What are the rules regarding dogs on beaches and how strictly are they enforced... looking to take the pooch w/us for a week in June... Either sagamore or dennis area.

The rules differ depending on the beach.

On any of the beaches infested with plovers, dogs must be on a leash 6' or shorter - no retractable leashes.

With regards to the other beaches, a google search brought this site up.
http://www.petfriendlytravel.com/?page=dog_beaches#Massachusetts

I'm not positive the accuracy of it. I think you may be SOL for the sag/dennis area.

These days plan on a short leash...period

Every town has a leash law................sometimes I think my wife and I are the only ones who follow that particular rule.

I'm so sick of the dog nonsense on cape beaches. In chatham we can't have them on hardings or lighthouse beach at all from april through september. I know piping plovers are important (to someone) and whatnot just why not short leashes or soemthing instead istead of banning them all together, it drives me nuts!

i know coast guard beach in eastham is no dogs allowed, anytime punishable by death. i don't know about the other nps (nazi park service) beaches. probably the same. soon humans will be banned as well. except for the guards, their vehicles, park service biologists and their vehicles, usf&w and their vehicles, arts dune tours and their vehicles (gov vehicles have special tires that don't hit birds or their eggs) and the audubon (they like to walk)........soon they will have what they want, a private bird sanctuary that runs the length of the cape.

Bourne prohibits dogs on their beaches (including the Sagamore beaches) between May 1 and Oct. 15.

We have a leash law, but no one has ever hassled me for letting my dogs run loose on Sagamore Beach in the offseason.

I would say that you could probably get away with letting your dog run loose in the very early morning or late evening, even in-season. I think the worst think our DNR officers would do is tell you to leash it.

Bourne prohibits dogs on their beaches (including the Sagamore beaches) between May 1 and Oct. 15.

We have a leash law, but no one has ever hassled me for letting my dogs run loose on Sagamore Beach in the offseason.

I would say that you could probably get away with letting your dog run loose in the very early morning or late evening, even in-season. I think the worst think our DNR officers would do is tell you to leash it.


Yeah, I was hoping to be able to walk her on the beach early mornings/late in the evening. Almost definitely leashed... My wife is a leash nazi...

to think that dogs are not allowed to run free anywhere

it's like hobbling all the wild horses

birds -> clip their wings -> No more flying for you

fish - put them in a freakin barrel

Bunch of stupid rules

to think that dogs are not allowed to run free anywhere


there's a dcr park near my house that dog's don't have to be leashed at, accept near the parking area. miles of trails through the woods. my dog loves it. the dogs all love when they see each other out there.

There is a no leash park in Hingham. One of my coworkers has been trying to get me to bring the pup there.

I'm so sick of the dog nonsense on cape beaches. In chatham we can't have them on hardings or lighthouse beach at all from april through september. I know piping plovers are important (to someone) and whatnot just why not short leashes or soemthing instead istead of banning them all together, it drives me nuts!

Mike...with no bs or sarcasm intended...there were like a dozen people that showed up when the town had the hearing about bannning the dogs from Hardings...the pro doggie people were outnumbered something like ten to one at the hearing...I hat to say it but democracy worked that day...the majority, and that evenign it was a vast majority won out....still sucks though

There is a no leash park in Hingham. One of my coworkers has been trying to get me to bring the pup there.


Real Good fishing off that park as well...can you say mouth or right inside the mouth of the Back River (think Herring Run) at a bend....very very nice fishing if my memory and photo album serve me correctly!!!!!!!

Mike...with no bs or sarcasm intended...there were like a dozen people that showed up when the town had the hearing about bannning the dogs from Hardings...the pro doggie people were outnumbered something like ten to one at the hearing...I hat to say it but democracy worked that day...the majority, and that evenign it was a vast majority won out....still sucks though

I'm sure they were in the majority. I work in politics and spend a lot of time setting up and attending hearings. For very small issues like this it's typically the most extreme people who come out in numbers and make the most noise. If it were something that affected a lot more people or something that drastically affected people we usually see a much different demographic. Either way I'm sick of these leash laws nonsense.

