Vacationing and Travel with Dogs Tips

Plan Your Trip Online

You can plan a trip and take your dog with you. Accommodations include house rentals, cabins, hotels, and motels in every conceivable price to meet your budget needs. To find out more information, you can check out these websites:

www.petgearfortravel.com

Travel Safety Checklist

If you're taking your pooch to a new destination, take the time to consider this checklist before packing your bags:

• A few weeks before you leave, get you dog current on all her vaccinations.
• Plan to feed your dog at least an hour before you leave and never in a moving vehicle.
• Make sure your pooch is outfitted with a collar or harness with an ID tag that has your current contact information.
• If you're driving in a car, harness your larger dog to the seat. For a smaller dog, place her in a crate.
• If you're traveling by air, contact the airline ahead of time to confirm policies. During warmer weather, travel in the early morning or late afternoons for cooler temperatures. During winter months, travel during midday.
• Check hotel policies to make sure you can leave him in the hotel. If you get the ok, consider crating her while you're gone. Leave a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and alert the front desk.

Are you looking for canine friendly accommodations to book for your next trip? There's a number of sources available out there for you. Consider getting a guidebook that will list hundreds of places throughout the United States and around the world. You can check with your local automobile club or bookseller for the title that best suits your location. Or, go to an Online source that lists dog friendly vacation spots, hotels, and vacation rentals. If you travel frequently with your pooch, there are specific hotel chains that range in budget from affordable to posh that will accommodate you and your four-legged companion.

If you're traveling with your pooch and you want to leave her in the hotel room, it's always best to check the hotel policy first. Some hotels will allow it and some won't. If your hotel allows it, consider crating your dog for the time that you're gone and alert the front desk that you will be away. Try to minimize your outings without your pet when you're away from home.

It's time to pack your pooch's meals for that much anticipated vacation. So how much should you bring? Rather than guess, measure out the total number of meals that he'll be eating while you're away and add a couple of days worth. Don't forget to account for travel time. It always helps to be prepared. You don't want to be caught having to hunt down your canine's favorite kibble while you're trying to enjoy your time off.

A trip can be stressful on a dog. His routine changes, his surroundings are different, and plane or car travel can be rough. To help keep your dog feeling his best, make sure you keep his diet the same way it is at home. Try keeping his feeding schedule and routine as similar to the one that he is used to as possible. Refrain from making any diet changes and feeding new foods at this time. Try to feed your dog at least an hour or two before you get on a plane or in the car. And make sure that he's hydrated as well.

If your canine likes to dig through the food supply during a road trip, make sure he can't get to it. Pack his food in a plastic resealable container. You can use one that you have in your household to store leftovers or buy a commercial container meant to dispense dog food. You pooch's meal will stay fresh and he'll be ready to eat when you're ready to feed him, not in the middle of a long drive.

If you're worried that your pet dines much too quickly and will have stomach troubles during your trip, you can help slow down his eating. Don't let digestive troubles get in the way of enjoying your vacation with your pooch. Whether you're at home or on the road, try one of these methods:

• Feed him by hand.
• Put large, smooth rocks in his dish to slow him down.
• Feed him out of a muffin pan.

Heading out for a long road trip? Don't let your canine get bored while you're driving. Bring along plenty comforts from home to keep him feeling comfortable and occupied. Whether you bring his favorite squeaky toy or get him a new one, pack plenty of chewable items to keep him busy. Some rawhides to pass the time will also do the trick. Or if you can squeeze in a few pit stops, pack a few balls or a disc to toss.

Although you may want to take your dog off leash when you're traveling, think twice. Unless you are in a fenced area for dogs or an off leash area for dogs, it's not advisable to walk your dog off leash. You always want to have full control of your dog at all times. This is especially true when you are in an unfamiliar area.

So you're going on vacation with your pooch and you'd like to spend a lot of time stress free and lounging. Don't forget that your dog may still need to get some exercise time in while you're on holiday. It doesn't have to be a chore. Incorporate it into your trip. Spend an afternoon browsing the local shops with your beloved canine. Or go jogging with your pooch by that gorgeous sandy beach;  Fresh air and a hike  do you both some good. Whatever you choose, make it fun!