Puddy the Dogs first trip to the beach and her very first wave

Are you planning to take your new pup to the beach for the first time? As the weather starts to heat up, you may be excited to take him — but you may not be sure what to expect. Chances are you've heard of dog-friendly beaches, but do you know what this means?

The prospect of going to a dog-friendly beach may spark some new questions: Where should you go? What should you bring? Check out this handy guide, which could help you plan for taking your dog to beach.

Dog-friendly beaches are not usually hard to find, but it can take some investigating. Many beaches that allow dogs have rules — from requiring them to stay on a leash and keep out of specific areas to rules for you about picking up after your dog. If you have a particular beach in mind, call the beach management office or look online to familiarize yourself with the rules.

If you'd like to let your dog run free, you might need to search for a beach that allows dogs to run off-leash. Keep in mind that this might require a longer trip than you were anticipating. Therefore, you might have to plan your itinerary accordingly — including breaks from driving so your pet can stretch and use the bathroom. If you'll be traveling away from home, it's also a good idea to look up contact information for emergency veterinary clinics near your final destination (just in case your beach buddy runs into trouble).

When you go to the beach, you usually take along more than just your swimsuit. Taking a dog to the beach is no different. Here are some supplies you'll want to bring to keep your pooch safe — and help make the day relaxing and fun:

• Bottled water

• A water dish

• A beach umbrella or shade screen

• An all-weather dog bed or a dog blanket

• A playpen to keep small dogs safely corralled

• Plenty of towels

• Canine sunscreen

• A canine life vest with a handle

• Baggies to clean up after them

• Food and treats

• Floating and waterproof dog toys

• Dog booties to protect his paws from the hot sand

• Doggles (dog goggles) to shield their eyes from sun and salt

• A waterproof GPS tracker that can attach to their collar

With all of this in mind, it might seem like preparing to take your dog to the beach is, well... no day at the beach. But as a good pet parent, you want to do all you can to make your pup's first time at the beach happy and memorable. And once you're prepared, you'll also be ready for future trips, which means those spontaneous beach days with your pooch can become a summer tradition.