Top Tips for a Dog-Friendly Summer

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With the dog days of summer just around the corner, many of you will be thinking about how you’ll be spending it, as well as what you’ll be doing with your pets in the meantime. Here we’ve compiled our favourite tips for a dog-friendly summer for those of you that may be considering taking your pooch along on holiday.

What to do

For a list of fun activities that your dog will also be welcome to take part in, Dog Friendly recently list of the top 200 dog friendly places 2013. The list includes an array of attractions including shopping centres, museums and national parks. Ultra dog-friendly hotels and restaurants are also included in the list. “We tried to make sure the list included top places in all 50 states and many provinces as well”, says Len Kain, Editor of Dog Friendly. “Each place on the list deserves to be highlighted as a top place for people with pets to visit.”

Packing Right

Have a look around pet stores, most have a number of innovative products that will make your travels with a dog a more pleasant experience for both you and your pet. A travel-safe bowl and a portable tie post are two examples of gizmos that can make life much easier. It is also recommended to carry a few sachets of your dog’s favourite food along with you, just in case the journey is unexpectedly long or delayed. If you are travelling abroad, it is best practice to take a good supply of their usual food with you to help them feel at home in a different environment. [Ed. Check rules for importing food]

Other useful items you may wish to consider adding to your dog’s kit:

• Non-toxic gel based cooling pad for overheated dogs
• First-Aid Kit including Heimlich and CPR for dogs instructions
• Headband lamp to walk (or find) the dog at night
• Doggie backpack or life vest with neon stripes for nighttime visibility

Don’t forget all the usual bits and pieces you would usually take along for a walk, such as poop bags and water bottles.

Getting there

In addition to getting the pre-trip prep right, you have to make sure the journey is as relaxed and comfortable for your dog as possible. One failsafe tip is to give your dog plenty of exercise before you leave, meaning they are less likely to become restless and want to move around during transit. One of the best ways to keep your dog happy and safe while traveling is to secure them in a pet carrier. Crates such as this mean they can’t move freely around your vehicle while traveling. Any carrier you choose must be roomy enough to let your pooch both sit and lie down, with plenty of ventilation included.

If you don’t think your dog will be happy to stay in a box for the duration of your car journey, a restraining harness may be a more suitable option. This will prevent your dog from flying forward if you brake suddenly, while also allowing them to see what is going on.

Don’t forget too that if you are going on an especially long journey, regular rest stops are recommended for both your pooch and your family! We also recommend that you should take with you a doggy first aid kit and ID info for your dog, including microchip number, any medical conditions and record of shots. This will ensure that should something happen on your journey, you are fully prepared for all eventualities.

This may seem like a lot of information, but to really have the perfect dog-friendly summer holiday, you need to do all you can to ensure they are safe and happy.

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