Essential tips for taking your dog on holiday with you

5 Essential tips for taking your dog on holiday.

For many of us our dog is part of the family and if you are taking a holiday in the UK, you may consider taking them on holiday with you.

There are so many dog friendly places you can visit but here are a 5 Essential things to look at before taking your dog on holiday with you.

Packing for your Dog

Collar & Lead – check you have your usual lead with you but maybe consider taking a spare as well.

Bedding – this brings familiarity to your dog and will help them settle into a strange place.

Coat – it may be useful taking a waterproof coat for those with thinner coats or a fleece or drying coat for after those adventure or coastal walks.

Towels – always useful to have a towel for your dog’s paws.

Food – take enough of your dog’s normal food so they don’t have a change of diet which may upset their tummy.

Bowls – a food bowl, water bowl and travelling water bowl.

Water container – useful to have in the car for the journey and trips out during your holiday.

Poo Bags – take plenty!

First Aid Kit – It’s sensible having a small first aid kit and maybe a tick remover. If your dog is on any medication don’t forget to take that.

Brush – essential for those with longer fur to prevent matting.

Bumbag/ruckstack – to take the essential dog items for those days out to leave your hands free.

Corkscrew – now this isn’t to open your bottle of wine but the type that you can put into the ground to tether your dog’s lead to during picnics or in pub gardens.

Torch – useful for any late-night walks.

Treats – useful for distraction tactics

 

Travelling with your Dog

Your journey may be longer than your dog is used to but considering the best way to travel your dog in the car ahead of your holiday will reduce any stress on you or your dog.

Rule 57 of the Highway Code states – “When in a vehicle, make sure your dog is suitably restrained so they cannot disturb you while you are driving or injure you or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars”.

Travel your dog in the way that suits them and your vehicle.

Helping your Dog Settle in

Having arrived at your holiday destination with your dog you can help them settle.

Confident dogs should adjust without feeling much stress but still watch for signs of anxiety. Try to make their holiday as familiar as possible by using their own bedding with familiar scents.

With a more anxious dog you could try pet calming products such as Pet Remedy but also sticking to their normal routine such as feeding.

On arrival show your dog the toilet area so there is no confusion for them.

You could bring some of their toys for them to play with rather than finding something inappropriate items in the property.

Ensure any garden is secure – and check it before letting your dog roam free.

 

Doggy Etiquette

Just because you are on holiday it doesn’t mean your dog’s manners should be forgotten!!

If staying in a hotel or B&B remember that not everyone is a dog lover so don’t allow your dog to annoy others.

Always pick up your dog’s poo in grounds or gardens and ask where poo bags can be disposed of.

Exercise caution

 when approaching other dogs – not all dogs are friendly, or they may be need space.

For the safety of your dog don’t ignore signs which ask for dogs to be on a lead.

Check ahead whether attractions or restaurants/pubs are dog friendly.

Tips to make your holiday go smoothly.

Make sure your dog is insured, not just for accidents and illness but look at third party liability. Check your policy before your go away to check that you have cover for damage to property is included. Sometimes your dog may act out of character when in a strange place.

Your dog may feel a bit anxious or even homesick due to the change in routine or environment so consider Rescue Remedy or similar products.

Research before you go on holiday, take down some addresses and telephone numbers of useful contacts such as vets, pubs, your accommodation, and tourist information centres.

Find the nearest vet practise should an emergency arise.

See if you can find a pet sitting service that you could use should you wish to visit somewhere that dogs are not permitted.