empty and unescapable beaches for dogs with bad recall

[DoggerelBank]

Anyone got any recommendations? We're after a beach where we can go with our rescue dog, off season, very early morning or late, with a chance of finding no one else there. Where we could let him off and be confident we'll get him back even though recall is very poor. So a steep-sided cove rather than sand dunes at the back.

We found Isle of Wight out of season brilliant for empty beaches and dog friendly pubs. I'd stick to the long line but Whitecliff Bay site has direct access to the beach and good walks. The nearby Propeller Inn and on site pub allow dogs in too.

The ferry has a dog friendly lounge on top floor or you can leave them in the car.

https://toddandgunncottageswasdale.co.uk/
Brock and Bramble cottages have high fences. Todd and Gunn original properties have lower fences but they have filled in the gaps between the slats now. Have stayed in Bramble so can say confidently the fences are nice and high. Brock is next door (can combine cottages if needed for larger groups). Brock has always been empty when we’ve stayed but do be aware the properties are right next to each other so dogs that get wound up by other dogs in the next garden might be an issue.
Seascale beach is a very short drive away and I can again confidently say that that beach is pretty deserted especially out of season, although no natural cliffs to provide a barrier. Truly dog friendly cottage, Sarah and her team really understand what it’s like to take all kinds of dogs away with you. They have a new property in Garrigill, Alston but that has no fences at all as it’s the Old Smithy on the village green (not seen that available yet, anyway).

@DoggerelBank try here. Friends of ours have been. Nearby beaches but also enclosed dog park on site too.

www.facebook.com/brechfaforestbarns

Thank you so much! Even my cautious DH is saying that one or two of these cottages might work. Hooray! Any other suggestions very welcome too. Looks as though we may have years of very restricted holidays ...

There’s also Seaview, Port Mulgrave TS13 5LG. We haven’t stayed there yet but it’s near Runswick Bay on the Yorkshire coast. Can find the details on Facebook. They also have a property just outside of Kirkby Stephen, where you can’t stay unless you have a dog/s.
It’s a bit of a mission to find truly dog friendly properties! Owners who actively welcome dogs rather than just tolerate them tend to have dogs of their own (often rescues, I’ve found).

I can't take my dog, who ironically has good trained solid recall, on holiday anywhere near a beach due to the constant bombardment by untrained off lead dogs with no recall and bad manners, so she stays at home with a sitter.

Please don't do it.

Abererch beach is lovely - really long and very quiet, even in peak holiday season. If there are people at the entrance, turn left and keep walking. It soon becomes deserted: https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/abererch-beach

There are plenty of others in the Llyn Peninsula but Abererch is a real favourite as it's so quiet.

https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/north-wales/gwynedd/dogs-allowed

Yes, we've established that it'll be long line only.

https://www.dioni.co.uk/cottage/capel-bach <- we've stayed here before with our dogs and the garden was secure. The property next door is also a holiday let with a secure garden.

Dawlish, Budleigh Salterton, and part of goodrington sands in Devon are dog friendly all year round

Great, preventing your dog escaping is only really only one of the considerations.

I'm in the situation where my holidays are really hampered because of other people's lack of thought, so I do understand where you're coming from on that front.

Why don't you just get your dog professionally trained?

We went to Brecha Forest barns once - if your dog is at all sheep reactive it is not suitable as your dog is nose to nose with them through the stock fencing. Dogs are also not allowed upstairs, or allowed to be left. Just fyi

You have no idea how much I wish it was that simple! All the professionals we've worked with say he'll never have great recall so while the training continues we're trying to come to terms with the reality of what we've taken on.

I’m sure you’re doing just fine with him @DoggerelBank , don’t rise to comments like “just get him professionally trained”. You’ve taken on a rescue dog, not an 8 week old pup and you’re doing your best by him. I mean, can’t get more flexible and proactive than saying you’ll travel anywhere in the country out of season to find him a suitable beach! I hope you find somewhere you can all enjoy yourselves.

@SpamhappyTootsie Thank you!

It's unfair to judge that I was trying to get a rise.

It was a genuine question which hadn't been asked elsewhere in the thread

Ok @Seriouslynonono , that wasn’t my intention. I’m sure OP had already thought of that, though.
I don’t think it’s unfair to judge that you could have phrased that question better - “have you had any professional input into the recall issues?” for instance. OP’s obviously doing her best and time/space in a low demand or distraction environment can be part of recall training.

You shouldnt be letting a dog off lead in an open space until you have fixed the recall issue.

Have you bothered to read the thread or just cancelled the cheque?

We find the Lincolnshire coast extremely dog friendly, the beaches continue for miles so you’re not forced to all share the same space of alcove type beaches.

I’d say the long lead is a necessity though, just because of the fact that all beaches have a beach access back up to roads etc and if they escape into the countryside it will be incredibly difficult to get them back if their recall is as bad as you say, and if it’s not a familiar place to them there’s no telling where they will end up.

my friend had a rescue dog and it escaped from the garden within a day of having him.. he stayed in the farmers fields around the area but it took 3 days to actually get him back, and that’s only after he ran down a dual carriageway and by complete fluke got stuck in someone’s garden!

Until the recall is consistent it’s not worth the risk, or if there is any risk of escape, at least get a tracker collar so you can see where they’ve gone!

Longline experts -- my line was fine for our old dog but seems on the short side for the current little escape artist. What length would you suggest?

@KittiesInsane mine are 25m long for the 27kg dog. Woven material like a rachet strap, never anything like PVC.

Thank you! New dog is only going to make about 11kg wringing wet, so I didn't want to overload her, but I think our line needs to be longer.

Tentsmuir in Fife