5 Top Tips for Picking a Holiday Destination to Enjoy with Your Dog

Taking a break and enjoying a well-deserved holiday is something that many people look forward to, especially when they’re able to take their beloved dog with them to enjoy the sights, sounds, and attractions of a new location.

When it comes to taking a vacation 37.5% of people see travelling without their pets as a definite no, and for many others, planning their trip around availability for their pet is something they take seriously. There are a growing number of venues, hotels, and destinations that acknowledge that being pet-friendly is important to their customers, and with wider choice comes more opportunities.

Deciding where to go, what to do, and whether a particular location or activity is suitable and safe for your pup is something that really has to be considered when travelling with dogs – they can’t exactly tell us if they’re not enjoying something, or are struggling to keep up – so as pet owners, it’s up to us to plan ahead, care for their needs, and make sure they’re enjoying their holiday as well!

We’ve put together some of the things that you should be considering, when planning different types of vacation:

1. Climbing and Hiking Holidays: Do You Have an All-Terrain Pup?

Not every dog enjoys bounding around and running full tilt across the terrain, and some locations – especially areas with hills, mountains, or particularly rocky paths – can be difficult to traverse.

When you’re looking at hiking or climbing holidays, it’s important to look at your dog’s age, size, obedience, and fitness levels – are they physically capable? Can they safely walk over the terrain without hurting their paws (especially if there’s a lot of small, potentially sharp, stones on the ground)? Do they listen when you give them instructions?

Although there are often break areas or rest-stops in many locations, is the distance between them appropriate for your dog?

It’s important that you plan ahead when climbing or hiking, making sure that you’ve got the basics (food and water), but also have appropriate back-up plans in case your dog gets hurt, is too tired to continue, or needs to be safely controlled in potentially hazardous areas – for example, if your dog has poor recall, letting them off lead in a rocky or mountainous area could be extremely dangerous, especially if there have been inclement weather conditions (before or during your trip) that could see loose rocks or mudslides falling down.

It’s also important to think about the trip back – they might have enough energy to get to your destination, but will they need help back?

Having a pet carrier that is appropriate to the situation is a great idea; you don’t want to overload yourself with baggage, so a dual-function option such as a dog backpack, which can be used for carrying their accessories, and your pup if necessary, is a sensible option.

Taking the time to examine different pet travel bags, and making sure they’re sturdy, functional, and can hold your dog (looking at their size and weight) will give you peace of mind when you’re hiking or travelling long distances and difficult terrains.

2. Seaside Excursions: Have You Considered Health, Safety, and Accessibility Requirements for Dogs?

A trip to the seaside can be a great day out, especially for staycation or short trips; but it’s important to do a bit of research before you choose where you’re visiting.

Have a look at the local area, investigate whether there are any restrictions on the beaches (some public beaches restrict access for dogs during certain times of the year).

It’s also a good idea to check out the local news, reviews of the location, and look at the relevant local council websites – quite often they’ll share any ratings or scorings the area has been given, which include the water quality, safety standards, and hygiene levels of the location.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast as well, taking your dog to the beach in the blazing sunshine can not only cause hydration problems if they’ve not got enough water, but the temperature of the sand can also be a problem – too hot, and your dog could end up with burned paws!

If your dog doesn’t get on too well with others, it’s also a good idea to look at how well used the local beaches are, whether any ‘dog beaches’ are available (and how busy they generally are) and plan your trip to coincide with less busy periods.

Essentials that you’ll need for a day out on the beach should definitely include plenty of clean water, toys that your dog will enjoy playing with (it’s not a good idea to let them have driftwood from the beach or to play with seaweed, as you have no idea what might be on the surface of them or if they’re safe), a sun shade or umbrella to set up a spot where they (and you) can cool down, and of course, a decent travel blanket that can keep them off the sand and comfy as they relax.

3. Weather Appropriate Warnings: Is Your Dog Covered for Water-based Holiday Fun?

If you enjoy going out onto the water, it’s important that your dog has good recall, can safely swim, and isn’t going to bound around causing problems – the last thing you want is a local fisherperson to cast off and hook your dog instead!

As with beach vacations, it’s important to look at the weather, the safety and hygiene levels related to the area (especially the water quality), and whether there’s been any outbreaks of algae or other potentially dangerous environmental concerns.

Keeping a close eye on your dog is essential around the water, they might be great swimmers – but if they’re easily distracted by wildlife (such as birds), or prone to running off – then a water-based adventure is probably not the greatest choice.

Fitting your dog with the right size no-pull harness and an appropriate choice of lead can help you keep them focused on the walk, and not distracted by their new surroundings.

4. Camping Crisis: Does Your Pup Travel Well?

When dogs travel, they can’t really speak up if they’re car-sick or need a toilet break – it’s up to you to make sure that they’re ready for the journey, and to plan stops or breaks to allow them to stretch their legs, use the bathroom, and have access to water and food as they need it.

Before you decide to take your dog on an extended holiday or trip, get them used to using the mode of transportation (car, bus, train, etc.) that you’re planning on using – if you know ahead of time that your dog can only handle short journeys in the car, but are perfectly happy to travel on the train, it’s going to make it a lot easier and less-stressful to take them with you on your trip.

Essentials that you should take with you on a long journey, or when enjoying a spot of camping (especially if you’re in an isolated area) should include the basics (food and water), an appropriate pet carrier (for tiredness or emergencies), bedding and toys (for boredom), and a first aid kit just in case.

5. All Holiday Clean Up

Regardless of where you take your pup, having the essentials for cleaning and comfort is super important. You’ll want to make sure you take plenty of poo-bags when you’re out and about, and a stylish waste bag dispenser can be a funky addition to your own look, but one travel must, that often gets overlooked, is appropriate travel shampoos and cleaners for your dog – especially if you’ve got a beast who is almost supernaturally attuned to finding the stinkiest, slimiest, most disgusting substances known to mankind to roll in!

Depending on your location, and whether you’ve got access to bathing facilities for them, having handy travel size dog products such as dry shampoo (for odour control) or suitable stick shampoo (for a bubbly rinse) can make the difference between an unhappy windows-down journey, or a happy, clean pup!

With a bit of careful research, and a clear understanding of what stresses your dog, what they enjoy, and how they’re likely to react in certain circumstances – there’s no reason why you and your dog can’t enjoy a wonderful holiday together.

Taking the time to plan can make it a lot less stressful and putting together a travel list for your pup will help you determine what you need, whether you’ve got it, and what you need to double-check you’ve not forgotten on the way back!

Dogs are generally inquisitive and love to explore, and adventuring out on holiday together can be a fantastic experience for you, your dog, and your loved ones.