Dog Ownership: Traveling And Vacations
What items should I pack for my dog when traveling?
When travelling, even with an adult dog, I actually still bring a crate. It's a safe place for the dog to be. If I'm in a hotel, I don't want a housekeeper to come in and let the dog out, which may happen if the dog's loose in the hotel room. Give the dog a safe place to be. Make sure that you bring things that are comfortable for the dog: its bed, the dog's chew toys, his bowl, and of course the dog's food (water's fine at the place). Just make sure that there are as many things as possible to keep the sameness going on with the dog's life.
How do I keep my dog safe when traveling in a car?
When travelling in a car with your dog, the best scenario would be one of two things. It would be either to put your dog a crate or a have it wear a seatbelt. Having said that, I don't typically do that. I put the dog in the back seat with a packing blanket and they're fine. What I do not recommend is having the dog in the front seat. You have to remember that there are air bags and if the airbag deploys, that's the end of your dog. So, be very careful not to have the dog in the front seat.
Can I leave my dog in my car?
It's not a good idea to leave a dog in the car at any time, simply because theft can happen. Of course, we have the problem of heat, but let's say it's the winter and it's cold, and there's no heat problem. It is not a bad idea to get the dog accustomed to being left for a few minutes if you run into the 7-11 and get a quick something. It's a good thing for the dog to learn to be alone. However, you have to take into consideration that people can steal your dog, the dog can get into trouble, and the dog can also destroy your car. These are things that you have to keep in mind.
How do I keep my dog safe when traveling in a boat?
I think it's very precarious to have your dog on a boat because a dog can slide off the boat readily. A life jacket is very important. I think leashing and tethering the dog is very important. I had a client who had a dog who fell off the boat in the middle of the ocean and so he lost his beloved pet. So, I'm not a fan of dogs on boats unless you are extremely careful.
How do I choose a safe boarding kennel?
Boarding is a really precarious situation. What I tell my clients is that most kennels are like dog insane asylums; they're a cacophony of sounds, dogs barking, and craziness. The best thing to do is try to find a friend, a relative, or somebody who does at-home boarding where the dog stays in somebody's actual private home.
