As we gear up for another summer season, you’re likely Googling “Pet-friendly stays in [insert Instagram-worthy coastal town here]” and as such, we wanted to offer some travel tips for you and your pooch on your next sunny, Rosé-flowing, getaway 😉
A bag for you, a bag for them!
Chances are, you’ve already thought about your outfits, the bag (or bags) you’re going to bring with you, and have all the essentials laid out days before your trip.
You’re going to want to do the same for your dog… albeit this bag will be much lighter, and *ahem*, perhaps easier to zip without sitting on it with all your strength to get it to close.
This bag should include:
Food supply for how many days you’ll be gone (bonus points if the food is parsed out in individual bags marked for each meal - let’s face it - it’s an extremely satisfying activity!)
Any favorite toys, treats, or bones. Don’t forget the toy that your dog has chewed the eye and ear off of, but remarkably keeps the rest of it as new as when you bought it from the store. They love that one.
Towels and blankets to dry them off when they jump into the pool or ocean after the 6th time of trying to get them to come back inside.
Travel crate! Most pet-friendly hotels will want your pup to be secure if you have to step out for dinner, for example, and would rather they not be romping through their recently renovated hotel rooms. Unless, of course, you want to take a gamble, and in that case, casinos are also known to be pet-friendly.
A comfy pet bed for the occasional snooze after a long walk (ahem, zoomies) on the beach.
Doggy waste bags. Pushing sand over your dog’s #2 doesn’t count, and you’ll likely get an earful from the local park ranger should they catch you. “Straight to jail.” as they say.
Any flea, tick, or heartworm medication if the administration date falls within your travel dates.
A pet first-aid kit. Better to have one and not need to use it than be without one during an emergency!
Training Tips for New Environments
Since your dog will be in a new place, there is always a level of unpredictability in terms of what you may encounter during your travels. We’ve listed a few tips below to help you navigate!
Allow strangers and strange dogs to observe your dog, but not to interact, or be pushy with your dog’s personal space. A dog in a new environment needs time to acclimate to the new sounds, smells, and sights surrounding them. Best not to overwhelm them with a lot of arousal or excitement as they work to adapt.
In public spaces, it is always recommended to keep a leash on your dog for safety. Most public parks and beaches are going to make this a requirement unless it’s off-season.
Related to the above, you’ll want to research in advance any places you do plan on bringing your dog to ensure that you're following all local rules, regulations, and ordinances in the town you’ll be staying in.
Last but certainly not least, bring high-value treats with you any time you bring them somewhere new that there will be a lot of distractions. While treats alone may not be a foolproof solution for all dog misbehavior, it will at least give you a leg up on getting your dog to focus more on you, and less fixated on the environment around them.
In Closing
Given the inherent stress of travel, it's wise to pre-plan both your dog's essentials and the pet-friendly destinations and activities on your itinerary. The more prepared and informed you are of your destination, the less likely you’re going to encounter hiccups that may create delays, or cause frustration in the process.
And remember to have fun! Bringing our dogs with us on our travels may put more work on our plates, but it is entirely worth it to be able to build lasting memories.
Safe travels! 🐕✨
Nicolas Angione is the founder and head dog trainer at Hope Gables Canine, based in Fairfield County, CT. Inspired by his own dog's reactive journey and rehabilitation, he left his career behind to become a dog trainer. After years of shadowing other dog trainers in the industry, he started his own practice, which has successfully helped hundreds of dog owners, both domestic and abroad, regain peace and harmony with their dogs. Many of these success stories, dog training tips, and more can be found on their Instagram and YouTube pages.
