Arthritis in dogs is a common condition, especially in...
Taking your dog to the beach can be the highlight of the day, especially if your dog loves the water. We’ve all seen videos of dogs surfing with their owners, dogs running into the surf to retrieve a ball, or just plain having a blast splashing in the water. If you’re lucky enough to live near a beach, or you and your best friend are visiting on vacation, hitting a dog beach is a great way for you and your Alpena, MI, dog to get some fun in the surf and sand.
Locating a dog beach in the US is fairly easy by going online and searching state-by-state listings of dog-friendly beaches, and dog owners can find beaches that allow dogs on leash as well as off-leash. However, before you hit the water, you may want to know what makes a beach dog friendly.
Six things that make a good dog-friendly beach
Enclosed area
First and foremost is safety, and a good dog beach is enclosed with fencing so that dogs cannot escape and run into traffic, or bother sunbathers or other beachgoers on other parts of a beach. As with many dog parks, there should be a two-tiered entrance area where you can safely enter with your dog, and if the beach is off-leash, you can release Fido to run free and frolic.
No glass allowed
The last thing dog owners want is for their best friend to cut his foot on broken glass or a beer bottle, so glass mustn’t be allowed on the beach.
Clean
An ideal dog beach is clean and free of litter, trash, and dog poo. There must be no articles left on the premises that can cause harm to you or your pooch.
Poop depositories
Just as with dog parks, it’s ideal for a dog beach to provide trash bins for dog poop disposal as well as poop bags.
Soft sand surface
Just as important as a clean play area, your dog needs to have a soft sandy surface to run and play on.
Shade
One of the reasons people go to the beach is to escape the heat. An ideal dog beach will provide shaded areas for you and your pooch, as well as benches and chairs where owners can relax.
Know the rules
Another thing to consider when looking for a dog beach is knowing the rules. Since most public beaches restrict dogs or require dogs to be on a leash, it can be a challenge to find a beach where dogs can run free and cool off in the water. Some public beaches allow dogs only during the winter months or off-season or restrict dogs to only certain times of the day. Other beaches designate a fenced-off part of the beach where dogs are allowed.
Find an off-leash dog beach
Some beaches offer dedicated areas where dogs are allowed to run off-leash and swim and play in the surf. Internet research can help in locating a dog-friendly beach.
Safety tips for taking your dog to the beach
The beach is a wonderful place to spend time with your dog, and most dogs love playing on the sand and in the water, but it’s important to be careful of potential pet hazards. Below are some tips on how to keep your best friend safe at the beach.
No Saltwater
Cool ocean water can be tempting to a dog, but don’t let him drink the seawater because that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration
Keep Watch
Never leave your dog unattended and be aware that rocks, hooks, broken glass, and trash can pose a danger to your dog
Stay Linked
Keep your dog on a leash where required
A Little Lower, Please
Keep your dog under voice control when off-leash
Leave No Mess
Always clean up after your dog
Socialize Before Unleashing
Make sure that your dog is socialized enough to play off-leash with other dogs
Hydrated and Cool
When taking your dog to the beach, make sure there is plenty of fresh water and shade
Lather Up
Dogs can get sunburned just like humans, so limit your dog’s exposure to the hot sun and apply pet appropriate sunscreen to his ears and nose before going outside (this is especially important for pink-skinned dogs)
Watch for Fatigue
Swimming is fun for dogs, but ensure that your best friend doesn’t get too tired. Running on a beach is a strenuous exercise, but if your dog is out of shape, don’t encourage him to run on the sand.
Hot Sand Hurts Them, Too
Be careful not to let your dog spend too much time on hot sand or asphalt as he can burn his paw pads
Be Informed
Keep in touch with lifeguards about daily water conditions like riptides, sharks, or jellyfish
Common beach etiquette for dog owners
Dogs should be on a leash at all times if required
Take your dog home at the first sign of unfriendly behavior, or if he is acting aggressively towards other dogs
Supervise your dog at all times
All dogs should be fully vaccinated and healthy
Females in estrus/heat should probably stay home
Pick up and dispose of dog waste
Ready to Go to a Dog-Friendly Beach in Alpena, MI?
Taking your best friend to the beach should be a fun and safe activity that you can both enjoy, but always remember that safety comes first.
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Dr. Heidi was born and raised right here in Alpena, MI. She earned her B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University and her DVM from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. She lived and practiced in Madison, WI until moving back to Alpena in 2015. Dr. Heidi has four children: two girls and two boys as well as several pets, which include two dogs (a Labrador and a golden retriever), two rescue cats who are sisters, a chinchilla, and a tortoise named Concave Dave.
Dr. Brandi Stone is thrilled to be back at Sunrise Veterinary Services! Many of our longtime clients may remember her from her early days with us as a veterinary assistant during her undergraduate years. After graduating from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019, Dr. Stone gained critical experience working in emergency medicine at a 24-hour clinic in Pennsylvania.
She has a strong passion for emergency and critical care, ultrasound, and surgery, and brings both expertise and compassion to every case she handles. When she’s not caring for patients, Dr. Stone loves being outdoors. Her favorite pastimes include hiking with her dogs, paddle boarding, reading, gardening, and even beekeeping. Her pack of pets keeps life extra fun and adventurous: Gunner, a loyal Labrador Retriever and her very best hiking buddy, Gabby, a Bluetick Coonhound who enjoys coon and squirrel hunting — and isn’t shy about baying at Starbucks baristas for her pup cup, Penny, a spirited Chihuahua who may be small, but can hike 4–5 miles right alongside the big dogs, and AJ, another Bluetick Coonhound who begs for lettuce from the fridge and excels in the field as an outstanding coon dog. Dr. Stone is proud to call Northeastern Michigan home again and is excited to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones — both human and furry!
Dr. Larissa Digue was born and raised in a small town in Brazil, where her passion for animals led her to begin veterinary school in 2011. In 2014, she joined a study abroad program at Michigan State University, where she took courses in veterinary medicine and animal science. She returned to Brazil to complete her degree and graduated in 2017. Dr. Digue is fully licensed in the United States through the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) program. She has a special interest in surgery and is committed to delivering compassionate and thorough care to every patient she sees.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys reading, hiking, and working out. She shares her home with her husband and their Standard Poodle, Buck, who is incredibly smart, loves the beach, and never turns down a game of fetch. Dr. Digue is proud to be part of the Sunrise Veterinary Services team and looks forward to building strong connections with pets and their families in Northeast Michigan.
Dr. Kaydee Berg is a proud 2025 graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned the Merck Excellence Award for her commitment to exceptional veterinary care. She previously graduated Cum Laude from Alma College in 2020, earning a degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and a Pre-Veterinary concentration. Dr. Berg has special interests in preventative medicine, internal medicine, and ophthalmology, and she’s passionate about working closely with pet owners to support their animals’ long-term health and well-being.
When she’s not in the clinic, Dr. Berg enjoys reading, painting, traveling, and spending time outdoors — especially with her dog Newton (“Newt”), an Irish Doodle with Addison’s Disease. Newt joined her during her second year of vet school and is now her loyal adventure buddy, always ready for a hike or a car ride. Dr. Berg is excited to bring her enthusiasm, expertise, and compassion to the Sunrise Veterinary Services team and to care for pets throughout Northeast Michigan.
