Spring Clean-Up and Summer Fun: Yard Safety, Ticks and Dog-Friendly Trails

  • Rattlesnake Ledge
  • Lake Twenty-Two
  • Red Top Lookout
  • Barclay Lake
  • Tonga Ridge
  • Cedar Butte
  • Cougar Mountain trails
  • Leash rules, parking passes and trail conditions can change, so check before you go. Always bring water for both of you. For more Eastside options, see our post on the best dog-friendly trails near Bellevue and Redmond.

    Dog-Friendly Beaches

    • Richmond Beach Saltwater Park (Shoreline). Leashed dogs are welcome in all areas of the park from March 16 through October 31. From November 1 through March 15, dogs can go off leash on the beach south of the pedestrian bridge. Keep them leashed on the way to and from that stretch of beach.
    • Off-Leash Area Edmonds (498 Admiral Way). A fenced off-leash beach area at the south end of Marina Beach Park, open dawn to dusk. Leash up when entering and leaving. Dogs aren’t allowed on Edmonds’ other public beaches, including Marina Beach Park itself.
    • Owen Beach (Point Defiance Park, Tacoma). Dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than 8 feet. If your pup wants to run, Point Defiance also has a designated off-leash dog park off Five Mile Drive.
    • Ocean Shores. The beaches fall under Washington State Parks rules, so dogs need to be on a leash no longer than 8 feet. The exception is the designated off-leash stretch between the Taurus Boulevard and Butterclam Street beach approaches. Cars can drive on this part of the beach, so only let your dog off leash if they have a reliable recall.
    • Beach rules can change, so check the park’s website before you go.

      After the Adventure

      Muddy, sandy, or just plain smelly after a big day out? Skip the bathroom cleanup and visit Jax Self-Wash. Walk-ins are welcome during self-wash hours, and we provide the shampoo, towels and dryer. Need a quieter weekday after a big weekend? Our daycare lets your dog keep the fun going with friends.

      We’d love to see what you and your dog are doing this summer. Share your photos with us on Facebook!

      Hello, friends!

      If you’re like most of us around here, the long rainy season leaves you a little stir-crazy. The good news: every year, summer comes around and the days get longer. Here’s a quick checklist to get your yard and your dog ready for warmer weather.

      Clear Hazards From Your Yard

      Before your dog starts spending more time outside, check your yard for anything that could poison or hurt them. Keep fertilizer, rodent repellent and sprays well out of reach. Even a tiny amount of poison can be deadly, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

      Keep Up With Flea and Tick Prevention

      Warmer weather is when bugs start to show up. Stay up to date on your dog’s flea and tick medication so they’re protected from insects and parasites. After time outside or in the woods, check your dog over for ticks.

      Quick Steps to Remove a Tick

      If you find a tick, here are some quick steps:

      1. Wearing gloves and using tick-removing tweezers, grab the tick as close to your pet’s skin as you can. Pull straight up in one smooth motion, without squeezing too hard.
      2. Put the tick in a screw-top jar with some rubbing alcohol and screw on the lid.
      3. Disinfect the bite site on your pet. Wash your hands well, and disinfect any tools that touched the tick.
      4. Keep an eye on the bite site. If it’s still inflamed after a week or so, take your pet and the tick to your veterinarian.
      5. Dog-Friendly Trails to Try

        If you want to get some hikes in with your pup this summer, here are some dog-friendly trails:

        • Rattlesnake Ledge
        • Lake Twenty-Two
        • Red Top Lookout
        • Barclay Lake
        • Tonga Ridge
        • Cedar Butte
        • Cougar Mountain trails
        • Leash rules, parking passes and trail conditions can change, so check before you go. Always bring water for both of you. For more Eastside options, see our post on the best dog-friendly trails near Bellevue and Redmond.

