Nowadays there is an increasing number of dog-friendly holidays available for you and your pet. If you do need to leave your dog though, there are also options to ensure he is well cared for while you are away.
(Check out Traveling with Your Dog)
Traveling Together
Traveling with your dog can be fun – with a bit of prop organization. Your dog needs to be controllable in public places and trained for car travel. He also needs to be microchipped and wear an ID tag.
If you plan to travel abroad with your dog, find out what regulations apply to taking dogs into that country and if there are any legal rules regarding car travel with dogs; animal welfare organizations may have information on these issues. You may need to have your dog vaccinated for diseases such as rabies. Also arrange travel insurance for him. Find out how the airline or ferry company usually transports dogs. Ferry companies may provide open-air kennels on deck or air-conditioned spaces inside the vessel. Airlines may require your dog to travel in a special crate and they also have transport rules for dogs. Check in advance that your destination will be dog-friendly. Take a good supply of your dog’s usual food, and familiar items such as food bowl. Keep to your routine of feeding, walks, and bedtimes as much as possible to minimize stress.
*see photo for image credit
Leaving Your Dog Behind
If you don’t plan to take your dog with you, there are several ways to arrange care while you are away. Whichever option you choose, you need to be sure your dog is used to being separated from you. Being alone is stressful for dogs; if they are not trained to tolerate this, they can become destructive or noisy, or may have accidents in the house. Your dog needs to learn that he will be safe on his own and trust that you will return.
You could ask a relative, friend, or neighbor to pet sit, or employ registered pet sitter. It is advisable to leave your dog with this person rather than alone in your home. If you can, arrange a few visits to the pet sitter’s home in advance so that it becomes a familiar place to your dog. Make sure your dog will be wearing an ID tag at all times. Leave a good supple of his food with the sitter, plus notes on feeding, walking, and bedtimes, and emergency contact numbers for you and for the vet. If you plan to use a registered sitter, ask your vet or fellow dog owners for suggestions on suitable people, and ask the sitter for references.
Another option is to use boarding kennels. Your vet or other local do owners should be able to recommend good ones. Staying in kennels can be more stressful for your dog than staying in a home environment. It is wise to visit the kennels before using them to see whether they will be suitable. Remember to book well in advance, especially for busy times of the year and if the kennel is a popular one.
Boarding Kennels
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When assessing kennels, you need to check the following:
- License from local authority.
- Environment – the kennels and common areas should be clean, warm, draught-free, and secure. Each kennel should have a raised platform that your dog can lie on or under.
- Feeding – staff should keep to your dog’s usual foods and feeding times.
- Handling and exercise – dogs should get attention and exercise at least twice a day.
- Veterinary care – access to 24-hour care.
Key-Points to Going on Holiday
- Comfortable car journey – Your dog should have enough space to move and stretch during a car journey, especially if the journey is likely to be several hours.
- Meeting a pet-sitter – If you decide to leave your dog at home, introduce him to any potential sitter so that you can assess how well the sitter gets on with him.
- Family kennels – If you have two dogs, check with the boarding kennels that they have a kennel big enough to house both dogs together. It will reassure your dogs to stay together and help them settle into the new environment.
