[juniormylove]

So, two weeks from Sunday my family and I are going up to lake Huron for a week. We, of course, are taking Sadie. She goes on most vacations with us as my mom has a fear of leaving her at a kennel.

anyways...Sadie's been to the beach before, but it was always a slight struggle. I don't take her off the leash, but if we're both in the water and she leaps out, she pulls me along with her. I lost a flip lop to Lake Huron two years ago when she saw another dog and took off, dragging me along the rocks.

I don't think the dogs will be THAT much of an issue, since we've been seeing them more while out on our walks (which are going GREAT! but that's another thread), but I don't know what to do so that she can come and go in the water as she pleases, without immediately dragging me. I have a retractable leash which is like 16 ft long that I was thinking of using, so that I could hold it and she could move freely. But then the last one i had broke from the sand and stuff, so idk. I also have this REALLY REALLY long rope - it's probably close to 50ft. I've been using that to work on her "come" command, so she's used to being clipped to it. I guess I could tie that to her..? I'm not sure how I would hold onto it though, since I'd be in a bathing suit without any belt loops or anything...

That was longer then I meant. But basically, what do you guys do with your dogs when you take them to the beach? If my dad's there they she doesn't need to be on the leash at all, but he won't be there for most of the trip so..what leash set-ups do you use?

Thanks, and here's a picture of her for all your effort (:

[Tankstar]

Well what I do is let him off. But he doesnt wander and comes when called 110% of the time lol.


I would take the 50 foot leash and tie it to a table or tree. That way she can go in as she likes, you can still watch her so she wont run away and you wont get dragged

[Buckshot]

I don't take my dog to the beach.

I hate having dogs at the beach; they scare away birds, often aren't well-behaved, and their owners seem to rarely pick up after them.

I guess out of your options the flexi leash would be best as you'd have a little more control. You can't crate her in your cottage or w/e though?

[Rottiegirl]

Depends on the beach, depends on how many people are there.

Some don't allow dogs at all, so the dogs obviously don't go.

I trust my dogs off lead, so I don't worry about leashes unless there are alot of people around, other dogs, horseback riders, or leash laws.

[juniormylove]

well the beach I'm talking about isn't a public beach, so I'm not worried about annoying people or anything - just a little one down the street from the cottage. I guess I wasn't clear on that. We do leave Sadie in the cottage sometimes when we go down, but she comes with us most times.

i guess I'll just bring all forms of rope with me and see what I can figure out.

[rwinksters]

You can always make a loop at the end of the 50 foot leash and put it around your wrist or something... I wouldn't trust the retractable leash because they usually aren't very strong.
You could also work on her come command while she is at the beach. It'll be a great opportunity because of all the distractions that are around and everything.

[juniormylove]

With the retractable leash - I got one made for 100+lb dogs to be on the safe side (Sadie was 47 lbs at her last vet check) but I'm still a little iffy on that.

I'm planning to do that, if the beach is empty. and i remember to bring dog treats, lol.

[Fox Glove]

Ever tried a remote shock collar for her?

NOT my first choice for training, but when it comes down to the dogs safety, it may be worth a try.

Is she part or all Border?

[juniormylove]

we have an electric fence at home, but not a remote shock collar. the fence usually works, but even when it doesn't her yelping lets us know she's out of the yard

sadie is...hmm...her mom was BC/beagle, and the dad was supposed to be pure black lab. so...1/4 border?

[PyroTekNik333]

You could get a twenty foot lead made for hunting dogs, that's what I use with my beagle (she likes to run and I don't haha) I wouldn't trust those retractable leash deals, plus if I want to get her back I can get her in a lot quicker with the long lead than with a retractable.