Summer vacations are a common thing for many people, but some extra thought needs to be put into it when traveling with your dogs. Some of this may only apply to travel by vehicle, but definitely used for any travel with dogs. I actually travel at the end of August or early Sept because it’s usually a little cooler & less busy. As you may remember Echo is dog reactive (working with him) so prefer when there are less people with dogs where we travel to.
I have camped with all my dogs many times. I took two of my previous dogs on vacation along with a friend to see my sister Pam & we went camping with her family. We also stayed at my sister’s home for a few days with the dogs. That was when I found out if you have a male dog who likes to lift his leg & mark his territory belly bands are a must. https://amzn.to/4laifjp The band wraps around your dogs waist & if they urinate it absorbs in the band & not on the sofa, chair or beam in the house. They are absorbent & washable & an item I now take a long just in case. Sam had one on when he was in my sister’s home & so grateful he was wearing one.
I started taking Hunter on vacation with me in 2021 when I was originally going to head to Arkansas to visit a dear friend. The trip was cancelled the week I was to leave due to my friend being hospitalized unexpectedly. Hunter was going along on that trip & I hadn’t adopted Echo yet. A friend encouraged me to go on vacation somewhere, she knew I was excited about getting away. She suggested looking at Airbnb or Vrbo type websites because she had experience using them. I found a place about 6.5 hours away that allowed my dog so I booked it. Please note the pet rules when booking to rent a place, they vary a lot. I found places that allow only one dog, or dogs under 20 lbs, some say no dogs on furniture, even saw some where the dogs were only allowed in the outside kennel. I ask if you rent a place with your pets that you read the rules & abide by them, so pets will be allowed there in the future. Always clean up after your dog so be sure & carry extra dodo bags along like these biodegradable bags https://amzn.to/4jUeVb9 & these come with a carrier for the bags. I also recommend a doggie dodo caddy if your out on a walk & no trash can is near. These store 1-4 used dodo bags & keep the smell sealed in the container & you can clip it to your dogs leash, your backpack or a treat fanny pack, ect. https://amzn.to/3FPNoJU I just ordered one of these as I will be hiking/walking with my dogs & usually no trash cans close by.
Hunter & Echo have both been vacation with me to Kentucky, Michigan & Wisconsin(house in WI in above photo). This year my dogs Hunter & Echo will be going to Arkansas with me to see my dear friend & her family. We will be traveling my vehicle & stopping along the way to stretch our legs & use the restroom. This will be our longest trip together (10-12 hours), so I am allowing extra time in case they need more stretch breaks. I also am sure there will be some pretty scenery I’ll want to stop & see. My dogs are good travelers, my sister who travels with me sometimes says she forgets they are back there because they are so quiet. They ride in crates as they have gotten car sick in the past. Echo may ride in the backseat some of this next trip as he gets more antsy than Hunter, plus he is more protective of me, which gives me added security with him being close on such a long road trip. I use a hammock in the back seat, so if he gets sick it will protect my seat. https://amzn.to/45jLKun This one is nice because it has sides to protect extra. I use a seat-belt harness or a headrest restraint like this to keep your dog safe in the back-seat. https://amzn.to/4l4HW4F I have used harness seat-belts like this https://amzn.to/44gvTf4 but my dogs tended to step on the release & undo the belt. If you use a harness be sure it has the option to go around the headrest or clips through a seat-belt strap.
Having a crate along for a vacation even if they don’t travel in it is smart because if you want to go out for the day & your dog is not allowed where you are going they will be safe at where your staying. The above crate is good if your dog is not a chewer https://amzn.to/3STz6uK Be sure & use the crate at home a few times so the dog is used to it, it smells like him & home. These fold up for storage & travel, so do wire crates as well https://amzn.to/45jMoYP This one is nice because it has two doors & many times you won’t know where in the place it will fit. The first trip with Echo I took a long a large wire crate to use in the house we rented for the nights, he’s matured & no longer needs it. They travel in plastic crates & I bring them in the house, if I am going out to a place they can’t go for a few hours, they are like this https://amzn.to/3HXZ8ug. When on vacation don’t leave your dog all day in a strange house, they don’t understand you are on vacation & you are coming back. If you have an all day event check the area well in advance & see where a doggie daycare or boarding facility is. Check their google reviews & ask friends for recommendations if you’re visiting them where you are going. If not you could call Vets near your destination & see who they recommend.
I also recommend when traveling with pets that you find out where the closest Veterinarian’s office to your destination is & the closest ER after hours Vets office is. Best to be safe than to be trying to figure that out when your dog is injured or seriously ill. Be sure & have a copy of your pet’s medical records along with you, if crossing the state line it is required in some places to have your dogs proof of rabies vaccine with you. If your taking your dog to a boarding place for a day they will most likely require certain proof of vaccinations, check this out in advance & be sure they have an opening to take your dog for a certain day. I check my calendar & be sure & pack heartworm Preventative if they are due while we are on vacation. If I am going to be hiking I make sure they have flea & tick preventative before we leave. I also like to give my dogs a bath a week or so before we go, so I plan these things in advance.
Some of the things I bring along for the trip are: Amazon links for ideas for you. 1. Tie out leashes https://amzn.to/4jV7rVg
2. Tie out stakes https://amzn.to/4jTNkXf
3. Shorter walking leashes (may be required some places)
4. Long leashes for hiking (10-15 feet) waterproof & easy to clean like this one https://amzn.to/4kK9Ymm
5. Harnesses (extra one as well as Echo has chewed one)
6. Extra collar (broke one once)
7. Dog food (I pack baggies: measured & labeled for each meal, so I know I have what I need).
8. Lots of dodo bags (attached to leash & extra in their duffel bags-each dog has a duffel for toys, chews, medical records ect). Suggested dodo bags: https://amzn.to/45iGIOK
9. Dog treats https://amzn.to/4lbQQ0t These are Echo’s favorite & one single ingredient.
10 Belly bands https://amzn.to/3ZwuC0R
11. Dog food bowls
12. Ceramic Dog water bowl (mine share a bowl)
13. Dog bed (air mattress type for easier travel) This one is self inflating https://amzn.to/4n0jkM7
14. Brita pitcher (for filtered water for the dogs) https://amzn.to/4jSgAxE I also take water along for them for when we are traveling.
15. Dog chews https://amzn.to/446DXxT I get a variety pack for buffalo chews for my dogs https://amzn.to/43ZWQlJ These are two different packs.
16. Pet First Aid kit (hope never need to use it, but better safe than sorry) https://amzn.to/4lbRn
Being prepared & planning is the most important thing before hitting the road for a trip with your dog. Be sure to consider the temperatures before you decide to stop for a 20-30 minute lunch break & leave your furry friend in a car. Cars heat up quickly, so maybe consider picking up food & going to a park or rest area & eating outside in the shade with your dog. I keep picnic blankets in my vehicle like these: https://amzn.to/43VBt57 https://amzn.to/4jNp8G8 My plan is to get gas & pizza all in one stop or go thru a drive through & get food so my dogs have a cool vehicle the whole time. Enjoy your vacation with your dog & create memories. There are a lot of fun places to see that allow dogs, but always check in advance & make sure to follow the rules about leashes, & always clean up after your pooch.
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Echoing Great Pet Care 