Tips and Tricks of Traveling With Your Pet
If your four-legged friend isn’t properly prepared for traveling with you, the trip may be unnecessarily stressful for both of you. To prevent any mishaps during your trip, follow these 10 steps to transform your pup into the best travel partner around.
Choose Your Destination Wisely
Before you bring your pooch with you on a trip, make sure that you arrange dog-friendly accommodations. Not all hotels allow dogs and some enforce breed restrictions. Make sure there is an easily accessible outdoor area for your dog to relieve yourself. If you plan on participating in activities while you are away, make sure that your dog has somewhere safe to go or bring them with you.
Plan Ahead
Try to expect the unexpected. Consider multiple different dog dining and entertainment options in case your first choices do not have options that can accommodate your pet. If you have to leave your dog alone in a hotel room make sure they always have access to food, water and something to keep them entertained. If you know someone in the area, ask them for local recommendations to make your trip easier.
Pack for Pooch
Be sure you pack your pup’s daily essentials with you on your trip. Be sure to bring enough food and don’t forget the treats! Make sure that your emotional support dog has plenty of toys and chews to help combat boredom. Bringing his favorite blanket may help your pup feel more comfortable in a new environment.
Stay Up to Date
Make sure you are aware of any pet policies that may have changed recently. Just because a hotel allowed pets in the early 2000s doesn’t necessarily mean that they still do today. Additionally, make sure that all of your dog’s necessary documents (like an ESA letter) and vaccination tags are current before you travel.
Don’t Rush!
Traveling with your dog may take a little bit longer than it does by yourself. When making your travel plans, account for potty breaks and any other needs your dog may have. Be patient with your pup if he is unsure in a new environment, this is normal and should get better with time. Let your dog explore new places and take in all of the exciting smells. Though it may seem silly to you, dogs experience their world through their noses!
Practice Off-Leash Skills
Many owners fear that their dogs will run off and get lost when they are in a new area. In order to help prevent this, teach your dog to stay near you when off-leash and to come back when called. This will help ease your mind and keep your dog safe if you don’t have a leash handy.
Ruffing It
Regardless of where you lay your head at night, your pup will be happy as long as he is with you. If you are traveling to an area rich in natural beauty and poor in modern conveniences, your dog should be just fine. If your dog is going to be the best travel buddy ever, he will learn from and be enriched by visiting new places.
Let Your Dog Carry His Own Weight
Chances are your dog will need a lot of supplies when traveling with you. Bowls, food, snacks, and bones can take up a lot of suitcase space. Luckily, most dogs are more than happy to carry their own weight in the form of an over-the-back carrying bag. These packs are designed to fit comfortably on your dogs back so that all of Fido’s supplies can go wherever he goes. They are made for dogs of all sizes, so you should be able to find one that works for your pup.
Get an ESA Letter for Travel
People who need their dogs with them for emotional support and relief from symptoms of mental illnesses can get a letter that will allow their dog to fly on planes with them. An ESA letter will allow a dog to fly in the main cabin with their owners without any pet travel fees. Getting an ESA letter is easy for people who qualify. A Licensed Mental Health Practitioner will screen your mental health status and determine if an ESA is an appropriate option for you. You can even use reliable online ESA services to print out an ESA letter so you can travel with your dog worry-free.
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