Taking Your Dog on Vacation to Another Dog's House

Taking your dog on vacation with you can be a rewarding bonding experience, provided you plan in advance for your pet̵7;s travel needs. If you stay with friends or family members with pets of their own, make sure your pup is a welcome visitor and that everyone has the same expectations for how the visit will go. Introducing two unfamiliar dogs on vacation takes a bit of time and planning to go well.

  1. Ask First

    • Even though you may consider your pup a member of your family, there are many reasons others may not want you to bring your dog to their house on vacation. They may feel your dog is too big and will dominate their dog, or worry that he̵7;s not trained or housebroken. For best results, always ask first.

    Vet Visit

    • Take your dog to your vet for a check-up before taking him on vacation to another dog̵7;s house. Make sure vaccinations are up-to-date and there are no health issues to be concerned about. Getting a clean bill of health in advance of your trip will protect both your pup and the dog you̵7;re visiting.

    Containment

    • Bring your dog̵7;s crate with you, if possible, to ensure you have a safe and familiar place to house your dog during the trip. If for any reason your dog doesn̵7;t get along with the resident dog, you can make sure the dogs are separated and safe.

    Household Boundaries

    • Find out what the house rules for pets are prior to your visit. The dog owners you̵7;re visiting might not allow dogs on furniture, or they may have a strict indoor-outdoor policy. If you let your dog do whatever he likes while the resident dog must follow the rules, it can lead to conflict. Knowing in advance what to expect will help you have a smooth and enjoyable visit.

    Initial Meeting

    • Introduce the house dog and your dog on leashes and give them time to smell each other and get acclimated. If the dogs fight, separate them right away. Offer treats if the dogs interact well as a form of positive reinforcement.

    Safety

    • Put identification tags on your dog, including your cell phone number, in the event he gets loose and starts wandering an unfamiliar neighborhood. Don̵7;t let your dog play in an unfenced yard, even if that̵7;s what the resident dog does, as he won̵7;t be familiar with boundaries and may wander off. Leash your dog everywhere you go.

    Be a Good Guest

    • Your pup may have accidents in an unfamiliar place, or may attempt to ̶0;mark̶1; his scent in the resident dog̵7;s territory. Be a good guest and clean up accidents as soon as you find them. When unfamiliar dogs vacation together, there̵7;s also the potential for fighting, transmitting disease or mating, if they're both unaltered. Your dog may also be destructive in an unfamiliar environment, so he needs to be watched closely.