With dog at the sea

The best destination for a trip with four-legged friends to the sea for us is always the Dutch North Sea coast. It can be reached quickly by car in only three hours from the Ruhr area. Another advantage: here our dogs Rosa, Erni, Rübe and Lola have unlimited access to the sea. At least from October to April. For our three dachshunds and the Labradoodle a great fun.

Keyword: Clean beach

Of course we always take dog excrement bags with us to the beach during the winter months. That should be a matter of course, we think. Unfortunately, not all dog owners see it like this and do not remove the legacies of their four-legged friends. Too bad! It is so uncomplicated to keep the beach clean. At the Dutch beaches there are enough waste containers, which make a hygienic disposal of the excrement bags quite uncomplicated.

Playing in the sand

Very important on the beach: the right toy. And also in dachshund size. Rübe thinks that she can also handle the perfect water toy for big dogs, the lighthouse. After all, dachshunds really don't suffer from a lack of self-confidence.

But for the sensitive dachshund spine, lighter toys like our ball nook heart are certainly the better choice.

Since the Labradoodle bitch Lola likes to swim in the sea, the lighthouse is the ideal toy for her. The lighthouse can be thrown very well and does not sink in the water. It dances funny on the waves. But not today. We have a towel with us. But the North Sea is too cold for a dog bath.

Hunting? - better not!

Many dog breeds have a pronounced hunting instinct and therefore love seagulls and other beach birds. If you are annoyed by the constant running after and rushing, you can easily control or stop the hunting with a long drag line made of saltwater-resistant biothane. In this case please put a harness on the dog. In this way you can avoid a too strong jerk on the collar and thus the neck vertebrae.

Beach birds do not leave of course also the dachshunds cold. However, dachshunds with their short legs are usually much too slow to be dangerous for a seagull. For Rosa it does not have to be a complete seagull. She also only plays with a seagull feather. It smells just as interesting.

Playing makes you thirsty

Romping around on the beach and the salty sea water make our dogs thirsty. That's why we always have one or more bottles of fresh water with us for the beach trip. Who is even a whole day with his dogs at the sea on the way, should absolutely take a travel bowl and sufficient food.

First and second aid

A towel also makes sense in your luggage. Especially when dogs with long fur like to swim. But not only for drying, but also for cleaning the paws. Sometimes it can come by glass shards or sharp mussel-shells to injuries at the balls. Those who want to be prepared for such accidents should always pack a small first aid kit. After the wound has been cleaned, a dog shoe in the appropriate size or a discarded baby sock protects the injured paw.

With the dog to the restaurant

The innkeepers in the beach pavilions on the Dutch coast are extremely dog-friendly. Even with several four-legged friends we get a good table after our extensive beach walk. But that also means that there are lots of other dogs under the tables of the other guests. Potential stress for the four-legged friends and us. So that the dachshunds and the Labradoodle can retreat, relax or even sleep a little after our "day at the sea", we always put a travel blanket or fake fur on the floor. If possible a little away from the gastronomic hustle and bustle like here directly at the window.

Our checklist for the perfect day by the sea:

• Fresh water (travel drink bottle)
• Food (travel bowl)
• Wind/rain jacket and sweater in autumn or winter
• Parasol or sun cream (for babies) in summer
• Dog pharmacy and first aid kit
• Dog shoe or baby sock for injured paws (caused by sharp shells, broken glass)
• Toys (in the right size)
• Excrement bags
• Towel, blanket, fur
• Towing line (for dogs with hunting drive)