The bags are packed, the tickets are bought, and there’s only one question left before you can jet off on your next vacation: should you bring Fido?
Whether to leave your dog at home or bring them with you is a question dog guardians face every time they prepare for their vacations. If you’ve never travelled with a dog before, you might be worried about the possible hassle of having a dog on a trip. Can you bring your dog to a hotel? Will you want to deal with dog poop while sunning yourself on the beach?
On the other hand, you might be longing to have your fuzzy sidekick along for your adventure. This article will break down the pros and cons of each decision to help you made a good choice about whether Fido should take that spring break trip with you or stay at home.
If you’re wondering whether a hotel will even let you bring your dog, the good news is that many will. “Dog friendly” will typically be listed on their website. You will want to call and confirm restrictions and fees before booking. The bad news is, most hotels will charge extra when you bring a dog. Airbnb’s are frequently dog friendly. The listing should specify whether pets are allowed and you can message the host for further confirmation.
Never put yourself in a situation where you show up with a dog only to be rejected for lodging. Definitely never attempt to sneak a dog in! One stray bark from your dog could get you reported and tossed out of your accommodation. Dog friendly hotels are easy enough to find when you search in advance, but difficult to sort out at the last minute.
If you travel by plane, you’ll need a dog crate that is airline approved. Most will mention whether they are airline approved on the box. Every airline has their own restrictions on dogs. As long as your dog is under twenty pounds, most will let the dog onto the airplane with you.
Trying to eat out with a dog is a huge con. Indoor sit down places will not allow dogs. If your destination has plenty of outdoor restaurants, you’re in luck! Many places with outdoor seating will let you sit outside with your dog, and many will even bring your dog their own bowl of water.
Before you let these cons discourage you, remember that there are also plenty of pros. Your dog will love getting to check out new smells and go on fun walks in an exotic destination. You will get the benefit of having your fuzzy friend with you to hang out and snuggle.
Best of all, you’ll get to strengthen the bond you have with your dog through shared experiences. Dog training has even been shown to be more effective when practiced in a variety of locations, so this is a great opportunity to break out the treats and make sure Fido has “stay” down to an art.
Dogs help lower stress, which can be a great benefit when going through the frustration of traveling. You won’t need to worry how your four-legged best friend is doing at home, because they’ll be right beside you, giving you kisses and reminding you how to live in the moment for your entire vacation.
There are cons to leaving your dog behind as well. You will need to either find a pet sitter or board your dog, which is likely to be significantly more expensive than a hotel pet fee.
You’ll also have the added worry of wondering if your dog is being well enough cared for, which could put a damper on your trip. Horror stories of dogs getting lost or injured while their owners are away from home are extremely upsetting. Some dog guardians refuse to travel at all for fear of leaving their dog. Instead of locking themselves into one place, they could bring their dog with them to new places.
The pros of leaving your fluffy best friend at home are that you won’t need to manage your dog while on vacation. Your dog might also not like being away from home. While dogs are instinctively nomadic, they are also individuals. Not all dogs love a good vacation.
The decision of whether or not to leave your dog behind is a difficult one, but hopefully with this new information you will be able to decide what is best for you and your dog.
To read more on topics like this, check out the world travel category.
