A lot of people who lead active lives and love to go hiking, naturally gravitate towards dogs as their perfect pet because they can share all of your adventures with you! You can have a great time holidaying with your pup, but it does take a little more planning than vacations you may have taken before your furry friend joined the family. Here are some things to think about to ensure both you and your dog have lots of enjoyable adventures together:
How You’ll Get There
If you are considering traveling some distance, flying is usually the quickest way to get there. It is possible to take your dog on a plane. However, there are some rules that you will need to bear in mind:
- Notify your airline in advance. Airlines that allow dogs onboard will only have limited capacity for animals, so you need to let them know you will be traveling with a dog well in advance, and they will only allow it if they have room. They will probably charge a fee for allowing your dog on board. This restriction does not apply to service or emotional support animals.
- Only small dogs are allowed in the cabin. Small dogs will be counted as a carry on item of luggage, so you will need to pack accordingly or pay for additional luggage. They will need to be placed in a suitable TSA approved carrier which must remain under the seat in front of you for the duration of the flight, you won’t be allowed to take your dog out. Larger dogs will only be allowed to travel in the hold, and only on flights where the hold is pressurized to allow your pet to travel safely.
- Your dog must be well behaved. If your dog acts aggressively then you can be removed from the flight.
- You will have to provide documentation relating to your pets health, which will differ depending on where you are flying from and to.
- You generally won’t be able to fly internationally with a dog.
Given that flying with a dog can be a stressful experience for both pet and owner, you might want to consider tailoring your trip so that you go somewhere that can be reached by car, and will allow you to make plenty of stops on your journey to stretch your dog’s legs. This isn’t a bad thing for humans either! Or alternatively you could travel by rail, and have some time to read and watch the world go by as you travel.
Dog Friendly Accommodation
More and more hotels are becoming pet friendly, but it’s definitely doing some research and booking into dog friendly accommodation in advance if you can. Consider not just whether the accommodation allows pets, but think about your dog’s individual habits too. For example, if your dog likes to go outside last thing at night then you might be better off finding a property with an easily accessible garden, rather than a hotel where you will have to climb multiple flights of stairs to get outside!
Bring Fido has a host of ideas on its site about pet-friendly accommodation and the trips you can plan around them, like this article about trips by rail.
Keeping Your Dog Fed And Watered
If you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, keeping your dog energized and hydrated is important. Consider investing in portable water bottles and feed bowls, and make sure that you are feeding your pet a diet that supports an active lifestyle. For ideas on the best diet for your dog, read this great post by Diamond Pet.
Plan Your Walks
If you are planning to visit any national parks it is worth checking in advance whether they allow dogs, or if there are certain routes that you will need to stick to. National parks are protected, including the wildlife that lives in them, and therefore dogs aren’t always allowed to access the whole area.
Bathing
A great day out by doggy standards generally involves getting caked in mud! Make sure that you have a way to wash your dog at the end of the day, whether it’s in the tub at your accommodation or by using a portable dog washer.
