Dog Safety Away from Home

If you are anything like us, you love taking your dogs out and about and away from home with you. A holiday isn’t a real holiday without them is it? But being away from home with your dog requires consideration and planning. Here is how to ensure that dog safety is covered, leaving you to have a wonderful time making memories.

Where to go and where to stay:

Doing some research into dog friendly locations and accommodation is the first step towards a stress free experience. You are looking for truly dog friendly places to go, as opposed to dog tolerant. First think about your destination. Do some research to find places with plenty of outdoor spaces, and access to activities that you all enjoy. Perhaps you like dog friendly places to eat and drink, outdoor adventures, or historical landmarks?

When considering dog friendly places to stay, think about the most relaxing option for you all. Your dog will have specific traits so do think of these. Those needing space, or reactive dogs will feel stressed with the confines of sharing space with other dogs so consider a self catering home with dedicated outdoor space. Some dog friendly hotels do have rooms with their own courtyard garden to allow this too.

If you are planning to go out without your dog during your break, take some time to find a great pet sitter. Your dog will be more stressed away from home and may display some behaviours you would not expect. The rental owner or hotel staff may be able to recommend somebody to pet-sit for you, alternatively find a well-recommended kennel where you can leave your dog safely while you are out. This will ensure that your dog is safe while you go and have a nice time!

What to take:

Plan what you need to take with you to make your holiday stress free. If you dog needs medication, order this well ahead of time. Pack anything you need to make your dog comfortable and calm- this may include their blanket, bed, feeding bowl, or perhaps a favourite toy. Taking a pet first aid kit to deal with minor scrapes can be very useful, particularly if you are going to a more remote destination. Ideas of what to take in your dog first aid kit here. Be sure to include a tick remover!

Pack a spare lead and collar/ harness and keep this in the car. We had an occasion when our whippet pinged his collar off during beach zoomies so always have a spare now.

Take plenty of your dogs usual food with you. Changing your dogs diet suddenly can lead to an upset stomach, or with more sensitive dogs a very poorly dog, so having plenty of their everyday foods can avoid this. If you are unable to take food with you, find a stockist local to your destination so that you can pick plenty up when you arrive. This is an area of preparation that is really worth the time and effort.

Dog safety out and about:

Make sure that you follow local rules and regulations away from home. Be respectful of livestock and wildlife, and keep your dog on lead in public places.

When your dog is away from home, investing in a good quality tracker is worth its weight in gold. Find a product with GPS and a live function so that you can always know exactly where your dog is- particularly if they like to be off-lead. PAJ GPS Pet Finder is great option. It has a long lasting battery and is waterproof. Importantly, the device itself is nice and small (5.2 x4.2cm) and weighs only 32g which is great for small and medium sized dogs. You can create safety zones, which alert you if you dog wanders beyond too which gives you peace of mind. Route history and alerts also adds to the functions. I wouldn’t be away without a tracker nowadays.

Finding a local vet is reassuring for you. Hopefully you wont need this but having a number at hand is sensible and another way of ensuring that you can switch off and relax, knowing that your ducks are in a row!

Be mindful of the weather:

Portable water bowls are a good investment. They are lightweight and many flatten down to fit in a pocket even. Keep your dog hydrated, particularly if you are walking or travelling during warmer months. On that note, with UK summers getting hotter, plan your walks so that your dog is not exposed to unsafe hot conditions. Dogs are at risk of heatstroke so do take time to read about this. This may require you adapting to walking very early or later in the day to avoid the sun but is crucial to your dogs health.

On the other hand, you may experience cold conditions in which case pack smaller, less hairy, or older dogs a warm or waterproof coat to offer them some protection from the elements.

Above all else- have a wonderful time! With the dog safety basics considered, you can switch off and enjoy the precious break with all of the family involved.