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Powered by Mom Blog talks about Travelling with Dogs
If you have a dog in your family you’ve no doubt experienced one challenge or another when trying to travel with your dogs. We of course love our dogs and wish we could take them everywhere but of course this is not always possible. I admit that sometimes too there are advantages when you don’t travel with your dogs. Up until a couple of years ago we were blessed we always had a family member who could stay with our dogs and cat(s) at the time so we’ve never ever had to put them in a kennel. We know it’s sometimes avoidable and some people have to board their pets but we’ve been fortunate we have not had to do that.
Our Blue Heeler Luna she’s such a well behaved girl 🙂
This past weekend we had a last minute opportunity to go to the Okanagan area of our beautiful province British Columbia so we decided this was a good trip to go travelling with our dogs Luna and Little Zeus (LZ). First of course we had to find pet friendly accommodations, we’ve learned in the past this is not always an easy task.
We were surprised to learn that the area we were staying in Penticton had more than a few choices for pet friendly accommodations. We secured a spot that was on the Okanagan Lake itself, with a park beside it and even a doggy beach within walking distance, total score! However, this trip also reminded me of some of the challenges of travelling with dogs so I thought it was a great time to share some tips and ideas.
Things to keep in mind when travelling with dogs (you probably already know them all but sometimes we need to be reminded 🙂 )
- Always have a water bowl and water on hand with you when travelling by car and to bring to the hotel/campground/motel wherever you’re staying. You can’t assume something will be available to use when you’re there.
- Even if you’re staying in a pet friendly hotel they all have the policy of not leaving your dogs in the room unattended. This can provide some challenges, what do you do if you need to go out to eat, want to enjoy the pool or other facilities at the hotel etc..? You have to take turns with those in your party as to who gets to stay with the dogs or goes for a walk with them etc..
- You can’t assume you can go out to eat or shopping and have your dogs in the car. It was warm and sunny weather for us this weekend and even with the windows open our dogs could still suffer in the car. REMEMBER an open window in a car in hot heat does not mean your dog is safe. Imagine yourself sitting in that same vehicle with the sun shining down on you and how hot it can be. I tried that this weekend myself and you know what with all our windows open and the sun roof it still got too hot after 10 minutes. If it’s too hot for us it’s definitely too hot for them.
- We took turns staying with the dogs, walking them and picking up food on the go and we ate on the beach instead or back in our room and sat on the balcony. There was no sitting down in a restaurant to eat for us except the one where we could sit outside and they let us have our dogs near us 🙂
- Don’t be caught without the poop bags with you ever, you just never know when you dog has to go. The same goes for leashes, not everyone is a dog lover and, while your dog may be the best behaved dog in the history of dogs it’s still best to have them on the leash especially where it’s required. No point in risking anything unexpected or ticking people off everyone is there to enjoy themselves. If the area has an off leash park that’s the place to go.
- I always suggest bringing a towel and blanket for the dogs, not all hotels will have such things for your dogs, in fact most we’ve stayed at have not.
- Last but not least enjoy yourselves but just remember when travelling with dogs they are actually a high priority as you have to consider their comfort, being courteous of other travellers and those around you and safety above all else. It can still be an enjoyable vacation for all one you got to spend with your dogs!
We thoroughly enjoyed our time and we got to what we wanted for the most part, swimming in the pool (hubby and I took turns with our daughter), going to the lake, enjoying some great food via take out or pet friendly patio and the dogs got go off leash swimming at their own doggy beach. Not to mention Luna and Little Zeus were so happy to be with us. So overall it was a fun weekend away for everyone two and four legged family members alike.
Luna enjoying some swimming at the doggy beach in Penticton, BC
What tips would you like to share when travelling with dogs?. Feel free to comment below we’d love to hear from you!
Miss Molly Says says
We LOVED all the PAWSOME tips! Just wanted you to know that Miss Molly and the pack has picked it as a feature in the Pet Bloggers Showcase this week! Congrats!
