The best kind of vacation is one where you can bring your family. For many of us, our families include our dogs. It can sometimes be stressful to travel with four-legged companions, so we have compiled some of the best tips for traveling with your beloved pet.

Easy Travel Tips

There can be challenges when traveling with your dog, no matter what mode you choose. To minimize stress, take your dog on a tiring walk before you travel to keep him calm. When taking a road trip, he’ll need to be restrained for safety purposes. The safest thing for your pooch is to be in a crate in the back of the car where he can’t be injured by an airbag. You should be stopping frequently to let your dog stretch his legs, use the restroom and have some water. This can help him behave better and have less anxiety. Traveling by plane can be shorter, but only do so if your dog has a calm temperament. If your canine is small enough, some airlines will let you take him into the cabin with you. Call the airline ahead of time to tell them about your companion, as they may have restrictions and additional fees.

Best Types of Vacations

If you truly want a dog-centric vacation, you could participate in one of many dog championships. Depending on your pet’s proclivities, you might participate in agility, Frisbee catching, or aesthetic competitions. There are even events to see which dog can jump farthest off of a dock. If you want an active, outdoor vacation, then you could try Dog Camp. This is similar to summer camp as a child, but with your dog. There are plenty of events. If your dog isn’t very sociable, you could go camping in a dog-friendly national park. If something relaxing and chic is more your cup of tea, some cruises now permit pets to join their owners. You and your dog could see the world in style.

Exercising with Spot

Working out when traveling can be a challenge, but bringing your dog may actually make things easier. After all, your dog needs to go for walks no matter where you are. Further, there are more vigorous exercises you could do with your pet, like taking him for a run; just make sure you research the area first to ensure it’s safe for you and Spot. If you visit somewhere by the water, you could try paddleboarding with your dog, but only if you are certain he can swim and the water is calm. If you are stuck in a hotel room, you might try dog yoga to get your sweat on. For something with more of a cardio focus, there are also exercise routines made for small spaces that involve your dog.

Unknown Dog Parks

If you don’t want to actually work out with your dog while you’re abroad, visiting a dog park is a fun activity that will give you both some exercise, and doing so on vacation can be a great experience. However, you need to be prepared. Make sure your dog has ID tags and that his microchip’s information is up to date in case he goes missing. Your pooch will need to be vaccinated, and make sure you have parasite prevention medication. If your dog gets involved in a fight, do not get between the dogs. You may be bitten. Instead, distract them with a loud noise or a spray of water. This will keep everyone safe.

Bringing our dogs along for the ride on a vacation can make a trip even more magical. However, you have extra preparations to consider, so do your research to ensure both you and your pooch have a blast.

Image Courtesy of Pixabay.com

This story was brought to you by Jessica Brody of Ourbestfriends.pet