By: Kelly Marshall
Submitted: 2009-08-16 23:18:23 | Word Count: 580
Summer is the time for vacations, and that means that you are going to be traveling across the country. That being said, for many vacationers their dog counts as part of their vacationing party. Traveling with a pet has become more and more popular. Especially as smaller breeds of dogs gain popularity traveling with small dogs becomes more and more common. However, just because it is common does not necessarily make it easy.
When you are traveling with your little furry friend there are new things to think about and provisions to make. For someone who has never traveled with a dog before it can seem somewhat overwhelming. However, with a little bit of information you can certainly avoid any potential travel snafu s that you might run into ahead of time.
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In general, you will want to put some time into what can make your pets trip more comfortable, safe, and stress free. Your little dog is going to be excited at their new surrounding and experiences if not at least a little anxious. Much like you would plan for a child you need to plan out for your puppy s comfort and entertainment. You will want to think about what pet products are essential for your journey. Additionally, be sure that you are taking into account possible weather conditions when you are purchasing your pet carrier. Lastly, but certainly most important, do not forget about the dog treats. Treats are an excellent way to help calm down your best friend.
When traveling by car you need to spend some time thinking about the safety of all of the passengers in the car. To let you dog simply run about the car can actually become quite a distraction for you as a driver, and can actually put your small dog at a fairly large safety risk. Your dog might become vocal and hyper at some of the things that you are passing by which can cause you to loose focus on the road opening up everyone in the car to a potential accident. Instead, you will want to be sure that you dog is secure in their set whether it is in a harness or a secured dog carrier. However, you must let your dog stretch their legs occasionally. Just as you start to feel cramped after being in the car so does you pet. Be sure that you both have an opportunity to stretch your legs throughout your trip.
Plane travel is a bit more restrictive. For many airline carriers there are specific rules and regulations that dictate what type of animals can travel, and what type of certification you will need. Additionally, there are some quarantine rules that affect international travel, so you should check with your individual carrier to be sure that you have fulfilled all requirements for your four legged friend.
Once you have made it to your destination you will need to deal with lodging. Unless you are staying with family and friends you are probably planning on staying in a hotel. Remember, not all hotels are pet friendly so be sure to check on that prior to your arrival. Additionally, find out what kind of fees and/or restrictions your hotel may have regarding your dogs stay. No matter what, you need to keep in mind that not everyone will welcome your dog as eagerly as you do, so it is your job to make them feel loved and comfortable on the journey!