I'm sure they were in the majority. I work in politics and spend a lot of time setting up and attending hearings. For very small issues like this it's typically the most extreme people who come out in numbers and make the most noise. If it were something that affected a lot more people or something that drastically affected people we usually see a much different demographic. Either way I'm sick of these leash laws nonsense.

I didn't mean to sound condescending in that post this issue just frustrates me. I support almost all conservation efforts especially on the cape but I can't believe that dogs on 6 foot leashes are going to wipe out the piping plover populations:gu:

I didn't mean to sound condescending in that post this issue just frustrates me. I support almost all conservation efforts especially on the cape but I can't believe that dogs on 6 foot leashes are going to wipe out the piping plover populations:gu:

People are ridiculous when it comes to these damn birds.

I'm betting it isn't just a plover issue...its also a Dog Crap issue.

Summer time a lot of people spend the day at the beach and towns want there beaches clean for the Touristas......

I'm betting it isn't just a plover issue...its also a Dog Crap issue.

Summer time a lot of people spend the day at the beach and towns want there beaches clean for the Touristas......

Yeah, only takes a few bad apples...

to think that dogs are not allowed to run free anywhere

it's like hobbling all the wild horses

birds -> clip their wings -> No more flying for you

fish - put them in a freakin barrel

Bunch of stupid rules

depends on your perspective. Here is a true story,
2 years ago, a nice spring day, I take my kids, 3 and 5 at the time, along with my wife to a little pond down the road for a little freshwater fishing. I dug up some worms. wife packed a lunch, it was going to be a nice relaxing morning lazing in the sun catching sunfish. After about 1 hour or so, a dog, some large spaniel type, comes flying around us. It was one of those super jumpy dogs, knocking everything and jumping on my kids. My kids were clamoring up my waist screaming, they were terrifyied. I chased the dog away and we wacthed it do the same to another family. This continued for close to 1/2 hour. My kids were miserable and just watched the dog in the distance, he came back to spread his joy again. It takes alot to get me po'd but I was ready to truly kill the animal. An old couple, late 70s, started to approach and it became obvious it was their dogs, I went up to them, fuming and told them they are lucky I didnt break the dogs neck and throw it into the water. The guys said he didnt blame me and the apologized. We left and my kids still talk about it today. Our nice day endined up s#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g. Long story, my point that dogs are very intimidating to little kids, we've had many run up to us on beaches and my kids freak. I like dogs but I was pulled off my bike by a german shepard when I was 12 delivering papers, had to get stitches, so I realize they can cause damage. just another perspective

i hear ya Jimmy

but some people actually train their dogs!

i leash train my dogs at eight weeks old or 6 weeks old
depending on when i get the pup...for two months straight

they don't do what i say- when i say it- i make them do it...
there's no maybe i'll do it... because what ever you let them do becomes a habit.

it's snap your fingers and they do what you ask
with allot of praise and reward for their obedience after wards

no ifs, ands, or buts... and it's for their own darn good...
such as no jumping out of a car window stopped or moving

like when i arrive anywhere in the car i sit for almost a minute
perfectly still and silent so there's no tendency for bolting
and the dog doesn't dare get out until i say the magic "OK"

that being said...my dogs are always herding dogs that need to
run and fetch everything you throw for them...

dogs cannot run and fetch when on a six foot leash
and some dogs absolutely live for that

i just think that some beaches could have a section dedicated for them....
and the owners should have plastic bags for stool pick up
or be heavily fined ...

I have been attacked by a dog that tore all my clothes off as a kid
and it even ripped and tore off my underwear,my shirt, and i had to

take my shredded pants and wrap them around me like a diaper just to walk home.
I had many bite marks and scratches all over me too.

on the other hand i do not believe in recoil leashes as one almost
killed my mother in law when her little dog ran it around her legs
twice tripping her as she stumbled all tied up and came so close to
(just 2 inches away)
bashing in her skull on a brick mailbox enclosure.
that i thank God it did not happen.... too.

Damn Jimmy. I've seen similar situations like yours happen. All the time, people are walking their dogs without a leash - the problem arises when the dogs are not trained.

