by Amy Burkert
#1. Training, Training, Training
Be sure your dog knows a few basic commands. “Come” is vital in the event a leash breaks or your dog gets loose in an unfamiliar place. Another important one is “Heel.” When you’re traveling, your dog will need to be leashed in most places – having him/her walk nicely beside you will make all of your activities much more enjoyable and keep him/her safe. “Quiet” is invaluable when you’re in a hotel with thin walls, and “Settle” is great when you want to grab a bite at a pet-friendly restaurant.
Remember, practice is the key. Dogs have a more difficult time being reliable with commands in new surroundings. So, before you set out on a two-week trip, test your progress in places with a lot of distractions, like a friend’s house or the dog park.
#2. Thoroughly Investigate Pet Policies
To many people “planning a trip with their dog” means booking pet-friendly accommodations. But the pros know that you’ve got to dig a little deeper. Locating pet-friendly hotels or campgrounds is the first step, but verifying the pet policies is vital in helping to avoid a major inconvenience. You’ll need to know about additional fees and deposits, breed and weight restrictions, and whether pets may be left unattended. Rather than calling each property, take advantage of what the Internet has to offer. Websites like GoPetFriendly.com review detailed pet policies for nearly 30,000 hotels and campgrounds in the U.S. and Canada, and it’s free. Other websites that may be helpful include: PetsWelcome.com, PetTravel.com and PuppyTravel.com.
#3. Respect the Rules
People devoted to pet travel understand that the opportunity to include our pets is a privilege to be cherished. Bad behavior by one person could have a huge impact on other pet travelers, as well as local pet owners that may have to deal with the repercussions. There is no excuse for not abiding by the rules that have been established by the hotels, airlines, campgrounds, parks, beaches and businesses that have chosen to welcome our four-legged pals.
#4. Plan for Fun
Many hotels and campgrounds do not allow pets to be left unattended, but this doesn’t mean you’ll be trapped. There are many Internet resources, including but not limited to those mentioned above, to help you locate nearby pet-friendly activities in advance. Make a list of a few restaurants, off-leash dog parks, wineries, shopping centers, beaches, and other activities to enjoy with your pooch.
#5. Prepare for Emergencies
Having your pet’s veterinary records with you is a must. But instead of lugging around the whole file, make a hard copy of the current vaccination records and scan the rest of the information for storage on a USB drive. The USB drive is easy to pack, you don’t run the risk of loosing the originals, and if you should need it, the information is easy to retrieve.
#6. Be Considerate
When you travel with your pet, you are an ambassador for all pet travelers, so make a good impression! Be considerate of your neighbors, whether that person is sitting next to you on the plane, at the next table at a restaurant, or in the next room at a hotel.
#7. Use Local Services
You may be planning a trip that will include an event where you pet will not be allowed, but that doesn’t mean you should leave him/her home instead of taking him/her on vacation. Find the local pet sitters, dog walkers, and day care and boarding facilities to “doggy sit” while you attend a meeting, take in a show, or enjoy a fantastic meal.
#8. Pack Extra
You don’t want to learn this one the hard way. A delay beyond your control can turn into an emergency if you face running out of your pet’s food or medication. Take an extra couple days’ worth of any necessities that couldn’t be picked up at a local pet supply store.
#9. Under-Estimate What You Can Accomplish
Just like traveling with a baby, it takes more time to do what needs to be done and get where you want to go when you travel with your pet. That’s a good thing, though, because it helps us humans remember to slow down and “sniff the roses.” When planning the miles you can travel, or activities you can accomplish in a day, be conservative in your estimates. If you try to do too much, you’ll return from your trip more stressed than when you left.
#10. Be Flexible
When you are traveling, unexpected things will happen. It might rain on the day you were planning a hike, or your dog could have “one of those days” and doesn’t seem to remember any of the commands you worked so hard on. Anticipating these speed bumps will allow you to maneuver around them with ease by rearranging your schedule or recognizing that some activities may have to wait for your next visit.
Amy and Rod Burkert travel extensively with their two dogs, Buster and Ty, in their Winnebago. They write a blog about their adventures, and own and operate GoPetFriendly.com, a free Internet website where users can find places to go and things to do with their pets throughout the US and Canada, including hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, beaches, wineries, shopping centers, off-leash dog parks and much more. Also offering a unique Roadtrip Planner that makes planning a vacation a breeze, and detailed hotel pet policies, GoPetFriendly links up with leading reservation sites, so users can find a great deal. You can connect with them on the Take Paws blog, Twitter and Facebook.
