How to Travel with Your Dog

The thought of taking your dog away with you on a road trip, mini-break or vacation appeals to a lot of dog owners. Just picture it – exploring a new place with your four legged companion by your side, what could be better? Sadly, the reality can be quite different. Dogs can find traveling stressful, and there can be unexpected bumps in the road which can really put a downer on your vacation.

If you’re planning a getaway with your pooch, it’s important to plan ahead so that the trip goes smoothly.

Whilst you may relish the idea of going on a trip with your hound, think carefully about how your dog will react to it. If your dog doesn’t like new places and people, or hates riding in the car and can’t stand air travel, or perhaps just thrives on his regular routine, then you may be better leaving your dog with a pet sitter whilst you go adventuring on your own.

If you think that your dog will have an awesome trip, then look into any gaps in their training. Whether you are staying in hotels, going camping or crashing with friends your pup will need to be on their best behavior. Brush up on areas like recall, and excessive barking.

Wherever you go, be safe. Don’t let your dog overheat during car travel, stop to walk your dog often and make sure they are getting plenty of opportunities to drink water. Carry water with you at all times.

Think you have found the perfect dog-friendly place to stay? Before you commit to booking it, give them a all or email to check exactly how they define ‘dog-friendly’. To a lot of places this means that dogs can stay in the rooms with their owners but aren’t allowed in common areas like restaurants, yet can’t be left alone in rooms either. Check that there are facilities available to dogs – at the very least space for them to be walked, shady spots to relax in if the weather is hot, and plenty of water bowls put in place for thirsty pups.

Don’t forget to take your dog for a check up with the vet before you leave, and make sure all your dog’s vaccinations are up to date. It’s also a good idea to have a list of veterinarians you can visit should there be an emergency on your trip.