In this article, I’m going to talk about preparing to go away, or perhaps having people visit for the holidays. It might be you’re going away and need to make arrangements for your pooch.
Here are tonnes of great tips for most situations!
Firstly, consider you and your dog before you go away.
You might have a dog that loves getting out in the outdoors, is friendly, not a big barker. Alternatively, your dog may experience severe stress in a new situation, isn’t friendly or is particularly aged that anything less than the usual comforts of home just won’t work well for them. Think also about what type of a holiday you’re looking at. Will even taking your dog be an option? I camp a lot, but in the last year or so, my old boy Caesar struggles to get up in to the van and he feels the heat in summer and the cold in winter affects his aches and pains. I no longer take him on these trips as I know it’s not best for him and causes more stress than joy; even though I’d love him to share the trips with me.
Pet Sitters.
These days pet sitters are becoming more frequent. You don’t have to put your dog into a kennel, but often can house them at home in the comfort and familiarity of their homes. Some pet sitters will actually house sit for you, others come in once or twice a day to walk your dog, feed them and generally check on them. Again, it depends on your dog; some dogs are fine being alone for longer periods of time and others fret. If you are going away in peak periods, make sure to have arrangements in place well ahead of time; good sitters go very fast. Remember when you are having pet sitters, give them an info sheet on your pet. Everything from who your local vet is, to what their idiosyncrasies are, command words etc. The more info you give a carer, the better it’s likely to go. Whilst you could do this all verbally, I think it’s great to have a written out list – as often a huge string of information given verbally may not be fully retained.
Purchase Appropriate Supplies.
If you’re having people over, consider buying them a toy or some treats. This will give them positive association to all the extra hustle and bustle of the holiday season. A bored dog can get into mischief; so plan well in advance to keep them occurred and engaged.
Routines.
Whether going away, or having people over, stick to your routines. If you’ve a tonne of people coming around, go for a walk or throw ball; exercise is great for working off excess energy, plus it’s less likely you’ll have the time later, once people turn up.
Dog Only Room.
If you’ve tonnes of people around, especially lots of little children, consider having a dog only room where they can rest and lie in peace. Unfortunately, not all children are properly raised on how to treat dogs. Whilst a puppy might put up with a fair bit, an older dog may get sick of their ears or tail being pulled and growl or nip. Nor should any dog be treated like a horse. For any dog this can hurt them; they are not horses, despite their size and some children don’t understand that. Giving your dog some peaceful time out will do them a favour. I recommend you clearly communicate to parents and children alike that XX room is out of bounds. Also, be conscious that if your front door opens to the road, that people who are not normally in your household may just walk through and leave the door open.
Pet Safe Food.
Especially if you have lots of guests, and especially if things are on the menu which are not great for your dog; then educate your guests. Even have some suitable treats handy that kids can give to your dog, rather than chocolate or ham or even sausages. I recall one Australia Day with a tonne of friends over. Someone asked if they could give Caesar a sausage. I said just a small piece. However, later Caesar threw up and I then realized that every single person must have given him a ‘small piece’ due to the volume of small pieces he threw up. Lesson learnt.
Grooming Appointments.
A well-groomed pet can make a good impression and will help with anyone who might be prone to dog hair allergies. Remember though, if it’s the holiday season, book your groomer well in advance. If you’re going away, be sure to plan your appointments also so as to not have to miss any appointments.
Training Skills.
Refresh your training skills. Holidays change routines at times, but if you keep consistent with your training and stay current and refreshed, then everyone is sure to have a better time. Holidays is no time to put training and good habits out the window.
Be Aware of Your Environment.
I’ve been camping at locations where there is fox bait laid down, so you need to be hyper vigilant your dog doesn’t accidentally eat this bait. There are toxious seeds and pods that some dogs like to eat. Perhaps there is broken glass. Check your environment and keep your dog on a lead – for their best safety.
Travelling.
If travelling, ensure you know all the requirements. Does your travel crate meet airline guidelines? Does the camping ground you’re going to visit require a copy of their vaccination certificate? Be prepared. When travelling, ensure they are safe and comfortable and you stop frequently enough for water and toilet breaks. Some dogs don’t travel very well and perhaps shouldn’t have too much to eat before travelling.
Pack for All Eventualities.
Yes, I am the Queen of lists, so I have a list of things to pack before going away. It covers the leads, poop bags, food, treats, blankets, toys, beds, bowls, but also extra things like dog Panadol and having a copy of the vax certificate. If you’re camping and your dog is black, get a collar that lights up, or attach a light to the collar so your pooch doesn’t get accidentally stepped on. If it’s cooler, make sure to pack your dog coat too. It’s wise also to find out the contact number for the local vet where you’re travelling to and have this info handy – just in case. Hopefully you’ll never need that number, but in an emergency, you may not want to lose valuable time Googling to find a local vet or animal hospital.
Holidays can be a wonderful time for all the family, including your dog, big or small, which is more likely to happen with a bit of thought, planning and preparation in place. Don’t forget your four-legged friend is a member of your family and their wellbeing should be planned as well. Happy Holidays!