Vacay with the Dog

While some dog owners can’t wait to get a vacation from taking care of their pet for a few days, others can’t stand the thought of leaving their furry family member behind. If you are in the latter group, it can be tough to find places to go for a nice vacation with Rover in tow. And what do you do once you get to your destination?

The first step in taking your dog on vacay with you is to figure out exactly what type of vacation you want to take. Are you trying to head somewhere warmer during the cold months of winter? Do you have your eyes set on something relaxing? Or are you an outdoorsy type? Believe it or not, no matter what you have your heart set on doing, your dog can probably come along.

Websites like GoPetFriendly make it possible to map out your whole itinerary with your dog in mind. That means that, even if you want to have a nice, relaxing time with your spouse, your dog can probably tag along and have some fun of his own.

Since you are bringing your pet along, your options for lodging or transport could be reduced. That doesn’t mean it is impossible to bring Fido along, though. Some hotels allow pets, but the number of accommodations with a pet policy is increasing as more and more people want to bring their furry friends along for the fun. 

Airbnb and VRBO are some other great options when you are looking for lodging. The best part is that you can stay in a home that may have more space or even a yard for your pet. Camping is another obvious choice, but even campgrounds have rules and regulations. Make sure to do your research before hitting the road.

Taking a pet along for the ride means you will have the benefit of keeping your furry family member by your side, but also the difficult task of planning out your whole itinerary. If you plan to drive to a location that is farther away, you will need to find appropriate places to stop along the way for walks, bathroom breaks, and food or lodging. 

Once you get to your destination, you will need to make sure there are plenty of dog-friendly activities to be enjoyed. For instance, if you are traveling to New York City, you will find that there are some great green spaces in Central Park for Rover to test his agility skills. However, you may not be able to visit the museums or shops that you wanted to. A day out hiking or enjoying the beach with your dog are great options because, in general, these are pet-friendly places. 

Again, the best thing to do is to plan, plan, plan. Research what fun activities there are at your destination well before you get there. See what places allow dogs, which ones don’t, and what you need to know if you have a pet with you. Even restaurants, especially during the warmer weather months of the year, will likely allow a pet on the patio, so call around and do your research to see what your options are. That way, you won’t feel overwhelmed while you are trying to have a relaxing vacation.

Taking your pet on vacation can be a great way to have a bonding experience with them. It can also create a fun chance to get to know other pet owners as you travel. Just keep in mind that you will need to do your research in advance and plan so that you can enjoy your vacation too.