How to Go on Vacation with Dogs

If you're going away for Christmas, summer vacation or just on a weekend getaway, it can be an added bonus to take your dog along with you. With a little advanced planning, both you and your furry pal can enjoy each other's company while exploring new sights or revisiting old haunts. Taking your dog might cost you a little extra money, but if being together is possible and more fun than being apart, why not take the little guy along? Here are some tips for enjoying yourself with your dog.

Instructions

  1. How to Go On Vacation with Dogs

    • 1

      If you're staying with friends or relatives, make sure bringing your dog along is going to be okay with your hosts. Similarly, if you are going to stay in a motel, find out in advance which ones are dog-friendly. Many nice hotels will allow dogs with a deposit or a cleaning fee. You might want to pick a place based on your dog. Find a hotel near a dog beach or a log cabin with a fenced yard in the snow for example (see Resources).

    • 2

      If you are going by airplane, you'll have to research which airlines flying to your destination allow dogs in the cargo hold. There are some restrictions to shipping pets on the plane with you, if ground temperatures are too hot or too cold. There is also a charge for flying your pet with you.

    • 3

      Once you get to your destination and you have to leave your pet (to go to dinner or on an outing), make sure to make a cozy place for them to hang out. Block them off into a small space with a nice blanket, food and water and a chew toy. If you have to leave them in a motel, a trick to keep them from barking constantly is to block them into the anteroom outside the bathroom, and turn on the bathroom fan. The fan blocks them from hearing outside noise and they'll be able to rest comfortably.

    • 4

      Take your dog with you everywhere you can on your vacation. The two of you will enjoy walking and seeing the sights, relaxing on the beach or bounding through the snow.

    • 5

      If you have more than one dog, consider the costs of boarding versus taking them with you. If you can afford to take both, this is the choice your dogs would make. They'd rather be with you.