Taking your dog along on the family
vacation can be a rewarding experience for everyone. But
you need to make plans for your dog, many small problems
can come up and it's best to be prepared when away from
home. You can't just stick the dog in the car and take
off. Taking your dog along is just like taking a child. A
little extra planning can make a huge difference! Here
are a few tips for vacationing with your dog....
Plan ahead! Make sure your dog
is welcome wherever you plan on staying. Many
hotels and campsites have specific rules on pets.
Visit your vet a few days
before leaving. Tell him your plans and make sure
your dog is in good condition to travel. Some
areas of the country have higher incidents of
certain diseases, make sure your dog is protected.
Take along a copy of your
charts (found on this site). The General
Information chart and the Medical
Record chart. This could be vital should
there be an emergency. Also list your travel
destination and be sure your dog has on an ID tag.
It may prove helpful should your dog get
separated from you.
Many dogs get car sick. It's
best before you leave to see if your cog is one
of them. Begin by taking your dog on short trips...slowly
adding distance each day. See how your dog reacts
before you are on a several hour trip.
Should your dog get sick, speak to your vet.
there are medications to ease the motion sickness.
Keep your dog on a leash and in
site at all times. Many dogs get stolen or lost.
It's easy to get 'caught up' in activities and
forget to keep a close eye on your pet.
Use a carrier or harness while
traveling. Dogs have no way to hang on should you
have to stop suddenly. Dogs can easily suffer
from heat stroke...so be sure to carry a fresh
supply of water and encourage him to drink often.
Never leave your dog in a car.
The temperature can easily and quickly reach over
100 degrees...even with the windows cracked!
Maintain your dog's regular
feeding times and food.
Take along a first aid kit for
your dog. See my page on First
Aid for a list of the most important
items. It is a good idea to keep your charts in
there also!
Take along your dog's favorite
toys and his bedding if possible. Your dog will
feel a sense of security with these familiar
items.
