Saturday, December 7, 2013

10 Tips for Holiday Travel with Your Dog

Hi Everyone!

Today, for this post, I'm sharing an article that I received from Paris Parmenter. Enjoy!

Ready to go walking in a winter wonderland with your dog? Holiday travel, whether to visit friends and relatives or to enjoy a great getaway, is all the more fun with your dog as a faithful travel companion. “Traveling with your dog can be a stress reliever during what is a stressful time of year for many people,” explains Paris Permenter, co-author of the newly-published DogTipper’s Texas with Dogs guidebook. “Not only will you not have to worry about boarding your dog while you’re traveling, but having your dog along can also serve as a great icebreaker at family get togethers.”

Before making plans to deck the halls on a trip with your dog, here are 10 tips to make sure you—and your dog—have a jolly time this holiday season:

  1. Plan in advance. Make plans early during this peak travel time. When booking, call the hotel directly and let them know the size and breed of your dog so there are no surprises at check-in.
  2. Watch out for ornaments and decorations. Decorations, from tinsel to ornaments to lights, present chewing and choking hazards. Even if your dog ignores decorations at home, he may be tempted in a new environment.
  3. Be prepared for accidents. Pet accidents happen, even with the most reliably housetrained pets. Carry a roll of paper towels and a cleaner such as Rug Doctor Urine Eliminator spray for quick cleanups and to keep from putting your hotel pet deposit (or your relatives’ good humor) at risk.
  4. Make a pre-trip vet visit. If you’re traveling out of state by car or traveling anywhere with your dog by plane, visit your vet to obtain a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Make sure your dog is current on vaccinations and ask for an immunization record to carry as well.
  5. Carry your dog’s food and treats. The holidays may be a time for us to indulge (or over-indulge) on food and treats but our dogs should be kept on their usual diet to avoid tummy upset.
  6. Place an extra ID tag on your dog. Consider a special dog tag with your cell phone number. If you’ll be at one location for several days, make a tag with your holiday number and address as well.
  7. Buckle up. Icy roads and heavy holiday traffic are two more reasons to always buckle up furry family members, just as children are always buckled up in the car.
  8. Keep your dog warm and dry. If you’ll be walking in snow or ice, be sure your dog’s paws are protected with booties. Many dogs also appreciate a warm sweater or coat.
  9. Carry the scent of home. Whether a blanket, a doggie duvet, or just a plush toy, bring along the scent of home for time on the road and for your hotel stay.
  10. Be prepared to travel more slowly. Just as if traveling with a small child, your holiday travel is going to be enjoyed at a little slower pace with your dog. Make time for more frequent potty stops and at least one hour of walking per day. And don’t forget to work plenty of time together into your schedule. After all, isn’t that what a holiday with your best friend is all about?

About DogTipper’s Texas with Dogs

DogTipper’s Texas with Dogs (Open Road, distributed by Simon and Schuster) features the best dog-friendly destinations across Texas. The full-color book was written by Paris Permenter and John Bigley, founders of the award-winning DogTipper.com. The 10,000+ page site features tips for dog lovers, giveaways, recipes, and more. Paris Permenter, a certified dog trainer and America’s Pet Economist™, also co-hosts the weekly Dog Travel Experts radio show with tips on traveling with your dog. For more information, visit www.dogtipper.com and www.TexaswithDogs.com.

Let's Discuss!

What are some tips that you would suggest when it comes to travelling with your dog?

It's All Related!

Pet Friendly Hotels

11 comments:

  1. Great tips!! Just in time for me... we will be bringing our little dog with us during Christmas. I will make sure to bring his favorite toy with for a smell from home.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I do not have a dog. I have 2 cats but these are still some great tips. Thanks for the great info.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome. I have cats too. They both great pets yet uniquely different.

      Delete
  3. Thank you for sharing these helpful tips! We love taking our pups with us places!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great tips, especially checking on vaccines, we took our dog on vacation and it turned out that he barked too much and the hotel threw a fit, we ended up having to find a pet hotel for him and needed his records,which we didn't have... it was a disaster... :(

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for these awesome tips! Some are similar to what we do with our cats, luckily we haven't needed to take them far. I will share with my cousin who will love to read this too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Dawn. My cats are hit or miss in the car. One is really good and doesn't say anything, the other is meowing like crazy.

      Delete
  6. This is all very good advice. One of my dogs does not travel well at all. He gets very car sick, so we have to get him a script from the vet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had a dog who would get sick and we would give him crackers.

      Delete
  7. Thank you for these tips! We're planning on getting a puppy for Bubbles' birthday in the spring and these will likely come in handy for all our travels after.

    ReplyDelete

BlogCatalog

Dog Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory