June 18th, 2020 by Becky Calvert

With the UK starting to ease lockdown, many of us are still hoping and praying we might get some sort of holiday later in the year! A holiday abroad may be too much uncertainty, so it’s a great time for us to go exploring our own country, and what better way to explore than with your four-legged best friend?

A holiday with your dog is a great way for you both to relax and have some fun together, making memories with every member of the family! For a lot of dogs, the potentially long travelling, change in environment and routine will be stressful for them, so there are a few things you can do to ensure your pet will be happy to go on holiday with you.

Plan

Planning your holiday even before you book is important when travelling with dogs. Finding a place to go that is dog friendly will make your holiday go a lot more smoothly, so you can dine out with your pooch, take them on dog-friendly adventures and of course the most important thing is finding a dog-friendly accommodation! Once you’ve decided on this, you will need to make sure that you have everything you may need in the event of an emergency, including a basic first aid kit and emergency vet numbers. You should ensure your dog is fit and healthy enough to travel and their vaccinations are up to date and make sure your dog’s microchip details are correct, and your dog wears an ID tag with your holiday address and contact details, just in case your dog decides to wander off for an adventure on their own!

What to Pack

Packing for your dog can be more stressful than packing for us humans! When I took my dog away with me last year, I’m sure she had more belongings with her than I did! You should make sure you have your dog’s crate, bed and blankets – and while you may be tempted to wash them before you go away, leaving them with a familiar smell may help your pooch to settle more quickly! Enough food to last your dog the whole time they are away – and a bit extra in case of emergencies. Keeping your dog’s diet the same will ensure they don’t suffer from an upset stomach, which could be made worse if your dog is feeling any anxiety or unease at being somewhere new. Don’t forget their food and water dishes too!

A basic dog first aid kit is a must-have for a holiday with your pooch. Nose and paw balm, tick remover tools, antiseptic spray, baby wipes, gauze, bandages and vet wrap could all come in handy in case of any emergencies. Where possible this kit should be taken with you if you want to go for a long hike with your dog! Designated dog towels are also a must, or a doggy drying coat if you have one!

Taking a few of your dog’s toys with you will help to keep them occupied and will also help them to settle.

Crate training

If your dog is crate trained, this is a brilliant way to ensure your dog will settle somewhere new. Their crate is their safe space, and if you are able to take their crate away with you, it will be somewhere familiar for them to help them settle quickly and adjust to their new surroundings. It is never too late to crate train your dog, so if you would like to use a crate for your dog on holiday, you will need to acclimatise them to it before you go. Taking them to an unusual place and sticking them in a crate that they haven’t been in before will likely cause them to become extremely overwhelmed and anxious, meaning they won’t enjoy their holiday.

Let them explore their surroundings

When you arrive at either the hotel, holiday home or campsite, it’s good to take your dog for a short walk to allow them to look around their holiday digs. Letting them sniff and explore their new surroundings at their own pace will help them to become acclimatised and ease any anxiety they may be feeling.

Have Fun!

Most of all, relax! If you are prepared, organised and well packed, you should be able to have a wonderful time with your pooch! Taking them away is a great way for you to strengthen the bond between you – and you’ll probably be surprised at how much fun you can have and the places you are able to visit with your pooch! The majority of English Heritage and National Trust sites are great places to visit and explore with your dog, as are a lot of British beaches – many of which have dog friendly cafés on the seafront. Woodland adventures or hikes in the mountains – the possibilities of dog-friendly holidays in the UK are endless. Enjoy!