Traveling with a Doodle

[Lauren Heiden]

I have spent many hours researching places to take my doodle on vacation. I haven't come across a great spot. We like the beach- any suggestions?

[Adina P]

Remind us all where you live and where you'd like to travel to...what COAST for instance?

[Lauren Heiden]

Thanks for the quick reply! I live in Indiana and we are interested in great spots for dogs in FL, Michigan, or the East Coast. I am looking for somewhere that I can take Irish out on the beach with me. I have found a lot of hotels that accept dogs in FL but the dogs aren't allowed on the beach. I did locate an area in FL that is pet friendly- Cape San Blas/St. Joe area. However, it seems too secluded and "woodsy" if that makes sense. We are thinking about going to the dunes in Michigan in a couple of weeks and heard that Warren State Park allows dogs. Have you ever been there? I am open to other suggestions though. I never knew how frustrating it would be to find people willing to help find great spots! They have to exist!! :) Thanks!

[Adina P]

I have no advice in this area...I'm on the West coast =)
But my suggestion (so that this info you gave me doesn't get lost) is to copy what you just wrote about where you live and where you'd like to go and then put it in the top of your discussion. ANY discussion you start can be edited by YOU as long as you want. So go to the top and click on "EDIT DISCUSSION" and then put in all that info...that way nobody can miss it if they don't read the responses down here =)

[Lauren Heiden]

Okay thanks- are there any cool places on the West Coast? Like cool enough for us to drive alllll the way there? :)

[Adina P]

Hmmmm...lots! But with the dogs the only places we've been for vacation is the Oregon Coast..."Cannon Beach" specifically. A VERY dog friendly town with lots of places that allow dogs. I wouldn't do it in the spring though...too cold (for ME!). We went in the fall and it was perfect...just after the busy season.

Southern and Central California also have a lot of dog friendly places, but I haven't ever gone there with my dogs, so I can't recommend anything. I can't think of the discussion title, but someone on here was asking a similar question recently and a book on traveling with your dog was recommended...might search the forum for words like "Travel" "dog-friendly" "dog friendly" "hotel" and such terms that might help the search function locate this old discussion.

[Lauren Heiden]

Thanks for your help- I read a bit of your profile and used to feel the same way about dogs. We only got one because my husband wanted one. I said the dog will never get on our furniture, never go upstairs, and I will never be referred to as her mom. HAHAHA- Irish has stolen my heart- she is the love of my life! She has access to anything and everything! And I am definitely her mommy! I used to never want a dog to touch me- but now, I am a dog lover 100%!

[Adina P]

Heeeheee...it's great isn't it!??

[Beth and Gang]

How sweet Lauren!! I am not surprised, these doodles have a special way of getting into our lives and hearts like no ther dog I have ever owned.
Irish sounds like one special doodle.

[Melissa, Samson & Shelby]

You might have better luck at beaches in South Carolina. Samson went with us to Edisto Beach State Park, SC last year. They have a campground on the beach (which fills up a year on advance) that allows dogs. It would be too secluded for you though. I've been to the Cape San Blas/St. Joe area. I've found that most (if not all??) FL state parks allow dogs in the park, but not on the beach. We also took Samson to Indiana Dunes State Park last year. He was allowed in the campground, not not on the beach.

This year we are going to Anastasia State Park which is near St. Augustine. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach at the state park, but I read that there are nearby beaches that allow dogs.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

I grew up in Charleston SC and it's a very dog friendly city. There are lots of dogparks and I know when I was young we took our dogs to the beach but I'm not sure what laws have been passed since. Definitely worth looking into!

[sandy b]

I live in Sanibel, FL and dogs are allowed on the beach but must be on a leash. There are also several cottage and/or resorts on the beach that are pet friendly. Check with the Sanibel-Captiva chamber of commerce. Hope this helps. My husband and I are iriginally from Indiana but have lived here for almost 10 yrs. Couldn't take the cold weather anymore!!

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

We found outer banks (NC) to be dog friendly. We took Dexter for 2 years (Hatteras Island). We go Memorial Day week when it isn't very crowded. We will take him to the beach early morning for a walk and then late afternoon and let him run on the beach when most people have left. They do have leash laws, but nobody complains if your dog is behaved :) Many people are there with their dogs.