Happy Holiday Travel with your Dog

Tiki relaxing by the tree
photo credit: DogTipper.com

Holidays are synonymous with family—and that family includes our dogs in every way. Whether your holiday plans take you to Grandma’s house or on a dream vacation, a few minutes spent on pre-trip preparations can help make sure you and your dog have yourself a merry little trip:

Before the Holidays

• Book early and check it twice. Demand is at a peak during the holiday season so it pays to book early. Be sure to call the hotel directly and confirm the hotel’s pet policy (sharing the size and breed of your dog) to avoid unpleasant surprises at check-in. It also pays to make a note of the person you spoke with in case of complications while traveling.
• Visit Your Vet. If you’re driving out of state or if you’re flying, talk with your veterinarian about obtaining a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Also, talk with your vet about any health considerations for travel to your destination. Finally, be sure to ask for a copy of your dog’s immunization records to carry on your trip.

Packing

• Pack for success. Pack everything you think your dog will need not just for the holiday but also for a few extra days in case of delays. Medications, food, treats, a crate, toys, an extra leash, an ID tag, and more should all be on your list.
• Be prepared for accidents. It’s not a matter of being naughty or nice—potty accidents just happen, and they happen more frequently on the road. Be a good hotel or houseguest by having a little emergency bag of supplies including a roll of paper towels, a bottle of spot remover and/or urine eliminator, and plenty of waste bags.
  • Plan for the Unplanned. Although hopefully you won’t need an emergency veterinarian on your trip, a quick online search can help you compile a list not only of veterinarians but also of boarding facilities at your destination in case you should become ill and need help with your dog. Packing a simple dog first aid kit can also help with minor issues along the way.

Tiki in the car, on her way to someplace happy
photo credit: DogTipper.com

On the Road

• Buckle up. Icy roads and holiday traffic make it extra important to secure your dog in a seat belt, booster seat, or crate. A safe dog travel study by Kurgo and AAA found that only 16 percent of dog lovers are restraining their dogs in the car. Not only will buckling up your dog help keep your dog safer, it’s also a safety consideration for the driver and passengers in the event of an accident.
• Place an extra ID tag on your dog. If you’ll be visiting one relative (or one hotel) for several days, it just costs a couple of dollars to have a second ID tag made with their local address and phone number.

At Your Destination

• Choose a pet guardian. The holidays are a time of high energy and lots of excitement—the perfect recipe for losing track of your dog. Select one member in your family to be responsible for your dog so there’s no confusion.
• Watch out for holiday decorations. Is your dog beyond the puppy chewing stage? Even older adult dogs can suddenly become chewers with all the temptations of a new location, whether a home or hotel. Watch out for tinsel, strings of lights, or dangling ornaments.
• Watch out for holiday foods. You know how there’s always one relative who wants to push food at everyone? While you might overindulge, make sure your dog doesn’t. Request that everyone ask first before feeding your dog (explain that he’s on a special diet) and keep an eagle eye out for holiday goodies that spell trouble for our dogs such as chocolate, raisins, grapes, and liquor; all must be avoided. Other common holiday hazards include ham and turkey bones as well as string used to truss turkeys.

With just a few easy preparations, you can make sure this is the best time of the year. Holiday travel can be a great way for you to build memories with your dog for a gift that you’ll treasure forever.

About the Authors

Paris Permenter and John Bigley are the publishers of DogTipper.com and the authors of DogTipper’s Texas with Dogs (Open Road, distributed by Simon and Schuster). The full-color book features the most dog-friendly locations across the Lone Star State. For more information, visit www.dogtipper.com.