Let’s be honest, not everyone is a dog person. I, however, am definitely a dog person! We have a cowboy corgi (corgi + blue heeler mix) that LOVES the beach. She loves her morning walks and anytime someone has a boat around, expect her to jump on with you. During the off season we have a lot of fun walking the beach, spending the day by the water and she likes to dig in the sand. During the summer, that’s a different story. If you don’t get up early to walk then it will be way too hot for her little paws.
Tips & Tricks for your dog at & on the Beach:
- Do not walk your dog when the sidewalk is hot! They will burn their paw pads and that can result in a very expensive vet bill. I usually walk our pup either before 7am and/or after 8pm during the summer months.
- Keep a water bowl and water with you when you are out walking! You want to keep your dog hydrated. I bought this one from Amazon and let me tell you, it is one of my favorite Amazon purchases. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086PG15XM/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_6?smid=APC0DJ72DZ4LY&psc=1
- Buy a life jacket for your dog. Even if they are great swimmers, anything can happen at anytime! We are horrible about this and recently had a MAJOR scare with our sweet girl. Needless to say, we bought a life jacket for her as soon as it happened. She will not be riding the boat or out on the dock without one from now on. We were the people that thought “this could never happen to her.” Better safe than sorry!
- Protect your dog from heat exhaustion and always keep shade and water handy if you are at a dog friendly beach during the summer, make sure that the sand is not too hot for their paws! This can also cause paw pad burning and an expensive vet bill!
- Be a respectful dog owner and BRING THE POOP BAGS! I have had to use a sandwich bag before when I forgot mine out on the beach but I still made sure I cleaned up after our pup! Be respectful to others. I LOVE Earth Rated poop bags because they are biodegradable! I have linked the ones I buy off of Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Rated-Lavender-Scented-Completely/dp/B00BSYR7K8/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=beach%2Bpoop%2Bbags&qid=1655640637&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFJWDdROUNCTjI5UlUmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4NjI1NjQxNUxWN1RNQUhORE5IJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxMDEwNjIzVDgwSzlBM1dFTDFSJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1
- Dogs can get sunburnt! Make sure that they are always protected from the sun.
- WATCH WHAT YOUR DOG IS EATING! Your dog does not need to ingest any sand. Sand sits in your dog’s intestinal tract and can cause major problems.
Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach Dog Rules:
- Dogs are only allowed on the beach strand before 9am and after 6pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Dogs must be on leashes at all time
- There is a pooper-scooper ordinance (and honestly, this is just being a respectful dog owner)
Dogs are permitted year-round as long as they are leashed on Oak Island beaches.
Stay Salty my friends! 
OIB Saltwater Cowgirl