Activities For Dogs In Biscayne National Park
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
The 173-acre Biscayne National Park in Homestead, Florida is a pupular water wonderland with coral reefs, emerald waters, mangrove forests, and islands where you can see dolphins, sea turtles, and pelicans as well as many other wild critters. Your pooch will enjoy the tropical paradise as well as you since they get to come along on almost every adventure in the park. However, your fur buddy must be on a leash, and you have to bring doggy bags to pick up after them.
Fishing
Popular
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Any Day
Cheap
Easy
2 - 4 hrs
Items needed
fishing tackle
bait
water
snacks
leash
waste bags
Activity description
You and your fur buddy will enjoy trying your luck at catching some dinner along the shores of Biscayne National Park or in a boat with a pole, trap, gig or any other legal ways to catch fish and other species like lobster, crabs, and clams. If you fish from the shore, you do not need a license, but if you are diving in or trying your skills offshore, you will need to get a fishing license. Your canine kid can join you as long as you are not on any of the prohibited areas of the beach or shoreline. Teaching them to fish is easy if they are just going to be watching but if you want them to retrieve for you, that may take some practice. All you need for this excursion is whatever tackle you plan on using like a fishing pole, line, and bait, and some water and snacks for the day.
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1
Spectator sport
If your furry friend is just watching, all you will need to teach them is how to sit still and relax while you fish. Of course, you can also play catch or frisbee with your pooch while you are waiting for a bite. Whatever you decide to do, check the leash laws in whatever area you are fishing.
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2
Retrieving
If you want your dog to retrieve fish or other aquatic critters for you, that may take some skill. You can use a decoy fish or lobster to train, or the real thing. Whatever you use, let your pooch get used to it first by letting them sniff it and rewarding them with a treat for doing so. Then put the decoy (or live critter) into shallow water and have your dog retrieve it. Reward with a treat and praise. Continue to do this in deeper water to get your pup used to going wherever is needed to retrieve the catch.
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3
Things to note
Be careful around areas where others are fishing. Look out for hooks, fishing line, and other debris that can hurt or get tangled in your dogs’ paws or fur. Also, if your fur buddy is having a hard time figuring out what to do, jump in and show them how it’s done.
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Boating
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
1 - 3 hrs
Items needed
life jackets
leash
water
snacks
Waste Bags
Activity description
Whether you are boating for pleasure or trying to catch some dinner, your fur buddy will enjoy going with you at Biscayne National Park. According to a recent survey, approximately 62% of people in America take their pooches with them on their boat. Of course, you will need to teach your dog the rules first and practice safety steps with them such as wearing a life jacket and learning to sit still. You don’t want your dog to fall in but if they do, make sure they have the proper size dog life jacket on. This excursion takes a few hours, and you will need to bring a life jacket for everyone, water, snacks, and a leash.
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1
Swimming lessons
It may be best to teach your pupster to swim before going on a boat. Just the basics are enough to make sure they do not drown because even if they are wearing a life jacket, things can happen. Malfunctions occur, and you don’t want it to happen to your canine kid. Take your poochie swimming in the local pool or lake before treading water in the ocean.
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2
Sit and stay
This should already be a command that your dog knows, but if not, it is time to make sure they have this one memorized. Teaching them to sit and stay may save their lives as well as others if the boat capsizes from their jumping around. You should practice in a boat on land and make sure you give your pooch treats for performing correctly.
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Touring
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Easy
1 - 2 hrs
Items needed
leash
water
Waste Bags
Activity description
At Biscayne National Park they offer different kinds of guided tours such as hiking, biking, snorkeling, fishing, paddling, seaplane, boating, and scuba diving. However, the best one to enjoy with your pupster is probably going to be the hiking trail. You can choose a guided birding tour of which there are several or the one-mile loop trail near the campground. There is also a six-mile highway trail they call “Spite Highway.” As long as your pawesome pooch is on a leash of less than six feet long, you and your canine kid can spend as much time as you like on the trails seeing the critters, the amazingly vivid wildflowers, and the mangrove forests. Just bring a leash and some water for everyone.
Step
1
Practicing the leash
If your canine kiddo is not used to being on a leash, the time to teach them is before you head out to the park. Let your pup get used to the leash for several days before taking them for a walk and then add more time on the leash every day. Make sure to give your dog a treat for doing good on the leash every time.
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2
Stamina
If your dog has not been out and about in nature on a trail, you will need to build up some stamina with them. Don’t expect to just take your pooch on a six-mile hike when the longest they have gone is around the block. Take them for longer walks every day until you have them going at least five miles if you plan on doing the Spite Highway.
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More Fun Ideas...
Surfin' USA
Some dogs are just water dogs and will enjoy any kind of activity as long as it involves water. If your pooch loves water and you are a surfer, try surfing with your pooch. It does not take much skill except teaching them how to sit on the board without moving. But, make sure they wear a doggy life jacket because those waves can be gnarly.
Trolley Tour
The Biscayne National Park has a trolley service that will take you and your furry buddy on a guided tour of the park. You will learn about the history of the grounds, interesting submerged treasures, and the best fishing and swimming coves to visit. Just make sure your little one is leashed.
Conclusion
Traveling with your dog can be easy or traumatic, depending on how much time you spend preparing. Make sure your dog is ready for any kind of travel by practicing before you head off to Biscayne National Park. Also, while the park is dog fur-iendly for the most part, there are places where your canine kids are not allowed.