Our dogs are part of the family, and that’s just how it should be, so what happens when you want to go away? If you are considering taking your dog on holiday with you, or on any kind of road trip, it pays to be as well prepared as possible. Planning ahead is essential, so we’ve put together 11 tips that will ensure both you and Fido have the best and most relaxed time possible.
This may sound silly, but how will your dog feel about being away from home? If you have a nervy dog, or an elderly dog that prefers their home comforts, it may be kinder to hire a pet sitter, or ask a friend to look after them. If your dog does not travel well, will not enjoy camping, or being lugged around constantly, reconsider taking your pet away.
If your dog is unruly or out of control, or if he won’t come back to you when you let him loose, then you’re not going to have much fun. You don’t want a situation that is embarrassing or dangerous. You love your dog, but that doesn’t mean everyone else will. Hopefully your dog knows basic obedience and responds well to your commands.
The next consideration is to think about where you are going and finding out whether dogs are permitted. You may be staying on a campsite or in a cottage where certain breeds are not allowed. Is there somewhere for your dog to toilet? If you are heading for the coast, which beaches allow dogs? Which attractions allow dogs? Will your dog be allowed in restaurants and pubs? Taking your dog can be very tying for all concerned and you won’t be allowed to leave a dog unattended in a tent, caravan, hotel room or rented cottage, so do think about this in advance. After all, eating a pie on a park bench in the pouring rain every night, will soon wear a bit thin.
You may want to consider day boarding or overnight boarding if you need to be free of your dog one day or night. Find somewhere local to where you are staying and book them in, well in advance. This is particularly important during the summer and at weekends.
Make a note of the vets that are close to where you are staying too. You never know when you’ll need to pay a visit. Print off directions for them along with their emergency contact number and store the information in your glove box. Take your dog’s vaccination certificates with you, and the address and phone number of your vet at home, just in case you need to contact them.
As a responsible pet owner, it stands to reason that your pet’s jabs are up-to-date and you have wormed and used a flea treatment on her (bearing in mind the preponderance for ticks and parasites in areas of forest and long grass). All dogs are required to wear a pet tag and be micro-chipped these days, and it’s a wise idea to make sure your pet insurance is up-to-date before you leave too.
Your dog doesn’t need much but what he does need is essential. Make a list and cross everything off as you pack it.
If your dog has never travelled by car, how do you know whether they can cope with it? Some dogs can get very car-sick or anxious. As far as possible, do trips with your dog to test their reaction. Create a comfortable place in the car and make sure they are secured – either in a crate or on a harness. It is important they don’t distract the driver. Once you’re on the way, you will need to stop every few hours to allow them to attend to their business and have a good stretch and a drink.
If your dog does get car-sick, avoid feeding them near to the time of travel. If your dog is anxious, you may be able to get a sedative from your vet.
If you prefer a natural product that calms your dog during a trip in the car, then Bach flowers can help with that. Bach flower mix 105 helps your dog to stay calm and prevents confusion and worry.
When you get to your destination, walk your pet around so that she can familiarise herself with her temporary home. There will be lots of exciting sniffs, so be patient with her. Do not leave your dog alone – even to unpack the car - until she is settled and happy. They will be fearful if you leave them in a place they don’t know.
Most dogs love routines. They know when they’ll eat or have treats and when they should be walked or go out in the garden. As far as possible stick to those routines. In addition, having her bed and blankets will help to reassure her that not everything has suddenly changed.
The danger of relaxing while you’re on holiday is that you let your guard down. This is how accidents happen. Remain vigilant about your dog’s safety. You don’t know the area you’re staying in so be cautious. The roads are different, there might be cliffs or coastline that you’re unfamiliar with, or animals grazing that your dog has never come across before. Be aware of the countryside code and stick to it.
You’ll be amazed at how much your dog needs to drink while you’re on the go. Carry water for your dog everywhere and a travel bowl. Never leave your dog in a car, even if the weather is not so good, the car can soon heat up and your dog will roast. Shade screens for your car window are a good idea while you’re travelling, but they won’t help if the sun is out and your car is parked up.
If you are well prepared and you put your dog at the heart of everything you do while you’re on holiday, you’ll have a great time. Stay safe, and enjoy!
Have you ever noticed that some people are instantly likeable? Many people believe that people will only like you because of natural traits you're born with: good looks, talent and sociability. But this is a misconception. Getting people to like you is within your control, and it's all to do with self-belief, knowing yourself and being emotionally intelligent. Here's what to do to be more likeable.
Learn how to recognise the signs of stress and avoid slipping into a burnout or a bore-out
Sometimes it’s hard to notice when we've become trapped in familiar routines. Take our quiz to find out if you’re stuck in a rut and what you can do about it.
Read the complete article
Do you sometimes feel your achievements are not the result of your hard work and skill but are just luck? And do you fear that one day, someone will reveal you as an imposter or fraud? You might have imposter syndrome!
Do you always feel that everything’s always going wrong? Find out how to stop this cycle of bad thoughts in its tracks. When you think positively, things will start to appear positive and you will eventually feel more positive and optimistic.
It's not always easy to tell if someone has depression. While some signs such as sadness, pessimism and withdrawal from social interaction are easy to recognise, other symptoms may be less obvious. And some people are very good at hiding their depression - even from themselves!
What can you do if your kid doesn't want to go back to school? Here are our hints and tips to help if your child is expressing a refusal to go to school.
For many people, 2020 has been one of the worst years they can remember. The COVID -19 pandemic and social unrest have changed our lives in ways we would not have believed possible a year ago. And when January 2021 comes around, we're still likely to be facing many challenges. Can 2021 be a better year?
Read the complete article
Some people are overly sensitive to the time change and it can take days, if not weeks, for them to feel right again, while others barely even notice.
Read the complete article
Can we learn from our mistakes and develop a stronger, healthier emotional bondwith our kids? To help you identify your weak spots, we’ve rounded up some of the most common mistakes parents make.
Are you unsure which Bach flowers can help you? Contact Tom for free advice.
