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Original poster

A question about dog friendly beaches

150 replies

SusieOwl4 · 08/04/2019 20:21

If you had a child that was obviously terrified of dogs would you take them to a dog friendly beach ?

Just asking because I had an experience that made me feel embarrassed and stressed . My dog is a lovely dog and having training but does get a bit over excited . We were on a dog friendly beach with him on a lead and lots of other doggy people with all their dogs running about said to let him off . So I did and he was fine coming back every time I called him. He played in the water and with other dogs . Then I saw him running to my right towards a family on the beach . I immediately called him and he came back to me and I put him back on the lead. But in those few seconds the girl was picked up by the father and was literally screaming and the mother was waving and shouting at my dog . Trust me I was mortified and almost in tears even though my dog had probably not got within 40 feet of them . But the child screaming obviously meant she was petrified of dogs and trust me there were a lot of dogs on the beach . And before you say yes I am taking my dog for more refresher training and I do feel bad .

OP posts:
Lifeover · 08/04/2019 23:03

They are idiots for going on a dog friendly beach. Why do that when so many ban dogs. It’s quite clear your dog was no where near them but they think the world revolves around their phobias.

The trouble with making so few beaches dog friendly is that the ones which are get overrun with dogs packed into small spaces. It’s strange that in the winter months when dog walkers are quite often the only people on there the beaches are a lot cleaner than in the summer months when dogs are banned. I have never seen dog poo on a beach yet.

RSAcre · 08/04/2019 23:04

RSAcre. I'm sorry but the onus is in the dog owner to control the dog. That is what the law says,

@MarieG10

Please don't misunderstand - it's possible to have your dog under control AND teach this little training game. One does not exclude the other.
Usually it has been to help/reassure/covertly train parents who are giving off (understandable - my last dog was huge) nervous vibes. Teaching the kid, who usually wanted to pet Big Handsome Dog, a game which gave them ACTUAL POWER over a dog (my dog would demonstrate the result for them) helped the confidence of both kid & parent.

whitesoxx · 08/04/2019 23:41

@FenellaMaxwell if the dog was in a box on the train fair enough. That story is ridiculous. However, I would hate that dog coming near me. Absolutely hate it.

Why are you assuming it's about size? ConfusedAngry

FenellaMaxwell · 09/04/2019 00:32

@whitesoxx I mention the size to illustrate that from the other end of the carriage, with the dog in a carrier, she wouldn’t be able to see it. The dog isn’t going to be able to “come near you” if it’s peacefully say in a corner of the train, inside a carrier, being held by its owner who is also peacefully sitting there.

afteralongday · 09/04/2019 08:54

As far as I know dogs are not allowed off lead unless they are under the owner's control. That's the law, I believe.

whitesoxx · 09/04/2019 09:02

As I said, fair enough if it's in a box but this thread is about dogs off the lead. And you are referring to your dog like he's small and harmless.

He's not to some people.

echt · 09/04/2019 09:05

As far as I know dogs are not allowed off lead unless they are under the owner's control. That's the law, I believe

Dogs are expected to be under the control of their owners at all times, on or off lead. This is not the same as what you said.

www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/controlling-your-dog-public

echt · 09/04/2019 09:08

And you are referring to your dog like he's small and harmless.He's not to some people

FFS please read the circumstances of Fenella's post about the circumstances of a person's "encounter" with her dog in a box out sight.

whitesoxx · 09/04/2019 09:19

I've said it's fine in the box 🤷🏽‍♀️

whitesoxx · 09/04/2019 09:20

Just don't want her thinking it's ok to run over to me in different circumstances just because he's small and furry

FenellaMaxwell · 09/04/2019 09:52

Where did I even vaguely imply I intended to let my dog run over to you? Confused

JMoore · 09/04/2019 10:12

I have a dog of the small, white and fluffy variety (a Coton de Tulear, to be specific). She is an absolute child magnet, but still there are some who are afraid of her. I am always glad when I see a parent who is trying to manage their child's fear. My DD was nervous around dogs when she was small, and we practiced the whole 'stand still, don't look at the dog' thing. It worked really well because it put her in control and she became very confident around dogs. She was the first one in the family to ask (pester us) for a dog!

