Taking Your Dog On Holiday

We’ve just enjoyed a short break in Scotland. When we go on holiday, the dogs have to come too. Sometimes this includes residential dogs but for this break in Dumfries, it was just my pack of five gundogs. Obviously, when taking your dog on holiday, there are lots of things to consider. Firstly, how to transport them. Being sponsored by TransK9, I have a trailer fitted out with these ultra safe and comfortable dog boxes. The dogs travel and sleep in the trailer; if your dog is crate trained, this arrangement is ideal. Make sure your dog can travel comfortably and safely on your journey; build in plenty of breaks if you are travelling over a longer distance.

Another major consideration is where to stay. You will obviously need somewhere that welcomes dogs with some open space around for you to exercise them. Remember, the accommodation is a two way thing. Yes, you want somewhere that is dog friendly but the host will want a well behaved dog.

Our accommodation in Eskdalemuir, near Langholm in the Scottish Borders had a horse stables, free range chickens, a peasant shoot and an unfenced, fast flowing river. My dogs were well behaved from the moment they arrived so none of these distractions or hazards caused any problem. If your dog is well trained, they should be able to adapt. Just as you can leave a review of your accommodation, the host can review you too. If you dog is noisy, sits on the furniture or causes a disturbance outside, your review will not be great. The simple lesson is, train your dog so these things don’t happen and you will be welcomed as a guest elsewhere.

Training never stops

My dogs love the stimulation of training somewhere new. I worked with each of them, just as I would at home. Your holiday with your dog is not a holiday from training. I am often told by clients that their dogs don’t behave well when they are away because it’s an unfamiliar environment – that’s a lame excuse. If your dog is well trained, they are well trained anyway. Take the opportunity this new environment presents to have fun with your training and build that bond with your dog.

Your holiday is not just for you and your dog, don’t let them interfere with your family time. Once my dogs were exercised, I was able to leave them while we went out for lunch, for example. Don’t make the holiday all about them – enjoy having them with you and make it a break for everyone.

Posted: October 8, 2019