At Dog Training Elite, we know hanging out with your dog is the best. So it makes sense that you want to be able to take your dog with you wherever you go, including on vacation. But traveling with your dog can be tricky. To help you fulfill travel dreams featuring your four–legged companion, we’ve created this guide.
First things first, figure out where you want to go! Do you want to travel internationally, or stay closer to home? Choosing your destination will help you determine your mode of travel. You’ll also want to do your research to find dog–friendly locations, whether national or international. For example, many national parks in the U.S. do not allow dogs on trails, making them a poor choice for a trip with your dog. Pick a destination that has lots of activities you can do with your dog, whether it’s hiking in nature or just walking around a charming downtown.
Remember, just because a location is dog–friendly doesn’t mean there is a lot of dog–friendly lodging around. Make sure you can find a hotel or rental that allows pets. Once you arrive at your lodging, make sure the room is safe for your dog to explore by removing potential dangers such as electrical cords.
Before you book a room, consider how you’ll get there. If you’re going somewhere in the same country, you may have lots of options between driving, flying, or taking some form of public transportation. If you choose an international location, a major leg of your trip may include flying, which isn’t suitable for every dog.
If you do travel internationally, look into local animal importation laws at your destination. Many places also have long quarantine periods for pets. If you don’t plan with quarantine periods in mind, you could be separated from your pet for the duration of your trip, which defeats the purpose of bringing them in the first place.
Depending on the size of your dog, you may have a few different options to choose from when traveling nationally. Traveling internationally will likely include flying, unless you’re roadtripping to a nearby country.
Regardless of how you travel, here are some general tips to keep in mind:
All of these tips will help to keep your dog safe and make your trip enjoyable, but our biggest tip? Train your dog. A well-trained dog in Columbia, SC is much easier to travel with than an untrained dog. Crate training is especially important for travel because your dog may spend a lot of time in a crate, and a crate will help them feel safe in new spaces. You’ll also want to make sure your dog is trained to behave well in new spaces, so they don’t bark and disturb other travelers or destroy property if they have to be left alone for any period of time.
At Dog Training Elite in Columbia, SC, our goal is to strengthen the bond between dog and owner, and empower owners to continue training their dogs on their own. Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog who has fallen into bad habits, we know our positive reinforcement method will work. We can help with obedience training, crate training, and even with getting your dog used to new environments.
Request a free in–home evaluation today, so you can start planning the trip of your dreams with your furry best friend!
You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!