Traveling with your dog
Travelling with your dog can be great fun if you make the right
arrangements. However, poor forward planning can make the
experience stressful for both you and your pet. Once you've
decided your dog is coming away with you, the first thing you
need to do is buy a collar with your current identification and
keep it on your dog at all times. A microchip may also be
beneficial for extra security. Before you travel, your dog
would benefit from some basic training so he will be
well-behaved during the trip. Then, plan the transportation,
what to take and where to stay as not all hotels are dog
friendly!
Travelling by car
The car is usually the best and most common method of travel
with dogs and chances are your dog has already ridden in it for
trips to the vet or the park. However, it's fair to say that
some dogs suffer anxiety when riding in cars so try to make the
experience as enjoyable for him as possible by ensuring you
vary the end destination. For example, if he only ever travels
by car to visit the vets, he may associate the car with
negative experiences. Take him to the beach, the park or the
pet shop to get a treat however and he may start to look
forward to road travel!
If your dog is still restless and unable to settle in the car,
long journeys may not be advisable and anti-anxiety medications
are available from your vet if necessary. If your dog is happy
to travel on long trips, remember that much like humans, dogs
need to stretch their legs and relieve themselves, so make sure
you plan to stop every 3-5 hours. All dogs are different though
so if you know your dog is likely to get restless every couple
of hours then make your stops more frequent.
What to take
Here's a small list of items you may want to pack in the car
to give you and your dog peace of mind:
- Leash
- Dog seat or crate/kennel
- Water and bowl
- Treats
- A toy
- Blanket/dog bed
- Waste bags
- Medication
- First Aid Kit
- Your dog's medical records
- Health certificate
- Grooming supplies
It's also advisable to make a list of accessible (and open!)
veterinary hospitals along your route, just to be on the safe
side in case your dog needs professional assistance.
Travelling by air
Generally speaking, air travel with dogs is not ideal.
Although some airlines will allow you to bring your pet in a
carrier if it is small enough to fit under the seat in front of
you, larger pets are not so lucky and have to travel in
cargo.
Some pet-friendly airlines do exist though. One such airline
is Pet Airways, a pet-only airline that allows pets to fly in
the main cabin. However, these flights are only available in a
limited number of cities.
Staying in hotels
Planning and researching your hotel in advance is essential
if you're travelling with your dog. Some hotels actually
welcome dogs and offer special dog beds, turndown service (down
to the treat on the pillow), dog spa services and doggie day
care. Ask what amenities are available for your dog but
remember to find out what cost is involved. Many hotels charge
a non-refundable pet deposit upon arrival, then a daily pet fee
on top of that.
Staying in bed and breakfasts
B&Bs that allow dogs are few and far between but they do
exist so make sure you keep an eye out for them.
Camping
Again, not all campsites allow dogs so make sure you check
before you book. Camping is a great way to spend time with your
dog outdoors though so make the most of it!