Would you like to take your dog out for a relaxing time in Sarasota? Maybe your dog would enjoy a hike along a shaded trail or a casual stroll to a dog friendly restaurant? Or perhaps your dog needs to burn off some energy at a dog park? In this blog, we will help answer the question of where to take your dog out in Sarasota and how to turn every outing into a training and socialization opportunity.
Turn every adventure into a socialization opportunity
Socialization training can help establish positive relationships and prevent aggressive and fearful problem behaviors from developing. You should regularly expose your dog to different sights, smells, and sounds so they can feel more confident when exploring.
A good goal is for your dog to see about twenty to fifty people and dogs each week. With all the dog friendly places in Sarasota, this can be manageable in a few outings a week. For more information on socialization training, you can check out our blog on “Understanding Your Dog’s Reactivity”.
Popular dog friendly places
St Armand’s Circle
St Armand’s is a shopping area with many dog friendly restaurants, including the Cafe on St Armands and Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar and Grill. It’s a great place to take your dog out for a casual walk and then relax for a meal with your canine companion. We previously published a blog post about our favorite dog friendly restaurants in St. Armands and how to make the most of socialization and obedience training opportunities.
Training opportunity: While sitting at the outdoor patios, it’s a great place to practice a down stay. St. Armand’s is usually bustling with passing pedestrians, people, and dogs alike. With all the noises, sights, and smells, your dog can learn to handle any distraction. Just remember to bring training treats.
The Dog Bar Sarasota
The Dog Bar Sarasota is a dog friendly restaurant with outdoor and indoor play areas. It’s a fun place for you to enjoy a restaurant meal while watching your dog play. You must register and pay for a dog pass before your dog can enjoy the 6500 sq ft of off-leash dog parks.
Training opportunity: You can use this outing to teach your dog to autosit. This is when your dog will be encouraged to sit for attention instead of leaping up to introduce themselves. Your puppy will learn good manners, still get the attention they crave, but also learn to respect others’ personal space.
Brohard Paw Park
Are you looking for a dog friendly beach in Sarasota? You should visit Brohard Paw Park in Venice, which is the only beach in Sarasota County where you can take your dog to splash and play.
Brohard has two fenced areas for both small and large dogs. You can also take your dog to the beach for a swim, and showers are available to help wash off afterward.
Dog Friendly Restaurants
Sarasota has many dog friendly restaurants that provide a range of different food options and outdoor seating with your canine companion. From
- Pizza at The Parrot Patio Bar and Grill
- Fresh seafood at the Old Salty Dog
- O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill whose menu includes sandwiches, burgers, wraps and salads
- A menu including burritos, pancakes, sandwiches and soups at Station 400
- Fresh seafood at Duval’s Fresh Local Seafood
For more dog friendly restaurants options, you can check out our blog.
Dog Friendly Hiking Trails
There are many dog friendly hiking trails in Sarasota, with features including:
- The shaded wetland pathways at Red Bug Slough Preserve
- The mangrove trails at Alligator Creek
- The unpaved hiking trails at Celery Fields, where you can often hear Lion roars from the nearby Big Cat Habitat
- Waterfront views of Downtown Sarasota at Bayfront Park’s 0.6 walking trail
- The repurposed railroad that now connects the Legacy Trail, which has a rest station every mile
For more information, you can check out our blog on dog friendly hiking trails.
Dog Friendly Parks
There are many great dog parks in Sarasota, from:
- The agility area at 17th Street Dog Park
- The separately fenced areas for small and large dogs at Lake View Park.
- Exploring the dog exercise equipment at Bay Street Park
- The separate small and large dog areas at Woodmere Park
For more information, you can check out our blog on Sarasota County’s Dog Park.
We are here to help
Would you like help teaching your puppy high-level obedience, manners, or addressing any behavioral concerns? Beyond the Dog Sarasota offers personalized one-on-one training sessions, including training at your home and local neighborhood. You can schedule a free consultation with our Pet Behavior Team to discuss your training goals and receive a personalized recommendation.