Sonja Lishchynski says
Been travelling with my dog internationally for over 6 years. In fact – that is what I blog about. I have loads of tips and tricks. For one – don’t stay at hotels. Vacation rentals are a much better deal both for the pet, and for the wallet. Win win. Microchip AND register your pet. skipping the registration means the chip is useless. Put a “paper insert” tag on the collar with your current address on top of a metal one with yoru phone number. I could go on and on and on…. Montecristo LOVES to travel and I know many many pet travel bloggers. It’s not actually that hard. It’s a question of temperament and habit. 🙂
dawn says
Great advice! I don’t venture away from home too often, but I do like to include my dogs when I do. It takes some planning, but it is worth it!
Thank you for joining the Pet Blogger Showcase!
Beth Patterson says
These are great tips! When we vacation with our dogs, we usually rent a cabin or house, so we bring their crates along with us. That way if we need to leave them at home, we know that they won’t get into any trouble while we are gone.
Susan Bewley says
Thank you for sharing! Traveling with dogs is so challenging. I am planning on blogging about my adventure of driving cross country with Ivi, which was much more challenging than I imagined, especially with a big dog! It isn’t as hard as many people think though, especially if you are prepared!
Edna Williams says
My dog would love camping! I travel with my dog, and I love it! Thanks for the article!
Cindy S. says
Our dog gets car sick. This makes it especially difficult to go very far with her. I guess boarding is in our future. Darn.
Michele Ash says
Thanks so much for the Fantastic Review on Travelling with Dogs! We haven’t taken a vacation in over 10 years, up until 2014! When the kids were real little, we would have our neighbor watch our dogs while we went to the shore for the weekend and visa versa. We’d watch their dogs went they went away! We kind of fell into our Motor Home and it’s an older one, however, it still works! Last year we all went in the Motor Home to Virginia. Our dogs loved it! they got to take long walks and even play in the “dog playland” they had available! I always wondered what it was like to, well, sort of camp. We had a terrific time! The kids had so much to do at the park and hubby and I walked the dogs, or just took walks ourselves. It was so quiet and so nice! I would absolutely love to go again this year, however, I don’t foresee that happening! With our financial strain and the gas prices going back up, I just don’t see us doing any traveling. Anyway, we always make sure that our “babies” have everything they need whenever we travel! They have their food and water dishes and their dog food as well as their harnesses and leashes! We even have “piddle pads” that we take along with us just in case! Believe me, I will never let my “babies” go without or do something that can cause them harm! OK, well, Thanks so much for sharing the fantastic review, the pictures, and your personal and professional information on Travelling with Dogs with all of us! The Tips were right on the money! You only forgot to mention about taking along their food. LOL Thanks again! Michele 🙂
Tina Bornheimer says
I don’t do a lot of traveling because of where I live there are not a lot of pet friendly places for my dog, or the places where I can take my dog are not very sanitary or up to par in my standards for my dog. I don’t trust a lot of the other dogs in the areas. This one store I go to does allow people to bring their dogs in with them, but they don’t have a proper clean up station. This woman had her dog in there and her dog pooped on the floor… all she could do to clean it up was to use a baggie to pick it up… nothing to actually clean the floor. How many times did that happen in there.. so no I don’t take my dog in places that I don’t know aren’t clean.
Suzanne @KawarthaMums says
Your dogs would love the trails in City of Kawartha Lakes Ontario. We even have a great off leash dog park named Howlers Corners.
Travelling with pets is challenging -especially our cat – she wants to sit in your lap and steer!
Brianna Ketchum says
such cute puppies
leslie ross says
I wish there were more places here in California that took dogs.
Monica Stewart says
Sometimes we take our Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Zeke with us to my son’s baseball games when they are by the metro park, I can then take him for a walk along the trails and to the creek where he loves to wade in the water, since he is a “water dog”. One tip I have is to always keep a thermos of cold water with you and something to pour the water into for your dog to drink out of. Keeping your dog hydrated at all times during the hot summer months is a must since they can get heat stroke very easily!
