On the move with your Dog: travel options

[Bulldog]

What do you do if you want to go on vacation and you have a dog? Send him to a kennel? Get a house-sitter? Bring him with you?

If you board him, be sure to make sure that he gets along with the other dogs he'll be staying with, that he is comfortable with the staff, and that the kennel has ample space and staff to provide good care for your dog during his stay.

If you find you want to hire a house-sitter, be sure to do an interview beforehand, and allow your dog to become accustomed to the sitter. Familiarize the sitter with the routine you and your dog have developed, and let the sitter know of any medical conditions and appropriate medications that your dog may have. Your house-sitter should be someone you trust and are comfortable with staying in your house for the duration of your trip.

If you decide to take your dog on vacation with you, there is a lot of extra planning that needs to be done before you leave.

If you are flying, you will need a plastic traveling kennel to house your dog during the flight. There are airline regulations that will need to be followed to ensure that your dog has a safe and comfortable flight, since flying can be stressful for a dog, especially if he has never flown before. I would not recommend flying with an older dog, or a dog that has a tendency to become easily overstressed.

If you want to travel by car with your dog, I recommend acclimating him to riding places in the car with you often. Take him on errands like to the grocery store, but do not leave him in the car for too long, no matter the season. When you do leave your dog in the car, leave the windows open slightly so he has a supply of fresh air.

Take him for 10-15 minute rides at first, in the vehicle he will be traveling in so he gets used to the feel of the vehicle and becomes comfortable with the movement and being confined. Take longer and longer rides with him so he becomes comfortable with being confined for longer and longer periods of time.

Some people travel with their pet in a crate in the back of the vehicle, others travel with their pet in the seats with them. It is up to you how you wish to travel with your pet, but be sure he does not become a driving hazard. If he insists on being in the driver's face, or climbing around and causing a distraction, crate him, or keep him in the cargo section of the vehicle, such as behind that back seats in a station wagon or SUV. They have plenty of space in the cargo area to lie down, or to watch out the window. There are gates and barriers you can buy that ensures that they stay in the back, but can still see and hear everyone in the car.

If it is hot outside, be sure your dog has plenty of water, even if you have the air conditioning running. Also, while traveling, stop every hour or two just to let the dog out to stretch his legs and relieve himself if he needs to do so.

When looking for a hotel to spend the night in, be sure that if you are traveling with your dog, that the lodging is pet friendly. Most Motel 6's in the country are pet friendly, and there are books that can help you choose the best pet friendly lodging in any area.

When staying in a motel or hotel with your dog, be considerate of the other guests. Do not let your dog run loose in the hallways, keep him quiet, do not leave him unattended in the room. When you take him outside to the designated pet area, be sure to clean up after them as a courtesy to the staff and the other guests.

Traveling with your dog can be great fun! Be responsible and everyone will have an enjoyable vacation.

Jessi Hall
The Daily Press
Monday, July 30th, 2007 09:19:32 AM
http://www.ashlandwi.com/dailypress/index.php?sect_rank=4&story_id=214322

[Harlequin]

There is no way I would consider taking them on vaccation the logistics would be a nightmare, last time we went for a drink outside a local pub Heidi ended up standing on the table outside to look through the window when I went to the bar,there was nothing Val could do to stop her, I can't imagine the havoc she would cause on holiday especially if she got to much attention

Heidi goes to my parents she has a whale of a time with with their dogs and gets away with murder, she still lays the sulks on when we get back though, the rats and African landsnails also go to my parents and keep my Dad amused, the kittens are going to a cattery that we are going to visit next week, I am pretty sure they will take it in their stride nothing seems to bother them, we leave blocks of slow release food in the pond for the fish which will last them 2 weeks

[flopnfly]

We put our dog in the kennels when we go away, but I've thought about taking her for a weekend away somewhere local.

However, what do you do with her when you want to go for a meal?  You can't leave them in the hotel room unattended, and you can't tak them into the restaurant.