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dogs at the beach
Mon, 16 Jan 2006 18:59:49 -0500
rec.pets.dogs.behavior
previous
MauiJNP...
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This summer, Maui and Cali (toy poodles) are going with me to the Outerbanks
MauiJNP...
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It only takes once to get hooked! I wish I could live there.
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MauiJNP...
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that would be fun to watch.
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MauiJNP...
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yeah, I have waste bags on my list (something I never had to buy before)
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MauiJNP...
MauiJNP...
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yeah, we had a hard time finding just the right place for our family (dogs
included). luckily some places allow pets!
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MauiJNP...
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yeah, last summer we stayed in Nags Head in a hotel for one night and camped
in Rodanthe the other nights. This year, we are renting in Nags Head (no
camping).
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MauiJNP...
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sounds good (they are on Interceptor monthly)
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MauiJNP...
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ok, I will mention it to my vet before I leave and schedule an appointment
upon out arrival, thanks!
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MauiJNP...
MauiJNP...
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Thanks! This time I am making my parents go (they've never been there). I
just know they will love it too.
Sharon...
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We went parasailing out of Manteo last year. 1000 feet up in the air with my
13 year old. That was great. Whether they do some site seeing or just enjoy
the beach I'm sure they'll get hooked too!
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You have fun too!
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of NC. Taking dogs to the beach will be a first for me (and they have never
buglady...
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........the first thing you have to know if it is legal or not to have dogs
on the beach in NC. Here in FL they made it illegal a number of years ago.
Janet B...
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Most of the NC beaches allow dogs pretty freely. Some have certain
hours and restrictions, and some do not. Searching, I found some FL
beaches that allow dogs, so I guess it's not the whole state that made
it illegal?
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buglady
take out the dog before replying
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Janet B...
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Lucky dogs. Mine loved it there (but they have loved every beach
MauiJNP...
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some beaches do and some don't. we picked one that does so I didn't have to
leave the dogs behind.
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they've ever been to!).
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MauiJNP...
been there either). I am already looking forward to it but have much to
MauiJNP...
MauiJNP...
read about how exactly this will work and what things I need to watch out
for. So, does anyone who has taken their dog on vacation before have any
helpful tips or suggestions?
Janet B...
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I take my dogs on vacation (and vice versa - they take me to flyball
tournaments) a lot, and it usually involves the beach. I always make
sure I travel with bedding for them, cleanup supplies in case of
illness, and of course, their regular food along with their bowls, and
towels.
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Everything I read warns against several things, two of the biggest being
MauiJNP...
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Definately they will be on leashes the whole time! I don't think I would
ever be comfortable with them off leash (ever!)
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MauiJNP...
heat and feet. I was wondering how best to protect the dogs' feet and pads
Judy...
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On the Outer Banks, besides heat you will need to worry a great deal about
fleas and ticks. And mosquitoes. You'll need to check your dogs every day
MauiJNP...
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I will remember that so I use Frontline right before we leave.
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for ticks. (My dogs haven't ever gotten one there but DH has!) Most of the
populated areas there are sprayed at least once a week for mosquitoes. But
it's still a concern.
And that sand gets hot. I don't think you can even consider taking the dogs
out on the beach in the middle of the day. And if they get into the salt
water you'll want to make sure you get them rinsed off as soon as you can.
And you'll also want to get the sand out of their coats as soon as you get
back to the house.
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while walking on the rough sand, gravel, etc. The articles mostly mention
Janet B...
just being careful where to take them and to check the feet often but I was
wondering if this is going to be enough. And, I am trying to find a way to
protect against hot sand (I don't want them to burn). Could they wear boots
of some kind or is that totally unnecessary? As for the heat, I am
Janet B...
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Do you want to be laughed off the beach? ;-D They're poodles for
goodness sake - take them to the beach and get them in the water -
instant cooling.
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concerned about how long they can be out (I will have an umbrella for
shade)? Or if there skin could get sun burned (they will have short
haircuts for the summer)? If I should get them cooling bandanas or
something like that? I have a few good resources but I still have some
questions.
Davina Stuart...
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one possible option you mentioned for their feet is the little doggie boots
they make.. i know most of them are intended for snow and ice, but i
honestly don't see why they wouldn't work just as well for the sand.. you'd
probablly want to use ones that aren't as heavily insulated, so their feet
don't get really hot in them..
i haven't tried this, (as I live in Alaska and beaches arne't that much of
an option.) but see no reason why it wouldn't work..
MauiJNP...
otherwise.. just make sure the dogs have plenty of toys, food, attention and
water and they should be fine
MauiJNP...
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Judy...
