If you’re anything like the rest of us, the last few years have involved too much stress and too little travel. Which is why there is nothing more exciting than packing up the car (or arriving at the airport stupidly early) for your next trip.
But then you arrive and realise… you’ve forgotten something.
Nothing goes hand in hand quite like holiday and stress. It’s a bit of an oxymoron, after all, they are supposed to be a time to switch off and relax. But there are always a million things to organise, and that is only amplified if you have pets.
It is heart-warming to take your dog on holiday and see their happy little face as they explore a new destination. But it does add a few more things to your ever-growing to-do list.
We want you to enjoy the holiday, and not be overwhelmed by stress. And we’ve got years of experience when it comes to packing up the pups for a family trip.
This is why in this article, we’re sharing everything you need to think about before taking your pup on holiday so you can shed the stress and enjoy the break.
Some inspiration about taking your dog on holiday from Ronja & the tzus
I understand that you might feel nervous about taking your dog on holiday. You worry about them and whether they’ll settle and feel relaxed and happy, and you also worry that taking your dog might add extra stress for you (at a time when you’re meant to be relaxing).
This is why I want to share some words from one of our Dogwood Adventure Play clients, Ronja and her four Shih Tzus, Rocky, Skye, Roxy and Coco, who Ronja takes everywhere, including abroad!
‘Honestly, the more you take your dog on adventures together, the more you both will learn and grow. It fills me with so much looking back at all the places we have seen together! Their little happy faces are so priceless! And please don’t worry about what if my dog barks/reacts, of course, it can happen, and even if it does, there are worse things in the world.
But what I’ve found is dogs can sense you, if you’re tense, they are tense. If you just go, they’ll just go, they’re far too excited and intrigued by these new scents and visions, and just being with you, they won’t have enough time to think to have a full-on meltdown.
I feel we owe it to our dogs to make sure to give them the best life.
…Time is precious, go out there, live your life, take that trip, share the ice cream, swim together in the sea, be silly.
I couldn’t agree more with Ronja! Life is way too short not to enjoy holidays with your dogs, so here are our top tips to make the most of your holiday…
What to do before you go on holiday with your dog
It’s all in preparation!
By planning in advance, and ensuring you and your dog(s) are ready for the trip, you can minimise the stress around travelling. It will allow you to be fully present and enjoy your holiday - rather than spending your time stressed and worrying.
Of course, some of these only apply if you are travelling abroad with your dog - and in that case, you’ll have to be a lot more organised. But many of them should be considered whether you are travelling near home or abroad.
1. Create a safe, familiar place for your dog
Dogs, like humans, are creatures of habit - with their own established routine that makes them feel comfortable and safe.
Travelling can take your pup out of their comfort zone, and that, in turn, can disrupt their behaviour. And unlike human children, they might not understand where they are or why - which can cause distress.
That’s why it’s important to minimise disruptions in any way that you can when you are travelling with your dog.
You can do this by bringing their bed, toys and blankets - anything that will help you create a familiar, safe and comforting space where they can go to feel calm and at home. Also bring any training equipment you need, such as their ‘settle mat’ if you want to go to pubs, restaurants, cafes or on public transport while you’re away.
Your dog will thank you, and you’ll be much less stressed when they are happily snoozing away in their own bed.
2. Make sure your dog is fully vaccinated
As any responsible dog owner will know - vaccinations are a key part of a puppy's life - with a round needed before they can get their little feet into the outside world (or meet any other dogs).
Beyond the initial round, there are no legal requirements to get more for your dog - although some animal health professionals will advise otherwise, depending on individual circumstances.
However, if you are travelling abroad with your dog, you’ll likely have to prove that your dog's vaccinations are up-to-date. It’s likely you’ll need to have your dog vaccinated against Rabies if you are travelling to the EU or Northern Ireland. This needs to happen a minimum of 21 days before travel, so this one is worth thinking about well in advance.
Don’t add unnecessary stress and risk postponing or cancelling the holiday - check the vaccination requirements in advance.
You can find out more information on vaccinations for your dog here.
3. Check the rules of the country before you go
There are now a lot more rules to think about when travelling for both humans and pets (we’ve got COVID and BREXIT to thank for that).
After a long and tiring journey, the last thing you want to do is find out that you don’t meet the travel entry requirements for the country you are visiting.
So, we strongly recommend checking out the rules before you travel. Depending on where you are going, you might need some of these:
Specific health requirements (i.e. vaccines)
Export Health Certificate (EHC)
A passport
Again, travelling abroad will require more forethought and organisation, so check it out well before travelling so you can prepare in advance. Just like human passports and visas, they might take a while to get organised.
