Essential Guide For Traveling With Dogs

Categories: Featured, Good To Know, Traveling With Pets

Travelling With Dogs – Guide to Things You’ll Want To Know Before You Go

So, you want to set off on a vacation but you can’t bear the thought of leaving your precious K-9 at home? Great! Go bring him along then. He’ll be glad to go on a furry adventure with you. It’s about time he takes a break from his day-to-day life. Research suggests dogs also need vacations as much as humans do. His companionship will surely bring a whole lot of doggy joy to your trip. Also, wouldn’t it be nice to have your best furry pal trotting along at your side all the time? Because, you know, travelling can get a bit lonely at times.

But before you take your pet out for a hiking adventure or do a camping stay with him, there are some hurdles you need to take care of first. You can’t just leave things to chance when you travel with your pooch. There’s a whole set of things to be done and organized before you hit the trail. Get your pen and paper ready and make sure to take note of all these important tips for travelling with dogs.

Things You Should Take Note of When Travelling with Dogs

Plan Ahead

Many people believe that it’s impossible to travel with a dog and that it requires a truckload of money. But one thing they didn’t know is that it’s attainable and not as difficult as they think it is–as long as you do a lot of research and plan well ahead. Here are a few things to take note of for your planning:

Decide on the kind of trip you want to take – How will you describe yourself as a traveler? A mountain adventurer? An outdoor explorer? Is a big city debonair? You can choose any type of trip you want but make sure you adapt this trip to your pooch’s needs.

Go for a test drive– Once you finally figured out what type of trip you want where you can bring along your furry companion with you. It’s time to find out how you will get there. Is it by road? If so, take a test drive on how he’ll react. Is it by airplane? If yes, then this needs a lot of pre-planning, not to mention the airplane policies. However, the travel industry nowadays is beginning to offer pet-friendly tours so make sure to read up on it.

Look for a pet-friendly place to stay– Give yourself time to look for accommodations that will welcome your four-legged friend. Dog-friendly accommodations may be hard to find in some areas, but there is a growing trend for hotels to allow pets to stay with you. Once you found one, it’s also important to know about their pet policies. Just because it says ‘pet-friendly,’ it doesn’t mean it’s the right place for your dog. That’s why it’s vital to research and consider a lot of factors before you decide to book.

Health and Safety Pet Considerations

Not all dogs are suited for travelling and some climates are not ideal for dogs. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your four-legged friend safe and healthy before you hit the road. Here are some health and safety guidelines for you to be aware of:

A veterinarian visit is a must – Consult with your vet and ask whether your dog is physically ready for your trip. Discuss the kind of trip you plan with your vet and know about the limitations, risks, and medications. Get advice about vaccinations and health certification. You also need to build up his stamina and abilities before going over a lengthy trudge.

Have your dog travel-ready – If you plan on venturing to the wilderness, chances are your dog’s hunting instincts will be activated. It’ll be hard to control your dog with just a collar and a leash. Whether you trek through the woods or climb a hill, a hiking dog harness is necessary. In case your K-9 pal broke free or got lost in the forest, it’s also essential for an ID tag, microchip, and a GPS on your dog’s collar to help you locate him quickly.

Be prepared for an emergency. Once you drop off to your trip destination, it’s also crucial to ask and look for the nearest veterinary hospital in the area. Make sure to get their emergency hotline and its location in case your pup needs special medical attention.

Work on Obedience Training

When you decide to go on a trip with your dog, you must become a responsible owner too. If you leave a good impression on your holiday spot, then bringing a dog will become easier and more welcome in the future. There aren’t perfect dogs out there and not all travelers are comfortable with them. So as their owner, you have to teach or get professional help to give your dog obedience training. This will ensure that your four-legged companion will behave appropriately in any situation. Apart from this, you should also train him to learn to love his crate and look up for the proper crate that is suited for travelling.

Pack the Essentials

Not every destination has a good pet store, that’s why it’s important to pack everything your dog needs before you get on that plane. Make a list of the following essentials and tick them out before your go.

Dog travel accessories include booties or paw protection, brush, LED collar light, hiking pack, collapsible bowls, pet first aid, jacket or cooling vest, rope, two-person tent, hand-free leash, and extra collar. If you can’t find the right place to get these essentials, you can check out https://www.wellpet.org/ for more pet shopping guides.

Other essentials include dog food and water, toys, a bed, flea and tick medicine, and most importantly, your dog’s medical record and travel documents.

Countries Requirements for Pets

If you want your pooch to explore the other side of the world, you have to be aware of the rules and regulations in different countries. Each country differs when it comes to its ordinance regarding allowing pet entry. After all, you don’t want to get all your hard work for the preparation, money and effort to go down the drain once you step into the country. So, make sure to research thoroughly, look for the list of banned breeds in each nation, and verify all the needed requirements before you go.

Conclusion

There you have it, essential travelling reminders to take note of. Travelling with your furry friend can be an amazing way of strengthening your bond between you two. There is no better feeling than seeing your cute pup’s face–from the cold wet snot to the wagging tail–when it experiences something new and exciting. Not to mention, appreciating the view of the sunset as you sat along with your fluffy travelling companion at the peak of the mountain.