Summer Petiquette

Tips for Keeping Your Summer Adventures Safe

What better way to spend a glorious day in Hawaii than with your four-legged friend? Long summer days allow for adventures in the neighborhood, dog parks, beaches and trails. Take a moment to brush up on some basic pet etiquette to make your day enjoyable.

At the Dog Park

These are standard rules for the 9 Oahu Off-Leash dog parks listed on page 21.

• No food in the park for humans or animals. Dogs may beg, steal or fight for food.

• Your dog must be vaccinated and in good health.

• Have a leash with you at all times and be prepared to step in and leash your dog at the first sign of aggression.

• Follow park procedures for entering and exiting the park and unleashing the dog. Always make sure to close each gate.

• While everyone enjoys chatting with other dog owners, watch your dog at all times. Be ready to intervene to stop inappropriate behavior and conflict.

• Does your dog come when called? Reliable and consistent off-leash recall is essential in the park. If you need help with basic obedience, aggression or other issues, seek help from a trainer or behaviorist.

• Always remove and dispose of your pet’s waste properly.

• Enter the park at your own risk. The City is not liable to any person or dog for any injury incurred or caused by another person or dog entering or remaining in the dog park.

• Each owner is responsible for monitoring and keeping their dog under control.

• High value toys should be left at home to avoid guarding and protection.

• Do not bring your dog to the park if she is in heat.

• Children: Think Dog Park, not playground. If you must bring children, watch them! Teach your child to always ask the owner’s permission before touching someone else’s dog. Some dogs live with kids and are used to playful chase and bear hugs. Other dogs have only been around adults and prefer a little space.

• Puppies are welcome once they have completed their full set of puppy vaccinations. It’s a great start to socialization under supervision.

At the Beach

Many of the Dog Park rules make sense at the beach too. Keep in mind rules about dogs on beaches vary. Some are strictly on-leash only while some don’t allow dogs at all, like Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park. Others only allow dogs below the high tide mark or, retaining/sea walls. Check hawaiianhumane.

org for a complete list of dog-friendly beaches on Oahu. And don’t let your dog drink seawater!

On the Trail

While hiking, you should keep your pup on a leash at all times. But if you choose to go commando, be hyper aware of the environment: Is someone coming from the opposite direction on the trail? If he senses wildlife, will your hound bound into the brush? Does he have a surefire recall? If you’re unsure, it’s best to keep him tethered. Consider dog booties or paw protectors if your trek will take you through hot or rough terrain, and zincfree sunblock on the nose and ears.

The National Park Service has developed “The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace” for users, and the AKC has suggestions for safe travels, and we add these highlights:

Plan Ahead. Know the route you are taking, get the weather report, and let someone know when you‘ll be back.

Dispose of Waste Properly and Be Prepared. If you packed it in, pack it out—including dog doody. Bring poop bags; pet wipes to clean feet and fur; a pet first aid kit (check Amazon); leash and collar with tags; and be sure your dog’s microchip is registered and up-todate. Leave what you find and respect wildlife. Just get the IG pic and leave it for others.

Bring Plenty of Water. Take shade and water breaks. Dogs don’t sweat, so they stay cool by panting. Better to pour some out at the bottom of the trip than run out at the top!

Be Considerate and Courteous. Remember that you are responsible for your dog’s actions as well as your own. Plus your kids, but that’s a story for another publication!

There is no excuse for leaving poop behind

Yup, poop stinks. But you are the dog owner and you pick up after your dog— in your neighborhood, at the park, at the beach, and on the trail. Whether it’s bagged or not, it’s not cool to leave it behind. And please don’t drop a hot, steaming bag of doo in someone’s residential trash bin just because you don’t want to carry it back to your own bin. Social media is full of complaints by nondog owners about smelly trash bins. So here are a couple of inexpensive solutions for transporting full bags so that YOU can dispose of them responsibly and properly. Mahalo!

Wag & Wander Dog Poop Carrier holds full bags in a ODOR-PROOF bag that clips onto pack or leash. Okydoky Dog Poop Bag Holder secures full bags; attach it to bikes/stroller handles, or backpack. Order from Amazon.com

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Island Dog Magazine List Of Advertisers

Since 2008, Island Dog Magazine is published quarterly in February, May, August and November. Our distribution of 17,500 reaches more than 35,000 Island Dog owners— pet parents who seek out our magazine at select Safeway, Don Quixote, Times and Longs stores, as well as from veterinarians, pet retailers, and other dog-loving establishments. A digital edition is also posted on our website: IslandDogMagazine.com. For info on advertising, please call John Harmon at (808) 254-2992.