We're all going on a summer howl-iday!
Expert gives the one piece of advice all dog owners should know before going on a UK holiday
With schools out for summer and the August bank holiday weekend fast approaching, many people are packing up their bags for a family UK staycation, especially dog owners who don't want to leave their pooch behind when holidaying abroad. Dogs Trust's National Dog Survey found that 63% of dog owners said they enjoy travel and holidays with their dog1, saving pets from missing out on the fun and having to be put in kennels or stay with a dog minder. However, Dogs Trust's expert behaviourist Dom Burke shares the advice he wish people knew before taking their pooch on holiday, with the number one piece of advice being to plan ahead.
Dom Burke, Behaviour Policy Officer at Dogs Trust explains, "planning ahead is so important when taking your dog with you on long car journeys or on a UK holiday. For example, a lot of people forget to check if service stations along your route allow dogs, which is even more important during the hot weather, as there is no safe amount of time to leave a dog in a hot car, so don't get caught out. Make sure that any campsites, beaches or pubs you are hoping to visit are dog friendly too, as many beaches don't allow dogs in the busier summer months. It's a massive shame if you are planning a family day out on the beach, to turn up and find out that your dog is not allowed."
Another key tip from Dom that can't be missed is making sure your dog's microchipping details are up to date. Dom says, "Only around 38% of microchipped dogs have the correct owner details on their microchip2, if you're away from home and your dog goes missing, it's not much help if your address is up to date but your phone number isn't."
Dom continues, "you also need to consider the individual dogs likes and dislikes. Just like us, dogs will have preferences, for example, do they struggle to be around other dogs? Do they love to dig on the beach? Maybe an active holiday might be too much for some dogs, and they'd prefer staying at home with family."
Dom's top tips for a summer howl-iday with your pooch are:
If travelling by car, make sure your dog is relaxed travelling in the car on short journeys before you set off on a long one. Don't forget their seatbelt and harness or travel crate / boot guard - make sure they are familiar and comfortable with this before using one.
Make sure you pack all the essential equipment, including lead, harness, collar and tag, food and water bowls, dog toys, poo bags and any medication they may be on. Take comforts from home, such as a blanket they can snuggle up to.
Most dogs love routine, so keep as close to your dog's routine as possible by feeding them and exercising them at the same time you would at home. Take their food and make sure their diet remains the same as it would back at home. There's lots to do and explore while visiting new places, but dogs need time to rest too, so make sure this is planned into your schedule.
Plan your itinerary in advance as not all venues are dog friendly. Research restrictions on dogs on beaches in the area you are visiting and ensure there are lots of suitable places for exercising your dog.
Before heading off on your holiday, check that your pup's microchip details are up to date. If the details are wrong it'll be more difficult to be reunited, especially if away from home.
Different parts of the country have different disease risk so it's best to make sure your dog is up to date with vaccinations, flea, tick and worming treatment before travelling, and make sure to research where the local emergency vet is in case your dog needs to be seen while you're away.
The Bank Holiday weekend should hopefully be a sunny one so it's important to remember to keep your dog sun safe. Even gentle exercise in warm weather could cause heatstroke, which in some cases can be fatal. Avoid taking your dog out in the hottest part of the day, make sure they have access to fresh water, and if your dog shows any signs of heatstroke, including heavy panting, difficulty breathing, drooling, lethargy, or seeming wobbly or uncoordinated, contact a vet immediately.
For more information visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/holiday
