To dislike dogs off their leads on a beach

[acatisnotjustforeaster]

Really like dogs and lots of my friends and family have nice well trained pooches. No problem with a responsible dog owner. However, I have visited the beach with my 3 dc all under 5 recently and our favourite local beaches are now over run with dogs running around off the lead. We have had dogs peeing on our tent, stealing our lunch and stealing toys. Not to mention these dogs are all at toddler height and it's quite frightening for little ones to have s barking jumping dog so nearby. Not sure what the solution is. Maybe keep them on a lead? Restrict the hours they are allowed on beaches (early morn, later in the eve). Aibu?

We have one beach here, in the most popular seaside town here, that's dog free from May till September. The beaches in two or three villages either side are dog friendly all year. Should suit everyone.

I think banning dogs from the beach altogether in summer between 10am-6pm works well.

There is still plenty of time either side of these hours to walk a dog, it's been light for ages by 10am in summer. Plus, I'm not sure a dog should even be out in the height of summer and should be safely at home in a cool room.

I think it works well for everyone this way.

Totally disagree with banning all dogs in the summer - it is fair enough to have some with dogs and some without. We live about an hour from the coast and like to go to the beach for the day with dc and our dogs. If we couldn't take them, then that would stop as it we way too long to leave them at home, plus why shouldn't they be part of our day out? We go to a dog friendly beach, take a sun-tent, lots of water and they are quite happy crashed out in the shade with us after a potter and a paddle. if people don't want to be with dogs, then go to a beach where they are not allowed - surely that's obvious? Don't go to a dog-friendly beach and moan that there are dogs there.

We went to Cornwall with our two cockers a couple of summers ago. I was very annoyed with the national trust, whose lovely 2 dog cottage we rented, because in none of the brochure blurb did they mention that all the safe beaches were no dogs from 7 to 7. As dogs couldn't be left unattended in the house or obv in a vehicle, the only choice was a dangerous beach or holidaying on a rota, with one person staying behind at all times. I complained, using their web feedback form, but of course they only ever publish 100% positive feedback. I have learned my lesson and would never go to Cornwall on holiday now as a dog owner. Hopeless. Ironically a lot of the retailers were unusually dog friendly! I think they must get used to holidaying dog owners wandering about wondering what to do with themselves!

Figment it is possible to have a lovely holiday in Cornwall in the Summer with dogs and children. You just have to do your research first.

if people don't want to be with dogs, then go to a beach where they are not allowed - surely that's obvious? Don't go to a dog-friendly beach and moan that there are dogs there.

But Wandawitch, just because a beach is dog friendly it shouldn't mean dogs should be able to do what they want. I refer back to the dogs peeing on our tent, and others nicking our picnic and children's toys. This is just antisocial and all we get from the owners is, "oh sorry, you know what dogs are like".

Doris there was nowhere within reasonable driving distance of our cottage (helston as I recall). Indeed we had one of those memorable holiday moments on a "dogs allowed" beach we managed to find when a local resident warned my DD away from the water' sedge because it was an underwater sheer drop with a cave underneath and a rip tide. It's off my list of safe child and dog free destinations I'm afraid.

Sorry I meant dog friendly - not dog free!!

I still can't understand why, as a dog owner, you didn't look at the beach guide for where you were staying . For this summer I found several likely cottages which were dog friendly and ruled them out because a)the gardens didn't look dog friendly (ie not well fenced) and b) the beaches nearby had too many restrictions.

As a dog owner, surely one knows that certain places are likely to be out of bounds. I can't see it was the National Trust's fault. Just the same as if a private individual had rented you a cottage which accepted dogs. Yes, dogs are ok in the cottage, but that doesn't mean that they are naturally accepted anywhere else within ten miles.

I live right by the beach, the majority of it is closed off to dogs but there's still a huge stretch that's there for you to let your dog have a good run. It's the owners responsibility to keep to the correct part

Figment - if you are ever tempted to try Cornwall again look at www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/dog-friendly.

Figment, try Northumberland. The best beaches in the country and no dog restrictions. Plus dogs welcome in most pubs. Perfect!

YANBU and at the same time YABU. I have no problem with dogs off lead but under control, I can't see why anyone would have an issue with that, but out of control dogs really annoy me.
We live in a country where is illegal for dogs to be off lead at all in public and this is strictly enforced. Where we live is remote enough that we rarely see anyone else with dogs though.

YANBU. I am on a beach in Cornwall right now and I have never seen so many dogs off lead as I have in the past few days. As many have said, no problem with well behaved dogs that have excellent recall but that isn't the case for all. Difficult for the animals as well as they need a good run around!

I was nearly in a nasty accident with an uncontrolled dog and my bike on Saturday (two dogs, same owner ), where I caused myself bruising to avoid hitting the dogs, which were 100 metres apart on a cycle track. Owner didn't care at all and I was quite shaken (they paused until the last moment then ran in front of me - did the same thing to my friend in front so fortunately I had slowed down, having seen this).