Out and about with dogs

[Guest Andrew Family]

Wasn't sure where to post this but out and about seems the right place.......

 

We were wondering how doggy friendly is Adelaide? Are there strict rules about dogs on beaches or do they have designated beaches for dogs? Can does go into all the parks or are there rules about that? I would image that if out walking in open areas dogs should be kept on leads but as you all know over here dogs (as long as they are behaving) can go most places, with the exception of beaches.

 

Many Thanks

 

Dawn:)

[RJECSAUNDERS]

Hi there,

 

We have just got our dog so still gettign to grips with where she can come with us and where she can't. On the whole they are pretty welcome most places. All the beaches we have been to allow dogs on them which is lovely - although ours is still a bit unsure of the waves, despite the childrens best efforts to get her in. Likewise with the parks, of which there are many. there are signs that say that dogs either have to be on a lead or under close control, which is fair enough near childrens play areas.

 

So far we have found it really easy to take our dog out and about with us and are really enjoying having her. We had to leave our dog with my parents in the UK so althoguh we still see her on Skype we were missing having a dog in our family. We got our dog from the local RSPCA shelter and she has really made us feel at home.

 

Best of luck with your plans. Julie

[Diane]

Most beaches have a rule that during summer (daylight saving time) dogs have to be on leads on beaches between about 8am and 6pm (times vary) - having said that we've seen a lot recently that aren't on leads: you do have to be careful though if you want to flout the rules as wardens do patrol and if your dog is seen off lead when it should be on, you can be fined.

 

In most parks, dogs have to be on their lead, but different councils have different rules, for instance where we are by the Torrens Linear Park, dogs are allowed off lead as long as "under effective control" on this side of the river (Tea Tree Gully Council) but have to be on lead at all times on the other side (Campbelltown Council). Councils provide poo bags and bins and most people are pretty good about using them.

 

There are various "dog parks" around as well where dogs can be offlead.

 

Only problems with dogs here are in conservation parks - in those no dogs are allowed at all, even if you are driving through one with a dog in the car they will stop you and tell you off! Have to be careful in some other parks as well as they put poisin down for the foxes, so you need to keep your dog on lead and be careful what it picks up.

[Guest Andrew Family]

Thanks for the info it is really good to know how things work. We are still debating about bringing our dog, he is a big black lab and only a year old but part of the family. My only concern is that we don't start going out and about without him all the time. I am considering leaving him with a friend in the UK for the first year to ensure that we like it and are staying before shipping him over, don't want to ping pong him back and forth but I know we would miss him and so would the kids.

[Guest Deborah5]

We brought our dogs - though from New Zealand as that's we were living so quite easy - no quarantine - not sure if it applies from the UK.

 

I find it dog friendly enough here. There are enough places you can take them - you just need to find out where they are. My children are 6 and 7 and it has helped them settle having the dogs. I think if we had left the dogs behind it would have been another hurdle for them to overcome.

 

Good luck with everything.

Debbie

[Guest cornish Busdriver]

Christies beach and moana are dog beachs off leash all year. Theres a great open park for dogs with an asult course for then in morfett vale. Bring your dog and it will love it here

[Guest Guest5035]

we brought our beloved springer spaniel over in 1991 with us, afraid he left us around 5 years ago for the beach in heaven. He had the most fantastic years in and around Adelaide and it was the best thing we ever did.

 

Stevo

[RJECSAUNDERS]

Christies beach and moana are dog beachs off leash all year. Theres a great open park for dogs with an asult course for then in morfett vale. Bring your dog and it will love it here

 

Can you let me know where abouts - sounds like fun.

 

Thanks

 

Julie

[Guest Aussie pat]

Thanks for the info it is really good to know how things work. We are still debating about bringing our dog, he is a big black lab and only a year old but part of the family. My only concern is that we don't start going out and about without him all the time. I am considering leaving him with a friend in the UK for the first year to ensure that we like it and are staying before shipping him over, don't want to ping pong him back and forth but I know we would miss him and so would the kids.

 

Aussie Pat's other half here. I think you make some very sensible points. You will be out and about a lot as you're organising yourself when you arrive, and one of you will be staying outside the various offices with the much loved pooch. On the other hand, how long are they in quarantine for? So maybe all that traipsing around will be over by the time he gets out of quarantine. It's great that you're thinking about the dog too if you don't like it, but think positive and give it a fair go, then you've nothing to reproach yourself for.