My mum has 4 dogs. I know that 2 of them can be taken anywhere without a leash because they are extremely well trained. "Hey!" is all it takes and they stop in their tracks. It's a completely different story on the other two (they were adopted as adult dogs). It's tough enough keeping those two under control with a leash.

On the beaches in the off season is one thing, but in a populated area with little kids, letting a dog run wild is irresponsible.

I'm sorry your kids had such a bad experience. Experiences like that at a young age can stick for a long time.

Recent editorial in the BI Times re keeping dogs leashed suggested that we think of all beaches as "wildlife first" areas. They'll be banning us and the dogs from the beach soon.

well they will have a fight on their hands that they will not win

well they will have a fight on their hands that they will not win

Really? I wouldn't bet against them. :doh:

Real Good fishing off that park as well...can you say mouth or right inside the mouth of the Back River (think Herring Run) at a bend....very very nice fishing if my memory and photo album serve me correctly!!!!!!!

3 minutes from my house. Looking to give that a shot in a few weeks. That dog park is supposed to be crazy. Just a ton of badly behaved dogs. I've been told by more than a few that my dog needs to get a little older before even considering bringing him there.

I'm betting it isn't just a plover issue...its also a Dog Crap issue.

Summer time a lot of people spend the day at the beach and towns want there beaches clean for the Touristas......


Bingo.................Dogs are restricted and/or not allowed because people walking in bare feet at the beach are sick of walking in doggy poo. Many more people are picking it up than used to, which is awesome, but it could still be improved upon.

3 minutes from my house. Looking to give that a shot in a few weeks. That dog park is supposed to be crazy. Just a ton of badly behaved dogs. I've been told by more than a few that my dog needs to get a little older before even considering bringing him there.


Thats good to know. My last dog we never really allow her to socialize, but htis one we more than likely will, so she wont be so afraid of other dogs.

There is a no leash park in Hingham. One of my coworkers has been trying to get me to bring the pup there.

Stodders neck and Bare Cove Park... both great dog parks that your dog can swim in the ocean at. Frequent both.

Anyone have any recommendations on reasonably prices places to stay that allow dogs in the Truro area? I usually stay at Horizons but I think it's unlikely you could have a dog there.

Anyone have any recommendations on reasonably prices places to stay that allow dogs in the Truro area? I usually stay at Horizons but I think it's unlikely you could have a dog there.

When you look on the computor doesn't it usually say dog friendly, or do some places not list that.

I would bet they'd rather have a dog in the room than s moker and the worse the economy/rental market gets I'll bet any motel will let you bring the dog.

Try the Outer Reach Resort.

http://www.outerreachresort.com/index.html

Try the Outer Reach Resort.

http://www.outerreachresort.com/index.html

That place gets some tough reviews. I need somewhere that will only allow my dog. Nobody else's. LOL. Have to admit I'm a little sceived (spelling?) out about sleeping in a place that has had dog after dog.

That place gets some tough reviews. I need somewhere that will only allow my dog. Nobody else's. LOL. Have to admit I'm a little sceived (spelling?) out about sleeping in a place that has had dog after dog.

I've never stayed there myself. I'm not a pet owner, but my cousin and his wife stayed there with 2 big dogs and said it was decent. Of course his bed at home is covered in dog hair, so his standards may be a little lower than some people. I think you might have a tough time if you're set on Truro. There are places in Hyannis and P-Town that allow dogs that might be a little more upscale.

Have you thought about dressing your dog up as a little kid and sneaking it in?

Have you thought about dressing your dog up as a little kid and sneaking it in?

That's a good idea.

I would definitely rather pay more for a place to stay than for doggie day care.

I've found the more expensive places that allow dogs are GENERALLY very clean. The high price tends to keep out the rif-raf.

Also, I'd rather sleep (SLEEP! you perverts) with most the dogs I've seen rather than some of their owners...

the outer reach is a flea and roach infested rat hole . . . . nice view though. . . . try the cape inn , bay side ,Truro.

the outer reach is a flea and roach infested rat hole . . . . nice view though. . . . try the cape inn , bay side ,Truro.


Thanks. I will.

I found this which was helpfull: http://www.allcapecod.com/ccic/PFLodging.cfm