Thinking ahead, doing a bit of extra planning, and a bit of targeted training can make traveling with your dog a lot easier. For us, taking our dog is a given, not an option. We have more fun and meet more people and other dogs when she’s with us. Our Poppy is a family member and we go on family vacations.
Poppy is always ready to travel to any beach, any time. She loves walking on the sand.
Reservations
This means we have to reserve early to be sure we can find accommodations in our favorite dog-friendly places. Poppy does fine traveling in her travel crate, but she doesn’t like staying alone in unfamiliar locations.
We also alert our vacation area pet sitters and see when they can fit us into their schedules so we can enjoy a few date nights without the pup. We don’t want to be the ones who spoil things for other families with dogs by leaving a barking dog in our room. If you’re going to a new area, ask your hotelier to recommend a pet sitter, should you need one.
Because we rent cars to travel, we have a travel crate to ensure the vehicle is returned in good condition. Poppy is great on car rides. Our last dog, Maggie Mae, suffered from motion sickness, so we’re pros at protecting car seats with our own waterproof puppy mats
Travel Training
There are a few behaviors you might want to perfect before your trip. The first is “down and stay.” This can be very helpful when putting your dog into or getting out of the car. You don’t want to have a dog bolting away when a car door is opened at a highway rest stop.
Next is renewing your effort to have your dog walk closely by your side. This will be helpful on crowded sidewalks, in shops where dogs are allowed, and when you're slightly distracted.
Finally, see if you can train your dog to relax on a towel or mat any place you happen to be. This will help when you want to take a break, if you want her to settle down under a table on a dog-friendly patio, or by your chair on a beach.
Poppy has a waterproof puppy mat
Brilliant Ideas
We were talking about travel plans with one of our favorite bartenders, Gina Richard Sargeant, at Select Oyster Bar in Boston. She travels with a big dog so we asked her if she had any tips to pass on to our readers. She did!
To reduce the shedding problem at a vacation rental, she gives her dog a very good brushing before she leaves home. On her packing list are old towels and sheets to cover the furniture and keep the dog hair off it. Favorite marrow bones to fill with goodies and freeze for times when he is left alone make him happy. A long dog lead gives him a bit of freedom while keeping him safe and away from neighbors who might not be dog lovers. (After she suggested this, we bought this long leash for Poppy.)
Finally, she makes sure she has applied fresh flea and tick medication
We would add, make sure your dog’s ID tags
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2017-2018 Penny & Ed Cherubino
be used rather than salt or other toxic chemicals. This will not only benefit your dog, but also all the dogs who pass your home. It may even help some inside kitties since the people in the family won’t track in potential poisons.