 

We got a dog after we moved over here, but Aussie Pat left her dog with her parents when she moved over to the UK when we got married. It's not easy, but the dog had a great life with her parents. Whatever you decide you're obviously thinking about the dog's welfare, so best of luck.

[jomark]

Christies beach and moana are dog beachs off leash all year. Theres a great open park for dogs with an asult course for then in morfett vale. Bring your dog and it will love it here

 

The dog patrol man at Christies told me the dogs can be off the lead before 10am and after 8pm or all the time further up the beach past gulf view road (dog beach)... hope that helps

Jo:wubclub:

[Guest Andrew Family]

All your feedback has really helped. I will get Nick to have a look at your comments so that we can seriously weigh up the pros and cons. It is hard as he is part of our family and i do think it will help the kids fit in, but i also don't want to be restricted in exploring all the new places open to use across oz and him being left alone. A lot of thinking to do

 

Many Thanks

 

Dawn

[Guest Lesley]

Hi

Never had dog in UK, got our dog here about 5 months ago, live in Belair (hills) and use lead on small streets as drivers a bit dodgy, tie up outside local shops and he's ok and people very friendly with him, on the trails take off lead but need to be careful of snakes as can be bitten (and I believe a bite can kill) when rummaging in bush but he loves running down the tracks and chasing hares!!!!, been advised by local dog obedience school to use the dog parks instead as no snakes, Belair National Park allows dos in but large sign on entry advising to keep on lead as poisonous meat bites used widely throughout the park, use Brighton and Glenelg beach a lot and should be on lead until 8pm, only really a problem in summer before 8pm when really hot and families there and warden patrol asked us to put him back on the lead otherwise walk regularly up and down the beach off lead and before 8pm have him in one place in the water off lead with no problems (golden retriever, loves the water). Yearly registration fee and a friend of husband forgot to reregister his dog and was automatically fined several hundred dollars I believe, need to note road signs informing now time to register dog, so I'll be vigilant in 2010, think around August/September time signs go up. Reduced registration fee for chipping, neutering and obedience training.

[Guest Kazzarazza]

Hi Dawn,

 

I know of another park for dogs at Tedder Reserve, Findon called Pooch Park and I'm sure there must be others. We are out at West Lakes Shore and this park is only a 10 minute drive if you have a map handy. The beaches also allow dogs, but in our council (Charles Sturt) they have to be on a lead between 10am and 8pm during summer time only. If you like early morning walks, all you will see is hundreds of dog walkers, lol. We haven't found anywhere in our area where you can't take a dog, it's just a question of whether or not they have to be on a lead at certain times. "Doggy Poo bags" are provided by Council virtually everywhere. As Dianne said, it is just certain conservation parks and national parks where you may see restrictions.

 

http://www.freeinyourtown.com.au/content.asp?id=60

 

Dogs are in quarantine for a 30 days and the stations are Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. They allow visitors, who can go and play with your dog if you know anyone interstate, and you can also arrange for dog-walkers to go in during the month. Our family's dog came out looking in fantastic condition so they are obviously well looked after.

 

For what it's worth, if the dog is only 1 year old and a good dog (as Labradors generally are) personnally I wouldn't hesitate. However, it is a very expensive exercise! If you do find a good home for him, there are plenty of very good Labrador breeders here if you were to buy the kids another dog. I can provide you with some contact numbers if and when you need them.

Good luck with your decision, Kazza xx

[Guest cornish Busdriver]

Can you let me know where abouts - sounds like fun.

 

Thanks

 

Julie

 

 

Yeah its on Wheatsheaf road, just off south rd intersection.

Keep goiung up to you come to the park with the mini train and its in there.

[Guest cornish Busdriver]

The dog patrol man at Christies told me the dogs can be off the lead before 10am and after 8pm or all the time further up the beach past gulf view road (dog beach)... hope that helps

Jo:wubclub:

Its now the whole of Christies beach untill the Desal jetty is taken down then as you said from the creak to sullivans beach.

