Pregnant with her fifth pup, Joy was found near Marlow Park yesterday morning before Doc rangers were able to persuade her back on to the beach.
At this time of year, females often tried to find shelter away from the beaches to avoid aggressive males, Mr Fyfe said.
Beachgoers should expect to see more sea lions on the beach as the pup season approached and it was best to give the marine mammals a bit of space, he said.
A Dunedin City Council bylaw also required all dogs to be on a leash when they were 20m or closer to the animals.
Joy has become accustomed to loss as only one of her four previous pups has survived. One of her pups, Rua, was found dead with stab wounds in November 2016.
The man accused of killing her is yet to face trial.