Recently a few of our dog friends asked us for advice on planning the perfect vacation with their humans. When traveling with humans, especially Helicopter Dog Parents, it is important to be prepared. A little preplanning goes a long way in reducing their stress and ours. Here are a our recommendations to dogs to help them plan a perfect vacation with their humans.
To begin this process, Asa and I usually spend the winter researching the perfect area to stay. It has to have plenty of dog friendly activities to keep Asa and myself entertained, while also keeping Mom and Dad from getting bored. So before choosing a destination we research how many dog friendly trails, beaches and scenic walks are in the area. 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!”
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 and number limits, and my personal favorite was the place that didn’t allow shedding! It can take some doing, however so far we’ve been lucky finding the perfect cottage 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, based on our limited experience 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. After all, Mom is a very light sleeper. 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.
Next we have to 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. That boy just can’t seem to play enough fetch with Asa, so I make sure we have extra tennis 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. Nothing beats the taste of peanut butter dog treats after a fun morning of playing fetch on the beach. I also recommend packing for your vacation 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.
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 near the Canadian border, when we had to drive 45 minutes just to buy a cone of shame for Asa. 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, what we discovered when actually there was that she didn’t believe in using the cone of shame. Yet she had no recommendations for alternative options on how to keep Asa from licking his wound. The next closest vet / pet supply store was a 90 minute round trip drive away! But I digress. Long story short, always plan for a worse case scenario!
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.
