Dog travel

[tink20]

Do you take your dog on vacation with you? Just curious. Our puppy is only 7 months old, so we are new to having a dog. For Spring break, I am going to ask my parents to watch her (hope they say yes) But, I don't want to keep asking them.

So, do you bring them, and how does it work? Can you train your dog to be a good traveler? So far our pup, is doing great. Our only problem, is she needs to be socialized (she is nervous around other dogs and people she doesn't know). If you take yours, how long is the drive? And does your doggy do well?

 

[mamamary]

He doesn't go on vacations with us but when we visit my family out of state (3 hour car ride) we bring him. He loves, loves, loves the car. Luckily it just worked out that way although the first one or two trips we had to bribe him in with goodies. But after that once he went on two rides he was fine.

 

[golfgal]

Our dog LOVES to go for car rides. If we say ride she runs to the door. If we are going some place where she can come, we take her but usually we have someone watch her at home. It is just WAY too much work to take a dog to a hotel, etc.

 

[bellebud]

Since your puppy is still young enough, I'd honestly start boarding/kenneling her somewhere now. Try to find somewhere where they do more than just board... I'm lucky enough to have a place where the person is a trainer, groomer and has boarding. So she can train if we want, "knows" how to socialize the dogs properly, etc. Ask around for recommendations, go visit some places.

It's really rough if you always have to ask people to watch your dog for you.

 

[KNJWDW]

We have put our dog in a kennel and have also taken him with us in the past. Last year we drove from WI to FL to visit my in-laws and he was great in the car. No trouble at all! This year we are driving to WDW and are staying in an off-site pool home that takes pets, so he is coming along. I agree with a PP that suggested to start putting your pup in a kennel now. It is nice to have that option if you need it.

Amy

 

[Swalphin]

Our dogs, 10.5 and 4 year olds, do travel with us sometimes. We take a beach vacation each year where they accept dogs and the beach is dog friendly. PM me if you want info on that destination, it is in FL.

There are tons of hotels that accept dogs throughout the country and places that have dog friendly activites. There are website designated just for places to visit, stay, dine with your 4 legged friend. If you google dog friendly hotels, rentals they should come up.

I would never take a plane with my dogs, too many bad things that can happen. Unless I could fly first class and they could have a seat with me!

 

[okeydokey]

We take her camping, but that's about it. She did go to a beach condo with us once but I don't look for rentals that allow dogs, this one just happened to.

 

[bigbabyblues]

It depends. If we're going to the beach, we rent a house that is pet friendly and the dog(s) go with us. Our lab travels well, and our sheltie did as well (we lost her to kidney failure 2 weeks ago). We stop often to let them get out and walk around (in the pet area, on a leash) and get a drink. We started taking the sheltie for car rides from the day we brought her home, and she loved to ride in the car. They both seemed to enjoy the beach last summer, and I'm glad we took them. That was the lab's first visit, but the sheltie had been two or three times before.

If we're going to WDW, they stay with the IL's. If we were going anywhere that we were flying (we usually don't), they would stay with the IL's. I wouldn't try to fly with a dog.

We're thinking about a puppy in the next couple of months, but we'll probably wait until after our trip to the beach. If we find one before that though, she will be going with us.

 

[DVC-Don]

We have 2 dogs. One loves to travel and other freaks out so we find someone to watch him or kennel him.

 

[MM27]

My dog does the New Jersey to New Hampshire trip with me whenever I go. She is great in the car. I bring some blankets for her and make a little bed in the back and she usually sleeps most of the way there.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Our family lives a couple of hours away and they always come with us, so they are used to "traveling." We bring them camping and on little dog friendly trips, but of course when we go on big vacations or plane trips they do not come. My parents watch them and when they are busy, they go to the kennel, but that adds up on long trips. My parents and my in-laws fight over watching the dogs, so we are lucky in that sense.

 

[rottiemom]

I always travel with dog whenever possible . I just miss my girl too much when I don't.

My last rottie went everywhere with us & our current girl does the same, whenever we travel by car. On the rare occasions that we fly somewhere she gets boarded at the vet.

We brought our current rottie from NY to CO & back via car and she was wonderful. Just make sure to stop for water & bathroom breaks regularly. Pack some water from home or bottled water in order to avoid potential upset tummies.

I checked out pet friendly hotels in advance (always call to confirm that they do accept pets & that there are no restrictions). Sometimes there's an additional fee for the pet. When we travel with Amber we bring a collapsible crate as well as her blanket & a few toys. Bagged food & treats, of course, plus some extra food just in case the return trip gets delayed. I also always tell the hotel that we have a dog in the room & don't want maid service. I leave the do not disturb on the door when we're out as well. I set up the dog's food & water in the bathroom (easier to clean up spills). Make sure that your dog is up to date on all of their shots, as well as kennel cough (just in case). And make it a point to always clean up after your dog, both inside & outside of the hotel room.

If I may add...7 months is prime time for obedience training, which will also help your dog get socialized. A trained dog will make your life, in addition to any travelling you may have planned, much easier.

As much as I love having my girl with me I do find it much more relaxing when we travel without her because I don't have to worry about her being alone in the room without us. Bringing the dog along means feeding & walking & everything else that needs to be done on a daily basis.

Oh, and get your dog microchipped...just in case.

Good luck!

 

[MichelleVW]

My dogs travel great, but I usually kennel them anyway. It's just easier for all involved and although they aren't fans of staying at a kennel, they get over it and don't hold grudges.