Miami Beach, a popular resort town, lies off the eastern coast of Florida and attracts tourists for its sandy beaches and sunny weather. Nestled between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Miami Beach boasts some of the finest beaches globally. Furthermore, it is home to a grand art deco historic district renowned for its exquisite collection of art deco architecture worldwide. This district consists of hundreds of stunning buildings built between 1922 and 1944.
Miami Beach has a plethora of magnificent beaches, exceeding 30 beaches in the larger Miami region, and it’s not astonishing considering that the temperature averages around 75 degrees F in the winter and 87 degrees F in the summer. Some of these beaches are even favored by dog owners, with Haulover Beach being a well-liked open-leash dog beach and North Shore Open Space Park featuring a leash-free Bark Beach. We have compiled a list of the top 10 dog-friendly beaches in Miami Beach for you and your furry friend to revel in.
Lummus Park
Lummus Park, situated within a mile of Miami Beach’s downtown, boasts a mile-long stretch of soft white sand and crystal-clear waters that you and your furry friend can delight in. Provided that your dog is kept on a leash, you are free to bring your pet along to any part of the beach or the expansive 26-acre park. However, due to the significant number of visitors, this beach can be quite congested, making it unsuitable for canines who do not prefer crowded areas.
South Pointe and Park Beach
Stretching across the southeastern corner of Miami Beach Island, South Pointe Park and Beach is located less than a mile south of Lummus Park. The park boasts a two-mile stretch of white sandy beach on one side and a mile of lush green beaches on the other. Spread across approximately 11 acres, it is an ideal spot for you and your furry friend to while away the hours, frolicking in the surf and building sandcastles. It is important to ensure that your pet is kept on a leash at all times and to bring along doggie bags to tidy up after them.
Belle Isle Bark Park
Belle Isle Bark Park, located less than a mile west of Miami Beach, provides an ideal location for your dog to enjoy a leash-free swim, splashing around, and running. Despite its small size, the island offers various activities for all visitors. As one of the Venetian Islands in Biscayne Bay, the park is surrounded by upscale establishments such as a spa, condos, and fine dining. However, as most of these facilities prohibit dogs, it is advisable to limit your visit to the park.
North Beach Oceanside Park
North Beach Openside Park, also referred to as North Shore Park Beach, is situated a short distance north of Miami Beach. It features eight blocks of sandy terrain where dogs can frolic while on their leash. Visitors can avail themselves of walkways containing exercise stations, walking trails, playgrounds for children, and covered picnic areas. There are also barbecue grills for those who want to cook meals. For a thorough exploration of the premises, one can take a stroll along the North Shore Park Path.
Haulover Beach Park
Haulover Beach, situated a short distance to the north, boasts nearly 1.5 miles of velvety, white sand and dazzling blue waters that provide ample opportunities for fun. Apart from enjoying beach activities with your canine companion, there is a special area designated for off-leash dogs which enables free swimming and unrestricted fetch playing. Your furry friend is welcome to play in the Haulover Inlet near the Haulover Inlet Bridge in addition to the area of the ocean located between towers 2 and 3 manned by lifeguards.
Greynolds Park
Greynolds Park, located about five miles northwest of Haulover Beach Park and just beyond Oleta River State Park and Maule Lake, spans across 265 acres, providing ample space for you and your furry companion to have some fun together, as long as your canine friend is on a leash and sociable. Although it is not a beachfront park, Greynolds Park offers plenty of waterfront areas where you and your dog can splash around, fish, or rent a kayak. In the late 1930s, the park was created out of a former limestone quarry, thanks to the efforts of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Margaret Pace Dog Park Beach
Margaret Pace Park is situated on the eastern coast of Miami, between the Venetian Causeway Bridge and the Julia Tuttle Causeway, just four miles away from Miami Beach. This 8.2-acre park offers an array of recreational activities, such as a fenced dog park where your furry friend can play with other dogs off-leash. It features a distinct area for small dogs to ensure their safety and prevent any incidents.
Morningside Park Beach
Morningside Park, located beyond the Julia Tuttle Causeway Bridge and to the north of the Margaret Pace Dog Park Beach, provides 42 acres of scenic greenery and 1.4 miles of picturesque waterfront where you can enjoy a refreshing splash with your furry companion. It is a well-liked destination for residents who relish engaging in various activities such as sailing, swimming, and tennis. In addition, the park features a public pool that is off-limits to dogs. Rentable kayaks and paddleboards are also prevalent.
Maurice A. Ferre Park
To the opposite side of the MacArthur Causeway Bridge and within one mile is Maurice A. Ferre Park, offering a small yet charming dog park where dogs can play unleashed. Additionally, the 21-acre park is referred to as Museum Park, housing the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science and is considered a section of Bayfront Park, located southwards. Situated alongside the bay, it features a delightful coastline where your pup can enjoy a leisurely stroll while wearing its leash.
Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park, which is situated on Biscayne Bay, covers 32 acres in the heart of downtown Miami. It can be accessed via the Miami Walk of Fame and Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel, which are located on the other side of the Port Miami Bridge and are an extension of Maurice A. Ferre Park. This attractive park offers a white sand beach, crystal-clear turquoise waters, a tropical garden with a 1926 waterfall, a large playground for children, and a bay walk to explore.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
In dog training, there are two main categories. The first involves teaching skills such as sitting, staying, and lying down, which are handled by dog trainers. The second category is addressing behavior problems like fearfulness, anxiety, or aggressiveness, which is the responsibility of a dog behavioral consultant, such as Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
Begin with behavior training if you require training for both skills and behavior. While a dog trainer may be able to instruct your dog to sit, a dog behavior consultant can better assist them in coping with separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
As Fratt points out, not all dogs will enjoy going to the dog park in the same way that not all humans will develop an affinity for attending raves.
An applied ethologist and family dog mediator named Kim Brophey is the proprietor of The Dog Door Behavior Center. Additionally, Brophey authored a book entitled “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior,” wherein she utilizes the L.E.G.S framework (learning, environment, genetics, self) to elucidate dog behavior. For instance, if your dog is barking at your visitors.
Brophey suggests that the breed of dog in question was deliberately chosen over several centuries to guard against intruders entering through the front entrance. Due to the innate instinct of a German shepherd to protect its territory, modifying your assumptions may be necessary instead of attempting to override this genetic trait through training.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
Regarding methods of training, there are several choices available, including group classes, individual training, board and train, day training, and self-guided training, which are the most prevalent. While group classes are less personalized, they are more cost-effective. Fratt warns that board and train facilities are more expensive and pose a higher risk.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
Depending on your budget and training objectives, your decision will vary. For instance, if your dog exhibits aggression towards another dog in your residence, it is unlikely that training conducted outside of your home would be beneficial.
Be aware that you will need to participate in your dog’s training, but it doesn’t need to consume a large portion of your time. Fratt recommends dedicating only five minutes a day to training. Furthermore, many of the assignments assigned by trainers can be enjoyable and simple to incorporate into your daily routine.
Our experts recommend using these online resources that are either free or available at a low cost for dog training if you wish to avoid spending a significant amount of money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has put together various free resources, and Fratt offers a set of complimentary tutorials called Training Tuesdays.
Understand the methodologies.
In the field of dog training, there is no regulation, allowing anyone who has a website, Instagram page, or store to assert as a dog trainer. As a result, there is no authoritative manual regarding the appropriate techniques for dog training, resulting in conflicting views among trainers. However, trainers can usually be categorized into two general groups.
One approach is used by trainers such as Fratt, who focus on positive reinforcement. This technique involves rewarding dogs with treats or other good things when they display good behavior, thus encouraging them to continue doing so. It also involves using positive experiences to help dogs overcome their fear or discomfort with certain stimuli.
Balanced trainers, such as Brianna Dick, utilize positive reinforcement in their training, but are also open to utilizing corrections with tools like e-collars.
According to Dick, E-collar training utilizes a collar that is worn by the dog and is controlled through remote. The collar then produces a corrective stimulus on the dog’s neck, which can either be in the form of a sound, shock, or even citronella spray. Within the dog training community, there is varying opinion on E-collars, with some considering them controversial particularly those that produce a shock.
Dick warns against trainers who rely on e-collars for every dog, noting that such an approach is generic and unlikely to produce positive outcomes. Instead, he advises seeking a trainer who takes a personal interest in you, your connection with your dog, and the unique circumstances of your lifestyle.
Find a good trainer.
To find a reliable group of positive reinforcement or balanced trainers in your locality, it is recommended to consult the lists of different professional organizations. Numerous associations provide these lists, such as:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Afterward, conduct interviews by contacting previous clients to determine which trainer induces the greatest level of comfort in you while also ensuring that they are able to elucidate their training techniques.
Don’t rule out medication.
If your dog is suffering from fear, anxiety, panic, or aggression which cannot be remedied with training alone, it is a medical condition that must be treated, though altering your dog’s brain chemistry may seem daunting.
Dr. Andrea Y. Tu, the medical director at NYC Behavior Vets and a behavior veterinarian, compares the situation to having a patient with diabetes. She explains that withholding insulin from a diabetic dog would not be appropriate as it is necessary for regulating hormone levels in its body.
“At the end of the day, this is a chemical imbalance. And it needs to be treated.”
Despite trying every possible solution, such as positive reinforcement training, balanced training, medication, and even changing trainers, your dog may still be unable to overcome their fear of your children or reluctance to urinate outside on a busy street. As unpleasant as it may be to consider, you may eventually have to acknowledge that your home is not the ideal environment for your pet.
