We all want to treat our fur babies to outdoor adventures, and they deserve the best beaches and parks that New Zealand has to offer! However, there are certain rules and etiquettes that must be followed to maintain a worry-free, fun experience for everyone involved. Continue reading to find out how to demonstrate good pet etiquette and ensure that you and your pet make the most of your outdoor adventures!

Check out the rules

One of the most important things to do when arriving at a beach or park is to check out the leash laws. There’s typically a sign by the area’s entrance and this is where you’ll find all the necessary guidelines and restrictions relating to your lovable companion. Some reserves or beaches will have designated areas to allow your furry friend to venture off-leash, but you must read the signs carefully to ensure your dog and other surrounding pets aren’t put in harm’s way. Check out Pet Boutique’s hand-picked walking spots for ideas on where to take your furry best friend!

Be prepared

As a dog parent, it is your responsibility to be prepared whenever you and your pup leave the house, especially if you’re heading to a beach or reserve. This includes doggy clean up bags and water. Thinking ahead and being prepared will help ensure that your pup has the best experience possible while allowing you to avoid stressful situations. While some parks provide a tap for free water, it’s not always accessible, so stay vigilant and cautious by bringing along your own!  

Pick up after your dog

It is a universally recognised rule to pick up after your dog has pooped! This ensures that surrounding visitors don’t have any messy encounters and helps keep the environment clean. It’s always a good idea to be respectful of your surroundings and others by picking up your dog’s waste in a timely manner. Some parks offer doggy bags for this exact reason but it’s ideal to be prepared and bring your own. Don’t forget to also dispose of the waste appropriately! If there are no bins around, hold onto it until you find one. The environment takes care of us and we need to do the same by showing care and respect.

Watch out for wildlife

Watching your pup run around without a care in the world is usually a wholesome and peaceful scene, but we need to make sure they’re not digging up any nests or disturbing the natural habitat in a significant way. We all know how much our dogs love to dig around and sometimes it’s hard for us to notice that they’re digging where they shouldn’t be! Therefore, it’s important to keep an eye on your pup – this keeps them out of harm’s way and allows the environment around them to continue to thrive.

Teach them commands

Off-leash adventures give your pup the opportunity to roam around and burn off their extra energy, but it also means there’s a chance they’ll run into (or try to run through) other pups and people. Try teaching your furry friend a few verbal commands to put them in their place when they start acting a little too chaotic. A few short commands such as “come here” or “stop” will go a long way in making sure that everyone stays safe and has a good time.

Clean your pup off

After an exciting day of splashing at the beach or running around at the park, it’s always a good idea to clean your pup’s coat of any visible mud, bugs, or anything else. This will ensure they don’t feel itchy and makes for a cleaner ride home! Your dog isn’t always able to let you know when they’re uncomfortable, so it’s up to you to take that extra caring step to make their life easy and worry-free.

Outdoor adventures await you!

Thanks to our experts at Pet Boutique and our trusty Product Tester, Leo, we’re happy to send you off with a range of doggy guidelines and a crash-course on beach and park etiquette! We wish you the very best adventures with your lovable companion and can’t wait to see all your pups splashing in the mud and water!