The first question I asked myself when I decided to spend a day on the beach with Mapou?

What the hell am I doing?
I didn’t even know where to start.

So I started to visit thousands of web pages. I was looking for all the answers to my questions.
And then I understood: I just had to be ready for 8 things:

1. Find a dog friendly beach

First things first. I chose a beach fully equipped for dogs for my first time on the beach with him. (if you’re in Tuscany, Italy, my suggestion will be the Dog Beach in San Vincenzo (LI).

Why? Simply because one thing is certain: no one will complain or be afraid of your dog there!

2. Keep it sun-protected

I had to bring a sun umbrella with me. Two, as I needed one for me too.

Keep in mind that dogs can burn too, especially if they have light skin and fur or short hair. Focus on the ears and nose. I found out there are also sunscreen made for pets.

3. Teach my dog to swim

At least that is what I thought I should do.

When I took him to a test in a small pond, I realised that I could skip this point.

But don’t assume your dog is an automatic swimmer (okay, unless you have a lab), and take it nice and easy.

4. Find fresh water

Another good reason for choosing a beach equipped for dogs. Or, you must equip yourself with a refrigerator bag and litres of water!
Yes, litres. Because during our 5 hours on the beach, my dog drunk at least 5-6 litres of fresh water.

5. Don’t leave it alone

First of all, for his safety. All sorts of items can be partially or fully hidden in the sand. Broken glass, rocks, hooks, coral, and garbage can pose a danger to the dog.

Then, for other people and dogs. It might be too excited and jump on other people, and especially if it’s a big dog (as mine!) it could cause dangers.

6. Rinse well before leaving the beach

Before going back home it’s important to rind the dog of any sand, salt, and beach germs.

It’s important to check if there is a fresh running water source to rinse it thoroughly. Otherwise, you will need to equip yourself with a portable shower.

7. Teach him the “recall” command

As I was supposed to leave it free on the beach, the key to off-leash fun at the beach is having a solid grasp on the recall command – meaning that the dog comes to you when you call him, every single time.

Mapou was luckily already trained with this skill but the beach was also a great place to work on this command around lots of distractions.

8. Let him have fun

The most important key to success with the dog on the beach I think it’s letting him have fun with all the other dogs!

Dogs learn on their own how to handle themselves with other dogs. And there’s nothing better than seeing them run free on the beach with other 4-legged friends!

In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog”   

– cit. Edward Hoagland (& me)