Summer provides more opportunities for you and your furry friend to venture out and discover all that Tauranga has to offer.

However, before you embark on any adventures, Tauranga City Council's animal services team leader, Brent Lincoln, shares six valuable tips to ensure you and your dog have a safe and carefree summer.

Protecting wildlife
During the summer season, many people enjoy the sunshine with their furry companions.

However, it is important to be aware of the areas where dogs are allowed and where they are not.

This is especially crucial during this time of the year when we have unique breeds of wildlife and nests that need protection.

Mount Maunganui is home to some rare species, such as the New Zealand Dotterel and Little Blue Penguin, which use the beach and its surroundings for nesting.

To safeguard them and other wildlife, dogs are strictly prohibited from Mount Maunganui Main Beach and Mauao at all times (including adjacent dunes, grassed areas and boardwalks).

From 1 August until 31 January, dogs are not allowed in the area known as Shark Alley (between Pacific Avenue and Grace Avenue).

However, from 1 February to 31 July each year, dogs can be walked on a leash in this area.

Protecting people
Many people, even other dog lovers, may not want to “smooch your pooch”.

It is important to be considerate of other people and acknowledge that not everyone is fond of dogs, no matter how much you may love your furry friend.

To ensure everyone's safety, keep your dog under control and always keep a leash with you, especially in crowded places such as parks and beaches.

Always keep your dog on a leash when approaching other people and animals, and always ask for permission before allowing your dog to approach them.

Tauranga City Council kindly asks you to keep your dog under effective control.

"Under Effective Control" refers to the ability to manage, influence, or control the activities of all dogs in your possession through voice commands, hand signals, whistles, or other effective means.

This means that no dog should be able to cause harm or nuisance to any person or animal, and they should not be allowed to enter or interfere with private property.

It also includes the physical ability to restrain all dogs in your possession.

Where to walk?
If you're running out of ideas or just want to try something new, Tauranga has a lot of beautiful places to offer.

You can exercise your dogs off-leash in any park, reserve, beach or public area —unless the area requires your dogs to be on-leash or are prohibited, as long as they don't cause disturbance.

Fortunately, there are many on and off-leash areas throughout the city to choose from.

Scoop the poop!
When taking your pup out, it's important to remember to bring a leash and a poo bag.

You should always clean up after your dog.

If you forget or run out of bags, many parks have dispensers with complimentary poo bags available for use.

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 recently moved, changed your phone number or email address or microchipped your dog, it is important to update your information on our website or by emailing us at dog.registration@tauranga.govt.nz.

Keeping your information up-to-date will enable us to contact you quickly in case your dog goes missing or ends up in the pound.