Pet Travel Tips – From an expert!

Blog Posts, Travel Blog | 0 comments

By Tracey Schowalter

B0011694-150x150It is vacation time and lots of you like to travel with your dog(s). Here are some tips to make your travel go as smoothly as possible:

  • Work with your dog now, before your trip, to help her become more comfortable traveling in your vehicle. Take her for very short rides in the car to somewhere fun or at least not to the veterinarian!
  • Feed her treats or some of her meals in your car when it’s not moving, too. (See a positive trainer for more help.)
  • Have fresh water and a bowl in the car with you. Water may not be available along your route.
  • If you’re staying in a hotel, ask what the pet policy is ahead of time. There are many hotels which allow pets, but some have restrictions on size, number, and occasionally, breed. If your dog has a CGC certification, you may be able to use that information to ease some restrictions.
  • Things you will need to take:
  1. crate – your dog cannot stay in the room alone unrestricted at most hotels;
  2. food – measure out your dog’s food for each day; food and water bowls; sheets (to cover the hotel furniture);
  3. toys
  4. collar and leash
  5. poop bags – be a responsible pet owner and pick up after your dog (keep in mind that your behavior may affect the hotels’ future policies on allowing pets).
  6. If your dog is on any medication, make sure you have enough to last through your vacation.

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  • Leave your cell phone number with hotel staff. If you are away from your room and your dog begins to bark, or escapes from the room, or a multitude of other unexpected events, you will want to be as easy to contact as possible.
  • Make sure your dog has current ID. You may even want to put a temporary tag on her collar which includes the hotel where you’re staying and their phone number.
  • If you’re going to the beach, here are some special tips:
  1. Most dogs don’t enjoy the sun like you might. Don’t insist they stay on the beach with you for long periods. Brachycephalic (“flat faced”) dogs can overheat before you know it. Take PLENTY of fresh water for your dog.
  2. Many dogs, particularly those with white or thin coats, can sunburn. Keep them out of the sun as much as possible.
  3. Ever had a sandbur in your foot? (You would know, trust me!) These are spiny little seed balls that live on many beaches. They are nearly impossible to remove from your dog’s coat. Check your dog well after each visit to the beach including ears and between the paws. They can be painful to your dog, too.
  4. If it’s a rocky beach, do not allow your dog to walk in the water. He could get his paw stuck between rocks or cut it on a sharp rock. If the rocks are small, you could try Muttluks or other dog boots to protect him from the sharp rocks or shells.
  5. Finally, watch for undertow. These vicious undercurrents can drag your dog (and you!) out to deep water and make it extremely difficult for him to swim back. Many people have drowned in undertows.
  6. Finally, it’s always a good idea to research the area before you go to find out where the nearest animal emergency room, vet, dog parks and boarding facilities are.

Taking your dog with you as you travel can be a gratifying experience. Take these simple suggestions to make sure it is.

Tracey Schowalter
Puppy Adept, Inc., Gainesville, GA

www.puppyadept.com

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