If you are like me, you probably find it difficult to go on vacation and leave your dog behind. Really, how much fun can you have when your best friend is missing you in the company of strangers or languishing in a kennel?  I suppose some dogs don’t mind being left behind but I happen to have a fiercely devoted German Shepherd who is very unhappy when his family is gone.  It’s  sad, and so hard to think of him feeling lonely while we are having such a great time–we want to share those good times with him!

Fortunately, with a little planning and a few adjustments, there are ways to bring our dogs along and not regret that decision.   Here are some guidelines for having a great time on vacation with your dog.

Safey First -

• First it’s really important to make sure you have your dog’s identification up to date with your current address and phone number.  If he has any health conditions, it’s a good idea to include these details on a tag on his collar. It’s also a good plan to take a current photo of your dog so if he does get lost, you can use the photo instead of a description on your “lost” posters.

• Speaking of “lost” posters,  losing one’s beloved dog hundreds of miles from home is something no dog owner wants to think about.  It’s rare, but sometimes things we didn’t anticipate do happen and a dog can become lost.   A great remedy, especially if you have a dog that tends to wander, is to purchase an affordable RF Tag or GPS Tracker for your dog.  While doing some research, I found a company that sells a small RF Tag that goes right on your dog’s collar for under $30. That seems like  a small price to pay for the security and peace of mind it will bring and I am definitely going to get one for my dog River when we travel.

• Before you go on vacation, it’s best to find out what regional disease risks your dog may be exposed to while you’re away. Some regions have ticks which can spread Lyme disease; other regions will have mosquitos which can transmit canine heartworm. If you know this ahead of time, your vet can help you take steps to make sure that your dog doesn’t become infected. It goes without saying that if your dog takes any prescription medication, you need check and make sure you have enough to last the duration of your vacation. If you happen to miscalculate and run out, your vet may be able to fax a prescription to the local vet, but why have that kind of stress if you can avoid it?

On the Road -

• When driving to your vacation destination,make sure you stop periodically and give your dog time to stretch his legs and take a comfort break.  Offer him some water at the same time but try not to give him much food during the day while you are traveling–you may wish you didn’t!

• Finding Dog Friendly Hotels and Motels can be a bit difficult if you wait until the last minute so it’s good to plan ahead.  If you know where you are going to be stopping each night, check out the dog friendly accommodation listings at  BringFido.Com and you will be all set. If you aren’t sure where you will be stopping, you can still find which motel/hotel chains accept dogs which will make everything so much easier.

Vacation Destination -

• When choosing a vacation venue, make sure there are activities he can share in. Perhaps there’s an off leash beach, or a trail walk he can hike with you. It would be sad if you made all the effort to bring your dog with you only to have to leave him behind when you go on outings.  Again, Bring Fido is an excellent resource for researching the dog related activities and options that may be available where you want to stay.  Here’s a few things to consider:

• If you’re renting a house for your vacation, check the fencing carefully for any gaps your dog could squeeze through.  If you are camping, it’s really a good idea to bring his crate so he’s safe when you’re not able to keep an eye on him.

• Do you anticipate being gone occasionally for several hours without your dog?  Consider a pet sitter for that day or a dog walker which you can find locally at Sitter City.

There’s nothing more fun than sharing your vacation with your dog: frolicking in the waves with him, or strolling together along a scenic trail. It’s great fun and it can’t help but improve your relationship.  By taking the time to plan ahead, you can avoid most problems and be able to fully relax and enjoy the company of your best friend while having a really great vacation.

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Links to Resources Mentioned in the Post:

Animal GPS – Affordable GPS and RF Trackers
Sitter City- For Pet Sitters and dog walkers (also babysitters if you need them)
BringFido.com -  A dog travel directory that provides unbiased reviews, detailed pet policy information, and online reservations at more than 25,000 pet friendly hotels through a partnership with Travelocity.  They guarantee you the best rate available  on prepaid reservations or they will refund you the difference + $20.

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