Do you like to travel with your dog? Preparing in advance is important if you’re taking your dog on vacation. Proactively thinking ahead to what you’ll need, where you’ll go, and what you’ll do with your dog are all helpful ways to help your vacation go smoothly. When getting ready to go on your dog-friendly vacation, here are planning considerations to keep in mind to make sure you and your dog will have a good time.
Schedule a vet visit:
The first step in making a dog-friendly vacation plan for your dog is to schedule a visit with your dog’s veterinarian. Your dog’s veterinarian will be able to make sure that your dog is up to date on all their vaccinations and healthy enough to travel. While at the vet, make sure your dog is microchipped. Collars can break or fall off, but a microchip will be a permanent form of identification that can help you reunite with your dog if you were to be separated while traveling.
Ask your vet for a print-out copy of your dog’s medical records so you can have those with you when you travel. As good as it is to have a plan for your dog-friendly vacation, there will be things that don’t quite go as planned. Try to prepare for the unexpected by researching in advance the address and phone number of emergency veterinary clinics near where you’ll be traveling and staying on your travels.
Pick the right location:
When working on a dog-friendly vacation plan, seeing the right location to visit with your dog is essential. Make sure that the vacation destination you select will have things for you and your dog to do together. Not every vacation is going to be ideal for having your dog. For example, if your trip will include theme parks and museums, it’s not a good trip to bring your dog on as those are not activities you can do with your dog. Instead, if you want to travel with your dog, select places to do things with your dog, like hiking and beach walks.
Plan outings
Before leaving on vacation, make sure your destination has dog-friendly outing opportunities. Don’t assume that they will be dog friendly just because the activities you want to do are outside. Before your trip, confirm that any natural areas you intend to visit are welcoming to canine guests. For example, many beaches aren’t dog-friendly or dog friendly in all seasons. Similarly, many hiking trails don’t permit dogs, and not all state or national parks welcome dogs. By researching dog-friendly locations in advance, you can avoid frustrating disappointments when you get to your vacation destination.
Pick where you’ll stay:
Increasingly hotels are becoming dog friendly; some even offer amenities for canine guests, including dog beds and dog bowls in a hotel room. Another option is to rent a private cottage, house, or condo to stay in. Renting can be an excellent option for traveling with dogs as you may have more privacy which can help dogs to relax. Sometimes, you’ll have a private yard to take your dog out into. Whether you’re staying at a hotel or in a private rental, confirm in advance that the location is dog friendly. Some hotels that are dog friendly may have the size or even breed restrictions. Don’t wait until you try to check in to realize your dog won’t be welcome.
Pack everything your dog needs
Before leaving for your trip, pack everything your dog will need while you’re away. Spending your vacation tracking dog food or other necessary supplies isn’t fun. Instead, when planning for your vacation, try to pack everything your dog will need for the trip, including the food dog will need for the trip. Be sure to pack any medication your dog takes regularly, collars, harnesses, leashes, dog toys, and an ample supply of training treats. Don’t forget to pack poop bags to clean up after your dog and favorite toys.
Train in advance:
Part of getting ready to go on vacation with your dog is creating a training plan. Before you travel, fill your pocket with training treats and head out to local locations as part of your dog vacation plan; try to create training opportunities for your dog to help them practice the skills they will need while traveling. For example, if you know you and your dog will be eating at dog-friendly outdoor restaurants while traveling, bring your dog to dog-friendly cafes and coffee shops near home first. While out with your dog, praise and reward with treats or any behaviors you like, such as settling calmly or focusing on you. Training these skills in advance will help you know how to help your dog relax and thrive on the trip.
