Dogs, after staying home for over a year, it is time to start taking your humans on adventures again! Recently a few of our friends asked us for advice on planning the perfect dog friendly vacation with their families. When traveling with humans, it is important to be prepared. A little preplanning goes a long way in reducing their stress and ours. Here are our recommendations to dogs to help them plan a perfect road trip vacation with their humans.
To begin this process, Asa and I usually research dog friendly places to keep us entertained, while also keeping Mom and Dad from getting bored. We also look into restaurants that Asa and I can bring our parents, because if we’ve learned one thing from our previous travels it is “a hungry Mom is an irritable Mom!” Thankfully though, that’s one good thing that has come out of the past year. There are more options for outdoor dining with dogs. Just be sure to confirm before booking those dinner reservations!
Once we narrow down a few locations, we then focus our attention on finding a place to stay. It has to be “human friendly,” so that leaves out most of the luxurious dog spas and kennels that we find. I’d love to spend my vacation playing with new dogs, swimming in an indoor pool, and being pampered, but this trip isn’t about me. It’s about getting Mom and Dad out of the house. I must caution though to always read the fine print on a vacation rental. Some places may sound like a dog paradise, but there can be weird rules like no dogs on the furniture, weight restrictions and number limits, and my personal favorite was the place that didn’t allow shedding! It can take some time researching, however so far we’ve been lucky finding great cottages to rent. The key is to stay somewhere with all the creature comforts we’ve come to expect, but also includes plenty of stuff for our humans as well. I’m not sure why Mom puts so much stock into the cottage having amenities like a bathtub for bathing us and a washer and dryer for our dog towels, but she does, and we aim to please.
For those of you who prefer hotel accommodations, I would recommend asking for a room on the first floor towards the back, with hopefully quick access outside. This way you can easily take your human out first thing in the morning, and yet not be embarrassed if they are still in their PJs. I also like to request a room that is away from the elevator and vending machines, where it is quieter. This is especially important if you’re like me, and have a Mom or canine sibling who are very light sleepers, and you don’t want any unnecessary early wakeup calls. Also be sure to remind yourself that you’re on vacation and that it isn’t your job to protect the entire hotel from any strange noises that you may hear. Although we’ve never tried it, there are also some great Inns that are dog friendly, which are a nice mix of the amenities of a cottage and hotel. Some are even connected with doggy daycares, spas and dog walkers so you and your humans can each spend a little time apart, while on vacation together. Just remember if you’re staying at a hotel or Inn, most do have rules about dogs not being left alone in the rooms.
Next we plan our driving route. I like to map out a route with plenty of places to stop and explore along the way. After all, it isn’t all about the destination, the journey is important too. Now I’m perfectly fine with a long drive, but I know Dad and Asa can get a bit fidgety along the way. So when researching our route, depending on the distance, we find at least one stop, usually more, where we can get out for a quick scenic walk before continuing on our journey. This way we can all stretch our legs, take a bathroom break, and feel the excitement build as we head out on our grand adventure.
When vacationing with humans, it is important to pack familiar items from home. Items such as a cozy blanket or a favorite cuddle toy help make a new place feel more like home. Personally, I like to pack my dog bed because one never knows what the sleeping arrangements will be like at our vacation rental. It has never happened yet, but it is good to be prepared in case there is a no humans on the beds rule. Besides, I’m always willing to curl up and share my dog bed with Mom after a long day of hiking. I also bring along plenty of toys to keep Dad entertained. He just can’t seem to play enough fetch with Asa and myself, so I make sure we have extra balls. Remember it’s all fun and games until someone loses the ball!
Whatever you do, don’t forget their treats! As I already mentioned, we have a saying in our house, “a hungry Mom, is an irritable Mom.” Therefore when exploring new places it is good to bring along extra treats for motivation in case your humans are overtired or easily distracted and need help to keep focused. I suggest packing treats for yourself as well. I also recommend bringing your own kibble too. Asa and I want to make sure we don’t waste time hunting down our favorite food when we arrive, and can immediately start exploring the area instead. Besides, depending on where you stay, there may not be a pet supply store readily available. Or worst yet, if you’re a fussy eater they may not carry your specific brand!
In addition, always pack your pet first aid kit. I also recommend researching the location of the nearest vet in case of an emergency. I’ll never forget our vacation on the Bold Coast of Maine, when we had to drive 45 minutes just to buy a cone of shame for Asa, because he gave himself a nasty hotspot. We thought we were prepared because before our vacation we found a vet only a few minutes away from our cottage. However, long story short, she wasn’t prepared for us. The next closest vet / pet supply store was a 90 minute round trip drive away! But I digress. Although no one wants to think of something bad happening while on vacation, it is always good to be prepared. For us that means traveling with a first aid kit and a cone.
My final recommendation is totally up to you. But I like to give Mother Nature a call before heading off on vacation to alert her about our travel plans. Now I know what you’re thinking, that is a risky move because Mother Nature and I don’t always see eye to eye. And you’re right! In the past she has conjured up Hurricane Jose and Tropical Storm Florence to rain on our fun. At first I was mad at Mother Nature for not sending us endless blue skies, but now I realize she did it as a favor to us. Mother Nature wanted to remind us that although it is good to fill Mom and Dad’s vacation with hiking, Hiking and more HIKING, it is also important that we slow down and relax. After all it is our vacation too, so Mom and Dad will just have to take a break for a day or two while Asa and I enjoy some quiet time.
Also please remember when on vacation, the rules do apply to you. Take the time to learn the dog rules for the beaches, trails, and other places you plan to take your family, and always remember your Dog Etiquette. Stay on-leash when required, respect your fellow vacationers, and always pick up the poop! We want to keep these places dog friendly, so that others pups can continue enjoying them long after your vacation is over!
