Beach Etiquette

Beach Etiquette

The crowds are thinning and it’s time to head to the beach with your dog. No longer confined to the “doggie” beaches, you can run for miles along the shore. What could be more fun on a Fall day than a romp on the beach? Whether your dog enjoys chasing the waves, running the shoreline, or just rolling in the sand, the cooler days at the beach were made for fetching by the sea. Ocean City permits furry four-legged visitors on the beach during the off-season, from Oct. 1 through April 30. They are permitted on the beach in Bethany from Sept. 30 through April 30. There’s more room to run, and frisbees are much easier to catch when there aren’t sunbathers to navigate. Although these etiquette tips apply in most social situations, they come into particular play when at the beach. 1. Scoop your poop - Always pick up immediately after Fido makes a deposit and dispose of the waste in a garbage receptacle. Nothing is worse than enjoying the day barefoot on the beach and stepping in doggie doo.

Clean-up laws are strictly enforced at our beaches. 2. Obey the leash laws - Some dog-friendly beaches and boardwalk areas are “on-leash” only. This helps to prevent unwanted confrontations between other dogs and people. Look for signs in the area where you are visiting. 3. Be sure your dog is under control at all times. Your dog must reliably respond to your voice commands, particularly off-leash. Do not allow your dog to approach other people or pets unless invited to do so. Not everyone welcomes an enthusiastic greeting from a wet and sandy dog. 4. Know when it’s time to go home – An hour at the beach can be exhausting, even for a high-energy pooch, particularly if they are doing a great deal of swimming and ball chasing. Call it a day if your dog shows signs that he’s tired or has just plain had enough interaction. Leave while your dog is happy, and let him look forward to your next trip to the beach!