Summer is still here and despite the recent rainy weather there will be plenty of long days and balmier nights to come.

Clear, sunshiny days mean more opportunities for you and your dog to get out and about to explore what Tauranga has to offer.

But before you head out, Tauranga City Council's Animal Services Team Leader, Brent Lincoln, has six top tips to help you and your dog have a carefree summer.

Protecting wildlife

Summer sees more people out enjoying the sunshine with their dogs, and it's a good time to familiarise yourself with where you can and can't take your dog. We're not the only ones trying to make the most of summer, and we have some unique wildlife breeds and nests at this time of year.

Mount Maunganui is home to the rare New Zealand Dotterel and Little Blue Penguin, which use the beach and surrounding areas for nesting. To help protect them and other wildlife, dogs are not allowed on Mount Maunganui Main Beach and Mauao at any time.

Until January 31 2023, dogs are not allowed in the area known as Shark Alley (between Pacific Avenue and Grace Avenue). Dogs can only be walked in this area from February 1 2023 to July 31 2023 if they are on a leash.

Protecting people

It's important to be mindful of others and remember that not everyone is a dog person (no matter how loveable your dog is).

Keep your dog under control and always carry a leash, especially in off-leash and high-traffic areas such as beaches and parks where children and other dog owners are around. Make sure your dog is on a lead when approaching other people and animals, and always ask before allowing your dog to approach them. We ask that you keep your dog under effective control.

‘Under Effective Control' is to manage, influence, or determine the activities of all dogs in a person's possession, whether by voice commands, hand signals, whistles or other effective means, so that no dog can cause nuisance or danger to any person or other animal and cannot enter or interfere with private property. This includes the physical ability to restrain all dogs in a person's possession.

Where to walk?

Are you stuck for ideas or just looking for somewhere new? Here in Tauranga, there's no shortage of beautiful spots to explore. Dogs can be exercised off-leash (as long as they don't cause a nuisance) in any park, reserve, beach or public area (except in areas identified as on-leash or prohibited), and there are plenty of on and off-leash areas across the city.

Scoop the poop!

Aside from a leash, a poo bag is the other necessary accessory when heading out with your pup. Always scoop your dog's poop; if you've run out or have forgotten a bag, many of our parks have complimentary poo bag dispensers.

Make sure your pup is microchipped

Making sure your dog registration is up to date and that your pup is microchipped may help avoid any unwanted visits to the pound if they decide to go on a summer holiday of their own.

Have your contact details changed?

If you have moved house, changed phone number or email address, or recently microchipped your dog, make sure you head to our website or email us at dog.registration@tauranga.govt.nz to update this information.

This will help us contact you should your dog go walkabout or end up in the pound.