[Guest Guest5035]

Hi

Never had dog in UK, got our dog here about 5 months ago, live in Belair (hills) and use lead on small streets as drivers a bit dodgy, tie up outside local shops and he's ok and people very friendly with him, on the trails take off lead but need to be careful of snakes as can be bitten (and I believe a bite can kill) when rummaging in bush but he loves running down the tracks and chasing hares!!!!, been advised by local dog obedience school to use the dog parks instead as no snakes, Belair National Park allows dos in but large sign on entry advising to keep on lead as poisonous meat bites used widely throughout the park, use Brighton and Glenelg beach a lot and should be on lead until 8pm, only really a problem in summer before 8pm when really hot and families there and warden patrol asked us to put him back on the lead otherwise walk regularly up and down the beach off lead and before 8pm have him in one place in the water off lead with no problems (golden retriever, loves the water). Yearly registration fee and a friend of husband forgot to reregister his dog and was automatically fined several hundred dollars I believe, need to note road signs informing now time to register dog, so I'll be vigilant in 2010, think around August/September time signs go up. Reduced registration fee for chipping, neutering and obedience training.

 

If the dog is OFF the lead when its supposed to be on it, whats the point of having signs up. What if your dog approaches someone who is scared of dogs and the dog is off its lead, i can hear you say our dogs ok....but the other person is scared ****less!!

 

Stevo

[Guest Aussie pat]

Hi Dawn,

 

Don't laugh but you can book 'Doggie daycare' here. We pay $4/hour if we have something on and need our dog to be looked after. Our local grooming parlour offers the service. Our girl gets to play with the other dogs and is not put in a cage. There is even a garden for supervised doggie play. She loves it and we never feel guilty as she obviously has a great time and doesn't even stop to say goodbye when we drop her these days. I think the RSPCA down south may also offer it if I remember correctly from another thread.

 

It was great recently when we had a huge load of compost delivered and needed to barrow it in off the footpath. It meant we could leave the side gate open without our dog getting out. We also used it when we had some concreting done.

 

Perhaps this may be an option if needed? There are also various forms of holiday dog care such as kennels, dog/home sitters and people who will take your dog into their own homes for a fee. Prices vary. Our dog is going to live with a lovely lady she has stayed with before whilst we go on holidays this week.

 

Hope this helps with your decision.

[Guest Aussie pat]

Hi Dawn,

 

I forgot to mention that the Caravan and Camping Association over here also puts out a guide each year (free, you can order it on the internet) which quite clearly tells you which parks will take dogs. Many do. We've also had a lovely week camping in the Barossa Valley with our dog. She did have to stay on a lead and we used a big corkscrew device with a long lead so she could still move and sniff about when we were at our camper. She loved meeting all of the other dogs and I can honestly say I didn't see a single dog that was a problem despite every 2nd pitch having one! It was great fun as the dogs were good icebreakers and we met lots of other people to chat to.

 

As the weather is often nice over here there are lots of outdoor cafes where you can sit and have a coffee and take your dog. We even did this on a regular basis over winter.

 

We also stayed in a dog friendly holiday let at Goolwa in October and despite horrible weather still had a great time with our dog. Obviously as you probably already know dogs can restrict you at times but they more than make up for it in what they give back to us.

[Guest Lesley]

To be honest Steve, I'm really concerned about all the people who without permission approach my dog ON and OFF the lead to stroke him and how scared he gets and there's not much I can do about that, so view my job as one off responsibly socialising my dog i.e. he doesn't approach anyone and he doesn't react if people approach him..................................not sure what you think happens after 8pm when dogs officially allowed off the lead as still lots of people on the beach, are the people you're concerned about now fair game perhaps people who are scared ****less by dogs should'nt go where they are or better still lets all be a little more tolerant and respect each other.

[Guest Guest5035]

those people know after 8pm dogs can be off the lead so thats their responsibility not to go on the beach, before that time its the dogs owners responsibility for their dogs to be on the lead.

If you are concerned about people approaching your dog, "quote, on and off the lead ,un-quote" , then keep it on the lead and tell people not to approach your dog.

Remember i have been there done that with my dog when he was with us. I counted myself as a responsible owner and abided with the laws of the council . Its never a bad dog, always a bad owner.

 

Stevo