts. The ID tag must have your name, your dog’s name, your contact number and address listed clearly so people can reach out to you.

Canine Sunscreen

Do you know there are canine sunscreens available in the market too? While you slather some sunscreen on your back, make sure to do it for your dog as well. Some species of dogs are prone to getting sunburned, and it is necessary that they be treated to some specially formulated canine sunscreen, so their day in the sun does not make them suffer later. Dab it on the tips of your doggy’s ears and on his paws so he can play comfortably in the sun too.

Umbrella

While the sunscreen will help your doggy with the sunburn, it is also necessary to provide some shade and respite from the sunlight alongside. Pack a portable umbrella that you can erect at the beach, where your dog can lounge underneath it, away from the harsh glare of the sunlight. Though it feels nice to be in the sun, excess and prolonged exposure to it can make your dog dehydrated, sunburned and fatigued. The umbrella can provide him with a cool spot to sit in after he is done playing.

Beach Toys

What trip to the beach is complete without beach toys? The beach can be your dog’s play area with the right toys. You can pack a ball, a frisbee, as well as some floating toys that can keep your dog busy, entertained and occupied. You can play with your dog on the sandy shore or go swimming with him in the ocean. Whatever you do, with the right beach toys, you can spend some quality time playing and bonding with your dog.

Waste Bags

We must not forget our manners when we go to the beach. Always pack and prepare to clean up after your dog on the beach. Make sure to keep an eye on him, and whenever nature calls, pick up after your dog. If all of us collectively try to keep our beaches clean and clean up after ourselves, we will have cleaner, greener beaches. Try to get waste bags that are made of sustainable and recyclable materials, so it doesn’t harm the environment as much either. Keep the beach as clean as you would your house.

Camera

Doesn’t your dog look adorable sitting serenely by the ocean or shaking off the seawater from his fur after a swim in the ocean? If you want to immortalize the moment and forever have a reminder of this precious day on the beach with your dog, take out your camera and click some photos. You can put them up on your social media or print them out and frame them in the house.

The beaches are a source of joy to our dogs and us. Let’s not ruin them by being reckless and irresponsible with our lifestyle and choices. If all of us do our part and join hands with the organizations that are fighting to keep our planet safe, we will be leaving behind a far better planet for the future.

by Maria A Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.