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Vacations and your Pet
Every body needs one, but deciding whether or not to take the pup(s) with you depends on your situation and whether or not your dogs travel well. You'll pretty much know after one good trip whether or not they're good for the road. Here are some tips for when you can't take them along and when you can:
The Take Along Option Tips
Careful planning is the key to including your pet on your vacation. Did you call ahead to ensure that your pet is welcome where ever it is you'll be staying. If you're driving, make sure there's a comfortable nest for the dog and that he or she does not have to compete with your having over packed the vehicle. Animals, like humans, grow road weary and will need to be able to stretch out a bit. For safety, you can purchase special seat belts which reduce any risk to your animal in case of an accident. Dog barriers, which you often see in the back of station wagons, hatchbacks, and 4-wheel drive type vehicles serve a dual purpose: they restrict the animal to his or her own secure place in the car, and they can prevent the dog from being thrown forward in case of sudden stops.
*The friendly folks at Motel 6 say they've never met a dog who burned holes in their carpets, tried to steal their televisions, or flushed towels down their toilettes...so dogs are fine by them.
Never allow your pup to travel untethered in an open truck bed. Open truck beds provide no protection from the weather, hot or cold, or from the injury of impact or momentum. And because dogs can't hold on the way we can, sudden changes in starting, stopping, or direction can throw him or her from the bed onto the highway. If, at high speed, the impact of hitting the road doesn't kill the dog, oncoming or passing traffic surely will. At least 100,000 dogs die this way every year. Unfortunately, though some states by law prohibit animals (and humans) from riding unrestrained in the back of trucks, the law is seldom enforced.
If you have no camper shell and can't seem to work one into your budget for awhile, get a pet crate from your local pet store and tie it securely to the truck bed so it doesn't move around while you're on the road. Traveling crated, your dog is afforded some protection from the sun, wind, or rain, though it's safest to allow your dog to ride inside with you. Get cozy.
The Stay at Home Option Tips
Boarding your pet in a kennel, getting a pet sitter, or leaving your dog with friends are pretty much your "stay at home options."
 Boarding your Pet
Be careful when selecting a kennel at which to board your pet. Talk to friends, associates, and your vet for referrals. There are as many bad kennels are there are good and you'll want to shop around. Be sure you visit the kennel you intend to use. Check it our for cleanliness and safety and try to observe how staff handles the animals there. Are they treating them in a way you would want your canine companion treated? Prepare a list of questions and don't be afraid to ask them. Insist on a tour of the facility. How does it appear--even, how does it smell? Trust your intuition; if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
Don’t forget to bring along an up-to-date shot record for your pet. Almost all kennels require proof of inoculation and no kennel will board a pet without proof of a Bordetella shot.
Make reservations well in advance. Good kennels are in great demand, especially during typical vacation times and around holidays.
If your dog is on medication or has special dietary needs, be sure to provide clear instructions and an ample supply of what ever is needed. Leave emergency numbers--the vet, where to find you, a friend in the city who is willing to take a call in your absence regarding your pet if need be. Be sure to clearly define instructions and pet care options should you not be able to return to your dog due to any unfortunate circumstance. Without such forethought, your pet may well end up at the pound and that would probably never be your intent.
Hiring a Pet sitter
If your thinking of hiring a pet sitter, have them come to your house, and if possible, have them accompany you on a walk around the block with the dog. Observe how they interact with your pet--do they handle your dog well? Does your dog like them? Are they confident yet kind? Interview the person as though you were hiring them for an important job because, after all, you are. Let them do a lot of the talking and see if you like what they're saying. Some questions to consider are: what will be their walking routine--are they taking other dogs out with yours; are they sticking to the neighborhood or are they transporting to another area; are they bonded and insured for liability; how would they handle any given difficult situation? What responsibility are they willing to assume if your pet is injured or ill while in their care? Ask for references and call them.
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