Do you want to take your
well-deserved vacation, but the thought of leaving your dog behind has you racked with
guilt? Dogs are part of the family so why shouldn’t they be part of the family
vacation? Take him along! With a little planning, travelling with your dog can be fun for
both of you!
Preparing
You will need to do a bit of
advanced preparation in order to make your trip a safe and happy one. First, make sure
that your pet is up-to-date on all his vaccinations. You might ask your vet to give your
dog a check up and give you a health certificate that you can take along. You should carry
proof of your dog’s rabies vaccination with you. Ensure that your dog has a current
I.D. tag, as well. This will prove invaluable should you and your dog become separated on
your journey. If you are travelling beyond the continental US, check to see if your
destination has a quarantine law. Some international destinations require long quarantines
so it might not be practical to take a pet along.
What to Pack
Most importantly (to your
dog anyway!), consider your dog’s food requirements. If he is on a special diet, you
will need to bring along enough food to last the trip. This is true also if you are not
sure that you can purchase his brand of food at your destination. You do not want to try
to change brands on the trip as this might upset his digestion and that won’t be fun
for either of you! Also, bring a supply of water. Having water along is a necessity,
especially for a summer car trip and changes in water can effect dogs just as it does
humans. Collapsible food and water containers are available at most pet supply stores.
Pack a good leash and a
spare. You might want to bring a spare collar too, just in case. Bring along any meds that
the dog might be on and don’t forget to bring his monthly heartworm pill if you will
be away at the time he would normally take it. Bring a travel bag with some treats, a
small container of shampoo, a few toys and chews, a brush, towels and some first aid
items. Also remember to pack lots of "poop bags" so that you can clean up after
your dog. It is helpful if you keep all the "dog items" in a separate bag so
that you can find them easily. If your dog is partial to his own bed or blanket, you might
want to take that along as well. Having a few familiar items along will help to make him
more at ease while away from home. Make a list ahead of time of all the items that you
will need and be sure to check the list before leaving the house. Often, in the confusion
of leaving, the dog’s needs are forgotten.
Car Safety
Ensure that your dog is
properly restrained in the car. There are many types of harnesses and seat/harness
combinations designed to allow for the dog’s comfort and safety. A crate is another
good option for travel. The dog can sleep comfortably in his crate while on the road.
Remember, in an accident the dog is just as prone to injury as a human. Additionally, the
dog could be thrown from the car or unintentionally let free by someone on the scene.
Ensuring he is properly restrained will help to avoid these heartbreaking scenarios. The
crate has an added benefit as well—many hotels will only allow dogs that have crates.
If your dog is a nervous
traveler, ask your vet for recommendations for mild sedatives. There are also some mild
natural remedies that can help calm your dog. Your vet should be able to recommend the
best one for your pet. If your dog tends to get a bit carsick, ginger is said to help.
Give the dog a few Ginger Snap cookies to calm his stomach. Be sure to stop every few
hours so the dog can stretch, relieve himself and have a drink of water. If you know about
your trip enough in advance, you can prepare your dog by taking short local trips to get
him more used to the car.
Never, never, never leave
your dog unattended in a hot car! Dogs cannot cope with heat as well as humans and in just
a short time, your dog can overheat and suffer serious injury or death. A dog unattended
in a car is also subject to other dangers, such as being stolen or accidentally knocking
the car into gear.
Accommodations
There are many hotels,
motels and campgrounds that allow pets, but be sure to call ahead to ask their policies.
Some hotels don’t allow dogs in the lobbies, for example and some don’t allow
dogs to stay alone in the rooms. Some motels and hotels welcome pets with open arms and
gear your stay toward your pet. Research on the Internet or with your travel agent can
turn up some terrific places where you and your dog can feel welcome.
A little research can turn
up destinations that are nirvana for pet lovers…dog camps, hiking trails, even some
restaurants are out there waiting to be discovered!
Etiquette
Those of us who love our
pets want them to be welcome everywhere, but there are a few bad apples that give us all a
bad name! When travelling, always clean up after your pet. Do not allow your dog to
eliminate in public places (like the front lawn of the hotel!). Keep your dog leashed in
all areas that require it. Do not leave your dog alone in the hotel or campground if he is
destructive or noisy. Do not allow your pet on the furniture or beds in hotels. If your
dog is a good canine citizen, you and he are sure to be welcome back again!
Traveling with one’s
dog can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. With a little planning, your trip can
provide memories to last a lifetime!
Suggested Reading:
On the Road Again With Man's
Best Friend : United States, Dawn Habgood, Robert Habgood; Format: Softcover,
888 pp; ISBN: 0933603118; Publisher: Dawbert Press; Pub. Date: April
2000
Take Your Pet Along : 1001
Places to Stay With Your Pet, Heather MacLean Walters; Format: Softcover; ISBN:
0964891328; Publisher: M.C.E.; Pub. Date: March 1997
Travel With or Without Pets
: 25,000 Pets-R-Permitted Accommodations, Petsitters, Kennels & More!, M. E.
Nelson (Editor); Format: Softcover, 512 pp; ISBN: 1564717976; Publisher:
Annenberg Communications Inst; Pub. Date: June 1997
