Hello all... it's such a lovely sunny Bank Holiday here today.. and I'd love to take Bob and my little boy to the beach.... But I'm worried... 1. It'll be manic, dogs and kids everywhere.. keeping and eye on both of them will be hard (as it's just me going) 2. Bob will PULL me all the way from where I park the car to the beach.. I know he will. Which will mean I can't let him off the lead when we get there won't it? 3. It's May so there will be more restrictions on where we can and can't go on the beach, and I don't know even which beach we'd be allowed on. All the items above means I'll be stressing and won't relax so I'm tempted to leave it totally. But then I think sunny day, dog and child... the beach would be perfect. It's why we got Bob, for days like this. Seems silly to hide away from it all?! Am I being silly? Lou x
Re: Beach?? A busy May bank holiday beach, a boisterous young Labrador that hasn't yet learned how to walk on a lead, and a small child to look after... sounds like a nightmare. Taking Bob to the beach when it's quieter, and you have time to work on loose lead and on Bob learning how to be sensible on a beach (so someone else to do childcare while you do puppy care) is a very good idea.
Re: Beach?? It's not being silly at all. I wouldn't go anywhere near a beach on a bank holiday during the day - with or without the dog! Sounds like a good idea to have some beach trips during quieter times and work on a bit of 1:1 training before adding in all the other distractions of a busy bank holiday.
Re: Beach?? When Sam was much younger and much more silly , I used to go to the beach either early morning or late afternoon , the excitement of masses of people ( especially children ) and dogs was just too much for him other wise , good luck, dogs love the beach
Re: Beach?? Yes we are lucky in that the beaches are quite local to us, so we can give or take them so to speak. We ended up staying at home and enjoyed the weather in the garden. Then we took Bob up the road to the gallops so he could have a run around. There were hardly any dogs around so it was quite pleasant and Bob behaved himself. Thanks for all your advice and opinions.. glad you didn't think I was being silly! Lou x
Re: Beach?? Not at all!!! Well done for considering what your dog can handle, and for adjusting your plans to something he can cope with and that's manageable for you too.
Re: Beach?? No. Far from being silly you were very sensible. It will take time and training before taking Bob to the beach is the pleasure you always dreamt of. Here in the Thames Valley it rained in the early evening and we had a lovely quiet walk with the worls to ourselves