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Holiday travel time is here, and many of us will be traveling with our dogs. Whether your destination is a vacation spot or a family gathering there are arrangements to be made prior to departure.
If you're vacationing with your pet you might want to check out AAA's Traveling With Your Pet or a similar guide that helps you find pet friendly hotels, parks, beaches and other pet-friendly locations.
If you plan to stay with friends or family make sure they are aware you'll be bringing your dog, don't assume it will be all right. They may have concerns your dog will not get along with their cat, or one of their children is allergic to dogs or they simply don't want a dog in their home. Address their concerns and respect their wishes.
If taking your dog becomes a deal breaker, consider staying in a nearby pet friendly hotel.
Check your dog's ID. Make sure the tags are readable and the information current. If you're planning an extended stay, consider attaching a second ID tag with its contact information being your vacation area's address. Micro-chipped your pet so he can be traced back to you from anywhere in the country even if his tags are lost.
When you're traveling by air, learn the airline's policies before showing up at the check-in counter the day of your departure. Many airlines now allow small pets to ride in a carrier under the seat, but they limit the number of pets allowed in the cabin to just a few, so inquire about their policy prior to purchasing your ticket.
Larger pets that are not service animals must ride in an airline-approved kennel in a separate pressurized and heated compartment. There are temperature restrictions to ensure safe travel for these pets. If the temperature doesn't fall within the restricted guidelines your pet won't be allowed to travel at that time. If this happens remember those restrictions are for your pet's safety.
Pack more pet food than you think you'll need, if you run short or your trip is delayed, you may have difficulty finding the type of food he's used to eating and a change in diet while traveling could cause some gastro-intestinal upsets.
Bring along a current copy of your dog's vaccination record as proof he is up to date. You might be asked for this proof during any part of your journey, or if you need to seek veterinary care for your dog, the attending doctor may benefit from reviewing them.
Carry water and a bowl for your dog to drink from; there are convenient travel kits available for purchase.
Bring his leash, treats, toys, chew items and a bed or blanket for him to sleep on. Make sure he has some his favorite and familiar items from home. Try and keep to his normal feeding and walking schedule as much as possible and take him outside frequently. Just because he is well-housetrained at home, doesn't mean he's housetrained everywhere else.
You should expect the same level of training in a new environment as you did when you introduced him to your own home.
By taking a few precautions before leaving home, both you and your dog can have a safe and fun vacation.
Tip of the week: If your dog is an anxious traveler, talk to your veterinarian about what type of anti-anxiety medications, herbal remedies or equipment might be useful.
Bark questions to: Canine Companion, 11652 North - 825 West, Huntington, IN 46750 or e-mail info@caninecompanion.us.
Canine Companion conducts dog training classes in Fort Wayne, Huntington and surrounding communities and behavior consulting nationwide. Along with their combined 30 years experience and endorsement by national organizations, the trainers are all graduates of Purdue University's DOGS! Program and have earned the title of Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
