The Ultimate Guide To Beach Etiquette For Dogs In New Zealand

There’s no better place to be than exploring a beautiful New Zealand beach with your dog. But it’s also important to remember that there’s a code of etiquette to follow when you’re having fun together.

So, let’s explore how you can make the most of your time on New Zealand’s beautiful beaches – all while being a responsible beachgoer.

1. Check Out The Rules

Every beach has its own set of rules, and for good reason. Because there’s a clear procedure to be followed at each location, it’s important to carefully read the signs – and follow their instructions to the letter.

2. Always Keep An Eye On Your Dog

This is vital. Even if you think your dog will behave ideally in every possible situation, it’s highly possible (or at least somewhat possible) they’ll do something they shouldn’t. Dogs are excitable, and there are few places more exciting than a beach. So, watch them like a hawk at all times, and don’t let them wander too far off.

3. Keep A Lead Handy

This is a great companion to Point 2. If your dog’s running around excitedly, they’ll probably rejoice at the chance to get away from you. For that reason, it’s important to keep a lead with you, and attach it to your dog if they’re likely to do a runner. (Remember, even if you’re on an off-lead beach, you may need to use the lead if your dog’s simply too excited on the day – so pack one just in case.!) If your puppy doesn’t know how to walk on a lead yet, that’s no worries – we’ve written an article that tells you everything you need to know about teaching them the basics of this essential skill in no time.

4. Pick Up Your Dog’s Poo

Stepping in dog poo is guaranteed to ruin every beachgoer’s day … so make sure you’re always carrying doggy bags with you, and do the right thing.

Also, being prepared is very important. Yes, there are many beaches with dog bags available for your use – but when you really need one, you can’t be 100% sure they’ll be there. That’s why you should always bring your own supply of dog bags to the beach, so you’ll never be in danger of being caught short when you really need one.

5. Teach Your Dog Commands Before You Go

Seeing a dog frolicking along a beach is one of the purest expressions of joy. But remember – all the other people and animals on the beach deserve peace of mind, too! That’s why you owe it to everyone else to make sure your dog knows some basic commands before you both hit the sand.

It doesn't have to be anything too fancy, either – just enough to make sure they won’t get out of your control. ‘Heel’, ‘stop’, and ‘come’ are good basic commands to start off with, because they’ll go a long way towards preventing your pooch from running off into the wild sandy yonder to cause all sorts of chaos.

6. Scan for Wildlife

When you’re scouting a new environment to check whether it’s safe, make sure there isn’t any wildlife that might cause problems when interacting with your dog. Wildlife doesn’t always behave predictably (and may be scared of your dog’s enthusiasm), so make sure the coast is clear before you go for it.

And that leads us to…

7. Keep Away From Coastal Creatures

Beaches are havens for coastal creatures, and your dog may try to get as close as possible to them. So, to keep your dog and other animals safe from your dog’s attention, keep a respectable distance from all the wildlife and coastal creatures that you see on the beach.

If you and your dog are about to enjoy a session at one of New Zealand’s fine beaches, there are several critters you may encounter.

Here’s a list of the coastal-dwelling animals you’re likely to come across.

Auckland

New Zealand fairy tern/tara iti (a small endangered native bird)
Brown teal/pāteke (a native species of dabbling duck)
Fur seal/kekeno (a medium-sized seal, often found on rocky shores)
New Zealand dotterel/tūturiwhatu (a native beach-dwelling plover)

Otago

New Zealand sea lion/rāpoka/whakahao (one of the world’s rarest sea lion species)
Yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho (an endangered penguin species native to New Zealand)
Little penguin/kororā (the smallest penguin, found around the New Zealand coast)
Fur seal/kekeno

Wellington

Little penguin/kororā
Fur seal/kekeno
Other species of seals.

Tips for Taking Your Dog To The Beach

When taking your dog along for a New Zealand beach adventure, there are several things you should remember to help them have a great time while staying safe and responsible.

Bring along a toy – This will help your dog stay engaged and focused on you … rather than disappearing over the nearest horizon whenever they find something they’d really like to chase.

Bring plenty of water – To prevent your dog from drinking seawater, which they’ll be tempted to do, remember to take a generous supply of fresh water with you. (Sometimes there’s fresh water available at the beach, but you can’t count on it.)

Bring a towel – Your dog could get cold quite quickly if they’re wet for too long. To prevent this, take a towel and dry them immediately after they’ve come out of the water.

Bring food and treats – Running along the beach is surprisingly tiring work for a dog, so make sure they have the sustenance they need to power through the day.

Give them a clean afterwards – There’s a lot of stuff your dog can pick up from running along the beach, including sand, bugs, and bits of seaweed. So before you get them in the car, it’s a great idea to get them clean first – a wash and a brush should do the trick. (You can always give them a proper bath when you get home.)

Toxic Objects To Look Out For On The Beach

The beach may be idyllic, but it’s also home to many things that could hurt you or your dog. Here’s a list of things to keep clear of when you’re exploring together.

Bluebottles – These stinging jellyfish can harm dogs easily, because their poison stays around for a long time. Resist the temptation to poke or stand on a beached bluebottle, as this will release the poison.

Pufferfish (or blowfish) – These can cause muscle paralysis, with a resultant inability to breathe. They’re toxic to both dogs and humans, so stay well away.

Sea Slugs – These are highly toxic to dogs and people alike, and have caused the deaths of several dogs on Auckland beaches in recent years. Even a small amount of the toxin present in sea slugs is enough to kill a human (or dog).

Katipo Spider (sand dunes around beaches) – If bitten by one of these, you (or your dog) need to get to a hospital immediately to receive antivenom.

If you or your dog are stung by any of these creatures, dial 111 (New Zealand’s emergency telephone number) immediately and ask for assistance. You’ll receive instructions on the best course of action to take.

Which Of New Zealand’s Beaches Are Dog-Friendly?

New Zealand’s one of the luckiest places on earth when it comes to beaches that are perfect for dogs. And while there are too many great ones to list, there are some standouts that will richly reward your time spent running along the golden sands with your eager canine companion at your side.

Here's a small selection (and it’s only a handful, because there’s such an incredible wealth of options) of the very greatest dog beaches in New Zealand. Yes, we know this is likely to cause a few arguments … but that’s what best-of lists are for, right?

Takapuna Beach, Auckland
Island Bay Beach, Wellington
Orewa Beach, Auckland
Worser Bay Beach, Wellington
Tahunanui Beach, Nelson.

For more detailed information about New Zealand’s best dog-friendly beaches (as well as a bunch of beaches that we couldn't fit in the Top Five), read our articles on the best dog-friendly beaches in Auckland and the best dog-friendly beaches in Wellington for beach-related fun with your dog.

With all these tips about staying safe and being responsible on New Zealand’s beaches with your significant (non-human) other, you’ve got everything you need to have the time of your life together in the most inspiring coastal settings imaginable.