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If I were there in the middle of the summer (BTDT - May and September are
much nicer - and cheaper), there is no way my dogs would be anywhere but
inside in the cool house in the middle of the day. Yes they can get
sunburned. Cooling bandanas and cooling mats might stretch out the amount
of time they could be out on the beach - under the umbrella - but you'll
want to be able to get them back in the air conditioning quickly if they are
showing any signs of stress.
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Janet B...
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Cooling bandanas don't do much. A "canine cooler" pad would be more
useful. But, just get them in the WATER. And hopefully you won't
MauiJNP...
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is there a such thing as bug spray for dogs?
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trim them so close that they can get sunburned - they'd look silly.
Bring a thermos with fresh water, and a bucket or bowl to drink from -
avoid letting them drink the ocean - they'll throw up. An x-pen would
be nice on the beach. They make lightweight mesh/fabric ones now.
You can have the, in there, next to you, and keep it partially covered
for shade. A light-colored blanket or towel is a good "floor", but
digging in sand is FUN!
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I am also a bit concerned about the car ride (its about 12 or so hours). We
Judy...
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If your dogs ride well on trips of half an hour or more around home, they'll
MauiJNP...
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yeah, I don't even go out at that time (I like the evening and night best).
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MauiJNP...
likely be fine on a longer trip. Mine sleep almost all the time. When they
start to get antsy, it's usually because they need to stop. And by the end
of a second day of travelling, they're reaching their limits. And for all
the sleeping they do in the car, they are still tired when we get where
MauiJNP...
we're going.
Be careful at rest stops about where you walk them. Many people are not
very good about cleaning up after their dogs or themselves. I keep an eye
out for things they shouldn't be sticking their noses into.
MauiJNP...
And if you leave them in the rental house or motel room while you go out,
make sure they're crated. No matter how well they behave at home, it's not
worth risking the next person being told they aren't allowed to bring their
dogs because the last ones did some damage.
You'll want to check also for ant and roach motels on the floors. One of my
dogs just loves to crunch them so when we go someplace new I always have to
clear the corners of things like that.
Sue and Atty...
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Good points, Judy. - we always crate in the hotel rooms if we need to stay
in one - don't want some maid opening the door and letting a dog out. We
also leave our cell phone number at the front desk, in case they need to get
in touch with us.
One more thought - since we're on the topic of hotel rooms... we also take
our own bedspread. Atty sleeps on the bed and so we put our spread down so
the hotel bed doesn't get "doggy" for the next people.
MauiJNP...
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I will have to remember that.
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We also take her mat (bascially a crate pad - but since she's not crated at
home anymore, it's turned into her portable bed) so that she has a place
that is hers in the hotel - and we can tell her to go lay down on her
"place"
MauiJNP...
Sue and Atty
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Where are you staying? On the upper banks, down on Hatteras Island or
further south?
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MauiJNP...
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the place we are renting has private beach for just us so that's good
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will have to stop often for breaks (for the dogs and the people) but other
MauiJNP...
MauiJNP...
MauiJNP...
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Wow, April! I am jealous. We aren't going until the summer (that's when we
can all get vacation time)
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than that, I am not sure how to make the trip as best as can be. Will I
MauiJNP...
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thanks for all the great input, I appreciate it!
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MauiJNP...
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the Nags Head area
Sharon...
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If you're looking for a place to stay, let me know. Nagshead has a variety
of hotels - from reasonable efficiencies to very expensive hotels. I spent
my summers there from about age 7 on. Although my husband and I take our
kids and mother in law to Rodanthe, my parents still go to Nagshead.
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Janet B...
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Stop for gas, have them eliminate. Ride in crates with a toy,
something comfy to sleep on and keep the car cool. A clip on water
bucket is nice as well, but keep very little water in it, or only
offer at rest stops. You'll probably need ONE gas stop. That should
be adequate, but add another stop so you break it inton 4 hour shifts
if you feel better about it.
My dogs get in the car (into crates) and go to sleep. Wake me when we
get there........
Make sure you rinse salt and sand out of them when you get back to the
house.
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need to entertain the dogs? If so, any suggestions? Will they sleep most
of the way (hopefully, we will travel through the night and they will sleep
but I am not sure yet when we plan to travel)? The dogs will either be
crated or in dog seats. I plan to ask the vet what I could do about car
sickness and any other problems I should run into (Just in case, I have the
name, number, location of the Animal ER clinic nearest to where we are
staying).
So, basically, I am reading a lot but figured some first hand experience
could really benefit me this time around. Any help, as always, is very much
MauiJNP...
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I will have to get some with cell phone numbers on it. good idea.
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appreciated.
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