You can check EU and non-EU country requirements for your furry friend here.
4. Make sure the microchip is up-to-date
It’s mandatory to have your dog microchipped in the UK, so we’re sure that’s something you’ve already got covered. But before going on holiday, it’s worth checking that everything is up-to-date.
Fingers crossed, you’ll never need it, but if the worst should happen and your pet runs off in a place they aren’t familiar with, an up-to-date microchip can ensure they can be returned safely to you.
Plus, for particular vaccines (i.e. rabies), you need to have an up-to-date microchipin order to gain access to the country.
5. Train your dog in advance to improve recall!
Taking your dog somewhere new can present a challenge if they aren’t familiar with the area. It’s disorientating, and if they aren’t trained or have poor recall, this can become a huge stress for you and your dog when you are away from home.
This is why we recommend training your dog and improving recall - for everyday walks and holidays.
Not only will this make your holiday more enjoyable and minimise stress, but it will help you both thrive at home - and you can be confident your dog will return when on walks.
Another key skill we recommend training in advance is loose lead walking, as that will mean more enjoyable walks for everyone. Oh, and have a few focus techniques up your sleeve, too, for dealing with distractions.
Our online training community helps give you and your reactive or easily distracted dog the freedom and confidence to enjoy stress-free walks, without spending a fortune on behaviourists.
Join the Club Dogwood Training Club
6. Try to keep the same routine
Again, being away from home is likely to disrupt your dog's routine. Try to minimise the disruptions by sticking to their normal routine.
For example, keep to the same time for their walks and meal time. Yes, we know you probably want a long lie-in, and that early morning walk is the last thing you want to do. But it will help your dog settle, and let’s face it will allow you to keep a bit of a routine too.
Be consistent with your training and boundaries too. If you prefer your dog not to be on your bed or sofa at home, continue that practice while you’re away. Use the same cues you would at home and make sure the whole family is on board.
7. Find accommodation with an enclosed garden
There is nothing better than watching your dog happily play, sniff and explore. do the zoomies, and explore confidently. It will help stimulate them and tire them out for later in the day (handy if you want to relax with a glass of wine and a good book).
But letting them explore can be tricky in a place that they aren’t familiar with, especially if you aren’t confident in their recall. However, getting accommodation with an enclosed garden gives you the confidence to let them loose and explore.
Read the reviews before booking. Other dog owners are great at pointing out things that matter like the ‘secure garden’ wasn’t actually secure for their small dog or the accommodation owners' pets/livestock roam the property - lovely for some guests but problematic for many dogs.
8. Use local dog fields
Secure dog fields are another great way to let your dog run around, help them relax and burn off some of that energy.
This is especially true if you have a nervous, reactive or aggressive dog - which may only be aggravated by a disruption to their usual routine. Even if you find an empty field, you might be on edge that another dog or human will show up.
So, dog fields allow you to switch off and relax while your dog roams free. You’ll get the whole place to yourself, with no lead-pulling or panicking involved.
If you’re visiting Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, or Darlington, then we’ve got a dog park available for you - find out more here.
Related content: From Durham to Darlington: which are the best dog walks, parks and playgrounds
9. Start off with a smaller break
If you’re feeling nervous about a big trip in the UK or abroad, why not start off with something small to get you in the swing of things?
If you’re near your home, or only away for a couple of days, then everything will feel a little less stressful and scary.
Start with a shorter, lower-intensity version of your trip. If you want to go for a full day out, start with a shorter visit to a new place. If you want to stay in a cottage, start with just one night away. Want to go to a campsite? Do a dummy run in the garden!
Small steps will help you build up to a holiday, and will help you organise it with as little stress as possible.
Get ready for a doggy holiday…
Holidays are meant to be enjoyable for the whole family - including your dog. Planning ahead can take the stress out of it. But let’s face it - a lot of the enjoyment will come down to how confident you are in your dog's ability to adapt to a new place.
If you’re struggling with a reactive or nervous dog - you are not alone, and there are many ways to help prepare them for a holiday, ensuring that they enjoy it just as much as you.
That’s why, on the 3rd of March 2023, we’re launching a brand new training course - Save Our Summer! We take you through the 3 Ps: Planning, Preparation & Practice so that you and your dog will be ready for your best summer yet!
We share step-by-step guides for the key skills you’ll need this summer, including loose lead walking, recall, focus around distractions, plus how to enjoy calm local walks, days out, holidays, travelling and eating out at cafes and pubs and restaurants (sounds wonderful, right?)
