10 Tips for Vacationing with Your Dog

Summer is here and where I live, it’s currently 97 degrees.  For many of us, we’re planning, or have planned, our summer vacations and getaways, including our four-legged best friends.  So here are some tips about traveling/vacationing with your dog.  Whether you’re an experienced or first-time dog owner, take a scan through just to make sure you don’t forget anything.

1. Make sure your dog is micro-chipped.  And if you adopted your dog, make sure the micro-chip is registered to your name and not the previous owner.
2. Be sure your dog is updated on all its vaccinations and put a copy of the vacs in your car’s glove compartment or where you can easily reach them, if necessary.
3. A first aid kit for your dog, including hydrogen peroxide (think skunking or infection), Benadryl, Veterycin, a product that is a good for wounds and bruises, gauze bandages, tape & scissors; tick-twister, milk of magnesia — in case your dog ingests something poisonous; clean towels/paper towels.
4. Cleaning supplies – just in case your pup has an accident in the car, the hotel room or AirBnb, you want to be prepared to act quickly.
5. Google or Mapquest 24/7 veterinary clinics in the area(s) where you’ll be stopping/staying, just in case you need one. If an unforeseen emergency happens, you’ll have the info at hand rather than frantically looking for help.
6. Collars, tags, and muzzles – Be sure that the tag info is readable and hasn’t become worn and scratched. Ensure that the collars have not become frayed or are too big or small. If you’re visiting an area (country, state, city) that has breed specific legislation (BSL), be sure to have a muzzle on hand since some dogs breeds must be muzzled in public.
   If you’re a hiker or camper, consider an e-collar for your dog. Yes, controversial to some, but an e-collar when used properly, can call your dog back to you from anywhere under ½ mile to over two miles. 
7. Food, water bottles, treats and toys. If your pup is traveling in the car with you, be sure to have on hand food and water, and toys, to keep your pup occupied, while you keep your sanity.
8. Frequent stops.  While you’re stretching your legs, obviously don’t forget the dog.
9. Dog seating in the car.  Now this is a subjective for everyone. I am not a fan of crating/confining a dog for long distances.  If it’s just you or the two of you, then it’s easier to find a way to confine the pup via car seat, seat belt, or numerous car shields. This is so that if you have to stop suddenly, the dog is not hurtling through the air like a missile, and hurts you or itself.
   On the other hand, if you’re traveling with your kids and the dog, please don’t do a Romney, and put the dog on top of the car.  If you have a packed SUV, then carve out a space for the dog so that all are comfortable.  And be sure that space does not include an open window wide enough where the dog can jump out.  Too many horror tales are available on the internet of fatal, yet preventable, accidents.
10. Stopping for sightseeing.  Now this is a tricky one.  Whether you’re stopping to see Mt Rushmore, the Smokey Mountains, or you’re at the Parthenon in Greece, it’s always good to check which venues allow dogs and which don’t.  Sometimes it’s a case of planning ahead and locating kennels or dog sitters in the area to house your dog for the day, or, it’s split up and one person stays with the dog while the other visits the venue, and vice versa.  Another option, leave the dog in the hotel room with the caveat that the hotel allows pets and then you take the precaution of hanging a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.  This only works if your dogs tend to not bark. 
    

Bonus: Air Travel

11. If you’re travelling with your pup and the pup is small enough to fit into a “carry-on” sherpa bag, then it’s allowed in the main cabin (but you have to pay a surcharge.) Your dog’s carrier must be able to fit under the seat. By no means, allow your pup to be placed in an overhead compartment by a flight attendant.
    If your pup flies cargo, be sure to include inside the crate a favorite toy, blanket, and also a water carrier that hangs on the crate door.  I’ve had dogs fly cargo before, from puppy to adult, and they’ve come through fine, but be aware that most airlines will not allow dogs to fly during the summer heat.  And if some do, the flights are only at night when its much cooler and in only certain parts of the country.  Check with the airline and always, always, err on the side of caution.

So that about does it. Leave any comments or suggestions below, and I wish you all a wonderful, happy summer, 4th of July, and lots of fun in the sun.