Sharon Siqueiros says
I don’t see us traveling any time soon with our 2 chiweenie puppies. They “tolerate” riding in the car and raise so much hell when the loud bass speakered cars pull up next to us…..Guthrie goes ballistic when he looks at the side mirror and sees himself or another person/car approaching…..it’s actually quite hilarious!!
Sue Hull says
I think people with small dogs should put them in dog car seats. It’s really distracting when you’re driving and a small dog is jumping from seat to seat. I just think it’s safer. My daughter has 3 dogs but they only take them places one at a time, it’s hard with all 3 of them. These are some awesome tips. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Suzanne Rose (SuzySweeps) says
Great advice! I wish I would have known the info about the pet friendly hotels back when I went to “pet friendly” hotels that weren’t so pet friendly or easy to care for my westies. — I am going to forward your article to my friend who places shelter dogs in forever homes if that is okay, and will have her give your website as credit, unless you would like me to use something else, just let me know 🙂 SuzySweeps at yahoo dot com
Powered by Mom says
Hi Suzy,
Thanks feel free to forward the article 🙂
Christina VanGinkel says
We always travel with our mini chihuahua and the biggest hassle is finding hotels that take dogs…the ones that do are often not that clean, or even if the hotel is clean, the rooms reserved for those with pets are bottom of the barrel
Sonja Lishchynski says
Try vacation apartment rentals. It’s what we’ve done for over 6 years!
Amanda Barnes says
Traveling with my dogs is a nightmare!
Kimberly Flickinger says
As an owner of four doxies, I thank you for all of your suggestions! Love your blog!
carrie steele says
My dog is a big dog so we dont travel with him much, we usally get him a sitter but we take him on lots of walks to the resivore & he loves jumping in for swims. Thank you for sharing
Helga says
Great information. I hope to do more traveling with my dogs someday.
Nena Sinclair says
These are great tips! Your dogs are adorable and Little Zeus looks just like my neighbors dog, Sugar!
Sally T. says
Our fur-baby’s go with us all the time on vacation.Dogs in general travel well in
the car,and when staying in the motel.Sometimes I think that dogs can be much better
than some children
Sonja Lishchynski says
totally agree. They just want to be with you.
melisa says
Travelling with our dogs is always difficult, they are not very happy travelers. But we love to bring them when we go camping.
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
I cant do kennels with my dogs they have anxiety and they stop eating. but I say to my hubby when we go visit family and take them its like hauling babies around the amount of stuff we need to bring for them. My chihuahua uses a litter box so we have to haul all that stuff as well
Kim White says
we travel from my daughters to home several times a year with 4 dogs and a rabbit…now soon we will be traveling back home and she is coming home too…so this will be interesting we will have 7 dogs, 3 cats, rabbit and 2 hamsters to travel with…can’t wait…lol
Joyce Alexander says
Fortunately, we have friends & neighbors that watch our cats when we go out of town. The longest my cat bud Buddy ever rode with me was 2 hours. He rides with me all the time and only peed once in the car.
Joyce Alexander says
Luckily we’ve always had family, friends and neighbors take care of our cats and when we had a dog, we always took him to this elderly woman that had the coolest kennel set up in her backyard. It was huge! There were about 10 large indoor/outdoor enclosures and ‘Banzai’ loved her & loved staying there, but Boy! he sure was happy when we’d come to get him. He passed away a few years ago, but still very alive in our hearts. I presently have 5 cats and so far haven’t taken them with us on a vacation. My best cat bud, Buddy travels with me all the time, but the longest was for about 2 hours. He did pee once, but that was my fault,
Dorothy Boucher says
well I always keep them on a leash and close to me, but for long drives, we have to stop once and awhile to let them stretch their legs and bathroom, eat and so on…in the car they wear a safety harness to protect them.
Sarah Elyce says
I love taking my dogs with me on trips but these are great things to ponder and consider before taking on such a trip. They require care and attention just like kids. As with anything in life, a little bit of preparation makes all the difference.
