As it warms up, many of you are wanting to hit the beach with your four legged friend, and they are so ready to go!

But do keep in mind there are rules… picking up after your pet, leash laws, having a visible dog license, etc.

Following rules keeps dog friendly areas available to the public.

Know the beach to which you are going ahead of time.

A city can tire of enforcing rules, making more areas less friendly to dogs, so lets try to keep these areas available to our pets by following the rules put in place.

Create your own rules for safety.

When heading to dog beach during off leash season, be ready for playful dogs of all sizes!!

Be aware of the risks and have a plan.

Safety is important, especially if you have a small dog.

A first aid kit can come in handy when it comes to small injury or allergies.

Remember outdoor play with dogs can sometimes get a bit ruff!

A good harness or way to manage your dog is important if needing to remove them from an area or other dogs if you have to.

A good supply of fresh drinking water is most important to keep them hydrated, and prevent the drinking of salt water, which can be very deadly.

Every beach is different, make it your business to know what rules remain in place throughout changing seasons.

If you’re one of the regulars to a popular Dog Beach, you might already know the rules, but if not a frequent visitor, it’s your job to know the rules.

For example:  Del Mar Dog Beach allows off leash fun for dogs the day AFTER Labor Day and extends all the way to June 15th.

Although there are rules in place, pertaining to times during the day in which dogs might need to be leashed.

If you are not in the Del Mar area, and you are looking for a beach to go with your pet,  Californiabeaches.com has a list of the many dog friendly beaches in California.

Remember, keep it friendly and don’t forget to pick up after your pet.