We live in Germany now, which is very dog-friendly. So, anyone who doesn't like to see dogs on trains, in shops or in restaurants might find it difficult here. In general though, people here are very good about controlling their dogs and also about picking up after them. Last year we went to the North Sea, to an area that had a dog beach - a designated area, where dogs were allowed. There was one part for on-leash dogs and another for off-leash, both clearly separated from the main beach (no dogs allowed there) with fences and signs. Everyone on that stretch of beach had at least one dog. It was absolutely brilliant!

BloodyDisgrace · 09/04/2019 10:17

I wonder how is one to know if a certain beach is dog friendly? Are there notices to this effect?

BertrandRussell · 09/04/2019 10:20

“I wonder how is one to know if a certain beach is dog friendly? Are there notices to this effect?”

There are always signs. And dog owners should look for them.

BloodyDisgrace · 09/04/2019 10:28

RSAcre good advice to show a random dog who's the boss. I do wonder though that, say, a jogger or someone on a bicycle won't be able to perform this trick. But should be ok for a walker. Plus an owner doing their bit of course.
[I am no longer fearful of dogs thanks to some nice ones who were very kind and affectionate towards me; I am only activated by anti-cat people, and especially those of them who are dog owners and allow their dogs to chase cats - these have to be washed off the surface of the earth with a powerful jet of cat piss but everyone else is fine]

BloodyDisgrace · 09/04/2019 10:29

Bertrand, I see. Thank you.

WatchingTheWheels85 · 09/04/2019 10:31

I don't like dogs at all, we live in pembrokeshire so spend every nice evening and day at the beach. We only go to beaches with a dog ban.

BlueSlipperSocks · 09/04/2019 10:33

You and your dog did nothing wrong. Your dog became a bit excited but recalled before reaching the dog hating family.

We will soon be at that time of year when people will congregate in droves to the beach, for a few days, when the sun comes out. They will leave all their rubbish for dog walkers, who walk the beaches every day of the year, to clear up.

Beaches are much nicer places when there's no sun to coax the rabble out!

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/britains-beaches-parks-countryside-left-12499829

AnemoneAnenome · 09/04/2019 10:39

OP it sounds to me like you had your dog under excellent control and have nothing to feel bad about.

I'm terrible with dogs as is one of my children. We still go to parks - it would be ridiculous not to - so I can't berate these parents for going to a dog friendly beach with very similar rules.

I'm sure I would cuddle my child if they screamed and jumped up on me in fear. But what I'd be saying in her ear is "wow what a clever dog, she went straight back when she was called, she must have worked really hard on her training" etc.

InACheeseAndPickle · 09/04/2019 13:05

Phobia of dogs is a real thing my dniece has it and she's not a snowflake. However we wouldn't take her to a dog friendly beach. It annoys me a bit when people take their dogs to beaches where they're explicitly banned as it ruins dniece's day but I'd never complain in a park/beach/wherever where a dog is allowed to play.

CalmDownPacino · 09/04/2019 13:07

Exactly BlueSlipperSocks. Well bloody said!

The absolute filth left by PEOPLE on beaches is astounding.

havingtochangeusernameagain · 09/04/2019 13:23

I would not take my child to a dog-friendly beach if they were scared of dogs.

However, I still expect dogs on all beaches to be under control, and I also expect them not to be on beaches that are not dog-friendly.

A dog-friendly beach means you can take your dog there. It does not mean that it can inconvenience others on the beach. Not that I like beaches anyway.

BarbarianMum · 09/04/2019 13:23

Is it that easy to find a dog-free beach in April? I thought most are only dog free May-Sept.

HBStowe · 09/04/2019 13:34

YANBU. Any parent who takes a kid who is that afraid of dogs to a dog-friendly beach is failing their child tbh. Dog-free beaches exist, and children who are afraid should be helped to overcome their fear in a way that doesn’t involve plunging them into a situation they’re terrified of.

HBStowe · 09/04/2019 13:35

Also if you think that a dog being within 40 feet of you is inconveniencing you, you must let me know where you live so I can pay my tributes to the centre of the universe appropriately.