Travelling Safely With Your Dog
Careful Preparation Leads to a Happy Vacation for You and Your Pet
Jul 6, 2009
These days pets are treated like family members. For many people, it wouldn't be a family vacation without the dog. Pets often travel with their owners in cars and planes, and even stay in hotels. To ensure that everyone, including the dog, has a safe and happy vacation, careful preparation is essential.
Car Travel
It is important for animals to be restrained while traveling in a car. Curious dogs can get in the way of drivers, causing accidents. Also, if the driver has to suddenly hit the breaks, the first one to go flying will be the unrestrained pet, resulting in sever injuries for the animal.
Putting dogs in a travel carriers during car rides is the most common way to restrain them. Though effective, some people find that carriers can be cumbersome, and take up too much space. As a result, manufacturers have come up with many other options.
A metal or fabric seat barrier can be installed in a car to section off the back seat. This gives the dog freedom to move, and keeps her away from the driver. Seat belts for dogs have become common as well. They are usually harnesses that can either be directly buckled into the seat, or harnesses to which a seat belt can be strapped.
For smaller dogs, there are booster seats. Booster seats not only keep the dog safe and secure, but elevate the animal so that they can see out of the window. When a small dog can see what is going on outside of the car, they are less apt to misbehave.
Air Travel
Most air lines accept dogs on flights, but have very specific guidelines. The number one rule in regards to air travel with pets is to find out what these guidelines are, as they vary from carrier to carrier. Calling the airline is an option, but printing the rules from their websites is better. Having a hard copy of the airline's policies helps avoid any confusion on the part of the traveler, or of the clerk working at check-in.
Many airlines allow small dos and cats to travel with their owners in the cabin. A soft sided carrier is needed to do this, and most airlines have very specific rules as to how big the carrier can be. Once again, find out the size of carrier needed ahead of time, and make sure the dimensions of the carrier you buy are the exact ones the airline requires.
Dogs can also travel in the cargo area. The airline carrier used has to be big enough for the dog to be able to stand up and turn around. The bolts that fasten the carrier together usually have to be made of metal, not plastic. Some airlines only allow you to use crates that they rent out, so once again, always check first.
Hotels
Many hotels allow dogs to stay in the rooms with their owners. An extra fee may have to be paid, and guests are responsible for any damage their dogs cause. Some hotels even allow the owners to leave the dog in the room while they go sight seeing, and may even offer dog sitting services. Each hotel has their own policy, so it is wise to find out what it is before booking a room.
Traveling with your dog by car or plane, and staying in hotels with them requires research and planning. Make sure that you have all the necessary equipment, and know the policies of airlines and hotels well in advance of your trip. This way, you will have a stress-free and fun filled vacation with your pet.
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