Taking your dog swimming? Three cities, many choices
By Yona Zeldis McDonough for WebVet
Swimming is a great way to spice up your dog's exercise routine. Below is information about swimming options in three major cities. When taking a dog to the beach, always carry a leash and keep the dog within sight. Don’t let dogs into areas set aside for birds or other wildlife. Dogs should not be allowed to dig, destroy park property or bother other beachgoers. Water safety is vital to both you and your dog when swimming in either natural or man-made swimming places.
New York City
Check out the Dog Beach in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Paved and fenced so that dogs can’t swim too deep, it’s a pretty – and safe – spot for a dog to take a dip.
According to a recent article posted on Urbanhound.com, the New York City-area beaches listed below are open to dogs, but none has an official sanction. To avoid getting ticketed, go during the off-season, or early in the morning.
- Jamaica Bay, Gateway National Recreation Area, Brooklyn and Queens
- Floyd Bennet Field
- Fort Tilden, a 317-acre park toward the end of the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens
- Gravesend Bay Beaches, Coney Island, Brooklyn
- Great Kills Park, Staten Island
- Francis Lewis Park, Queens
There’s also indoor swimming for dogs. A pool at The Dog Run NYC, 136 Ninth Avenue, is available for both canine hydrotherapy and recreational swimming. A half-hour semiprivate session is $40. Open swim, Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., is $15 for a half hour or $25 for an hour.
Chicago
Chicago and its northern suburbs have beaches set aside for dogs; here’s a list of some to explore:
- Belmont Harbor Dog Beach
- Beck Lake Dog Friendly Area
- Centennial Dog Beach
- Evanston Dog Beach
- Gillson Park Dog Beach
- Independence Grove
- Lakefront Park and Lakefront Beach
- Montrose Dog Beach
- Moraine Park and Beach
- Prairie Wolf Dog Exercise Area
- Sunrise Beach
- Terrace View Park
Dog owners should be wary of lake waters that may be contaminated by bacteria, gasoline leaking from boats, rough waters, and incurring fines for an expired permit. Indoor options in the Windy City include Canine Empire and Pooch Chicago, though both are restricted to members of the daycare facilities where they are located.
San Francisco
Water-loving dogs in the Bay area have to contend with increasingly strict leash-law enforcement, dangerous currents, and contaminated water. But here is a list of beaches where a dog can get his paws wet.
- Carmel City Beach
- Crissy Field
- Dillon Beach Resort
- Esplanade Beach
- Fort Funston
- Garland Ranch Regional Park
- Ocean Beach
- Pet Camp's Dog Pool
- Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Park
Also, if you are not very sure that your dog is a good swimmer, you can teach your pooch to paddle. Even for experienced swimmers, a life vest for extra precaution is a good idea. Also remember to put sunscreen on your dog when swimming on sunny days. When it comes to dogs and swimming, always remember that safety comes first.
Reviewed by Amy I. Attas, V.M.D.
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Article last reviewed - 8/1/2009
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