          Dog-Friendly Beaches

          • Richmond Beach Saltwater Park (Shoreline). Leashed dogs are welcome in all areas of the park from March 16 through October 31. From November 1 through March 15, dogs can go off leash on the beach south of the pedestrian bridge. Keep them leashed on the way to and from that stretch of beach.
          • Off-Leash Area Edmonds (498 Admiral Way). A fenced off-leash beach area at the south end of Marina Beach Park, open dawn to dusk. Leash up when entering and leaving. Dogs aren’t allowed on Edmonds’ other public beaches, including Marina Beach Park itself.
          • Owen Beach (Point Defiance Park, Tacoma). Dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than 8 feet. If your pup wants to run, Point Defiance also has a designated off-leash dog park off Five Mile Drive.
          • Ocean Shores. The beaches fall under Washington State Parks rules, so dogs need to be on a leash no longer than 8 feet. The exception is the designated off-leash stretch between the Taurus Boulevard and Butterclam Street beach approaches. Cars can drive on this part of the beach, so only let your dog off leash if they have a reliable recall.
          • Beach rules can change, so check the park’s website before you go.

            After the Adventure

            Muddy, sandy, or just plain smelly after a big day out? Skip the bathroom cleanup and visit Jax Self-Wash. Walk-ins are welcome during self-wash hours, and we provide the shampoo, towels and dryer. Need a quieter weekday after a big weekend? Our daycare lets your dog keep the fun going with friends.

            We’d love to see what you and your dog are doing this summer. Share your photos with us on Facebook!

            Hello, friends!

            If you’re like most of us around here, the long rainy season leaves you a little stir-crazy. The good news: every year, summer comes around and the days get longer. Here’s a quick checklist to get your yard and your dog ready for warmer weather.

            Clear Hazards From Your Yard

            Before your dog starts spending more time outside, check your yard for anything that could poison or hurt them. Keep fertilizer, rodent repellent and sprays well out of reach. Even a tiny amount of poison can be deadly, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

            Keep Up With Flea and Tick Prevention

            Warmer weather is when bugs start to show up. Stay up to date on your dog’s flea and tick medication so they’re protected from insects and parasites. After time outside or in the woods, check your dog over for ticks.

            Quick Steps to Remove a Tick

            If you find a tick, here are some quick steps:

            1. Wearing gloves and using tick-removing tweezers, grab the tick as close to your pet’s skin as you can. Pull straight up in one smooth motion, without squeezing too hard.
            2. Put the tick in a screw-top jar with some rubbing alcohol and screw on the lid.
            3. Disinfect the bite site on your pet. Wash your hands well, and disinfect any tools that touched the tick.
            4. Keep an eye on the bite site. If it’s still inflamed after a week or so, take your pet and the tick to your veterinarian.
            5. Dog-Friendly Trails to Try

              If you want to get some hikes in with your pup this summer, here are some dog-friendly trails:

              • Rattlesnake Ledge
              • Lake Twenty-Two
              • Red Top Lookout
              • Barclay Lake
              • Tonga Ridge
              • Cedar Butte
              • Cougar Mountain trails
              • Leash rules, parking passes and trail conditions can change, so check before you go. Always bring water for both of you. For more Eastside options, see our post on the best dog-friendly trails near Bellevue and Redmond.

                Dog-Friendly Beaches

                • Richmond Beach Saltwater Park (Shoreline). Leashed dogs are welcome in all areas of the park from March 16 through October 31. From November 1 through March 15, dogs can go off leash on the beach south of the pedestrian bridge. Keep them leashed on the way to and from that stretch of beach.
                • Off-Leash Area Edmonds (498 Admiral Way). A fenced off-leash beach area at the south end of Marina Beach Park, open dawn to dusk. Leash up when entering and leaving. Dogs aren’t allowed on Edmonds’ other public beaches, including Marina Beach Park itself.
                • Owen Beach (Point Defiance Park, Tacoma). Dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than 8 feet. If your pup wants to run, Point Defiance also has a designated off-leash dog park off Five Mile Drive.
                • Ocean Shores. The beaches fall under Washington State Parks rules, so dogs need to be on a leash no longer than 8 feet. The exception is the designated off-leash stretch between the Taurus Boulevard and Butterclam Street beach approaches. Cars can drive on this part of the beach, so only let your dog off leash if they have a reliable recall.
                • Beach rules can change, so check the park’s website before you go.

                  After the Adventure

                  Muddy, sandy, or just plain smelly after a big day out? Skip the bathroom cleanup and visit Jax Self-Wash. Walk-ins are welcome during self-wash hours, and we provide the shampoo, towels and dryer. Need a quieter weekday after a big weekend? Our daycare lets your dog keep the fun going with friends.

                  We’d love to see what you and your dog are doing this summer. Share your photos with us on Facebook!

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