Brandi Dawn says
I do not have a dog yet as my lifestyle does not allow the time needed to give a dog the attention it would deserve. I make all of my friends dogs become my besties! lol. When I do get to have a dog, she/he will go with me everywhere!
Rebecca Swenor says
I have never took my dogs on a trip with us. I have taken them camping in the woods overnight though and they loved it.
Holly E says
These are great tips for our next trip. Our pug baby can be a handful on the road. I always keep her brush with them, since brushing her helps calm her nerves.
grace says
I used to have qa boardercollie named oreo may she rest in peace…my angel from above. I took her every place I went including vacation. These are great points and tips and I appreciate all you do for animals! I hope to someday soon get another older dog and this guide will help out with remembering what its like to travel with a doggie friend! Thank you very much!
RANDY FULGHAM says
I USE TO HAVE A BLUE HEALER–HIS NAME WAS GIZMO–HE WAS THE SMARTEST DOG I EVER HAD..HE ALWAYS WENT WITH ME IN THE CAR…
RANDY FULGHAM says
THESE ARE NICE TIPS –THANKS FOR SHARING
Shannon says
Thank you for these tips. I have never traveled with a pooch.
Jill D. says
My puppy is just like one of my children, so this was great info.
Sherri Burgan says
This was a wonderful article! I am blessed to have a very well behaved boxer, I just wish more places were pet friendly
Leslie Ross says
I would love to travel with my dog, but we do not travel.
Tamra Phelps says
This is good advice. Traveling with pets definitely needs pre-planning!
Evelyn Chuter says
I don’t ever get to travel, so I don’t have to worry about a place to put the dogs and cats. Besides someone is always home to watch them. My dad has a little poodle that goes with him Everywhere.
Lisa Green says
Thanks for a great post! We love taking our dog everywhere, but as you said, it does have its challenges! I do hope everyone will remember not to leave their pets in the car. A woman in our area left five dogs in her car to go in Wal-Mart, and they all died! So sad. She is facing criminal charges. We have to love our pets just like any other member of the family!
Penni says
For small dogs, a child safety gate can come in handy for keeping your dog out of areas where you don’t want him to be.
Sonja Lishchynski says
So do pop-up play pens!
Wendi Watson says
fortunately we do not have to worry about traveling with pets our cat prefers to stay home lol he is lazy!
Nelda Gay says
Thank you for this review. I have been considering whether to travel with my dog or not. This was a great article.
Tami Lewis says
Thank you for mentioning about being in the car! I get so angry when I see people do that!
Linda Pannell says
Thanks for the reminder that when we take Maggie we need to make sure that where we go they are pet friendly. We usually take her on one day trips. She travels great in the car so we are lucky for that. Lots of great tips!
terri c says
people never leave pets in cars
TJ Eans says
All great suggestions! I’d like to also add that I’ve found it very useful to have a pet first aid kit in the car. It’s convenient to have the right size and dosage of items needed in case of emergency, instead of having to fuss around with human things. Good peace of mind, too.
Powered by Mom says
great idea TJ thanks for sharing I will have to remember that one!
shana vaughn says
Thanks for the very helpful tips!
Rita Spratlen says
I bring a wire gate and or baby gate to keep them blocked off from areas or in some places this works to let them be outside of the door if it is hot in a motel. I have a bichon frise and this works for he is so small.
Susan M says
Thanks for sharing. Traveling with pets can be quite challenging, and it is always great to have reminders!
We have not yet had to take our furry child too far from home, so these were great tips for me to keep in mind!
Sonja Lishchynski says
I have found that like with everything – once you’ve done it a few times … it’s no longer a challenge. 🙂
kelly galpin says
it’s hard traveling with dogs but also animals in general. i traveled with a cat 2 times with a 24 hour drive to and from florida and that was interesting! he was amazing and didnt pee or poop in the car but i was soo nervous, one of the times i was alone!