Road Trips with your Dog!

So you're off to visit Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas, but you don't want to leave your four-legged buddy at home. If your relatives are amenable to having your pet visit with you, make sure that he's welcome back next year, too. Here's how.

Preparation

To get ready to travel anywhere, you prepare for your trip, don't you? Now you just need to add a few extra preparations to make sure your dog is welcome wherever you go. Here are some handy tips to help you do just that.

1. Ask. Don't assume that pets are or are not welcome when you travel. Check with the hotel you plan to stay in. Ask specifically what their pet policies are and if you decide to stay there, abide by those rules.

1. Pet apps can help you find places that welcome Fido. Consider these: 
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1. Pack the essentials. 
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1. Pack his medical records and be sure he is microchipped and his vaccines are current.

Make him the perfect houseguest.

If you want to be welcomed back next year with Fido along, follow these suggestions to turn him into the ideal houseguest.

1. Let Fido say thank you with a gift. Bring a host/hostess gift from your dog. Any dog-themed item such as hand towels or coffee-table books will be welcome. If your host has dogs, bring them something, too. Maybe a bag of gourmet dog biscuits!

1. Find a neutral place to introduce Fido to your host's dog. Meet at a dog park or around the corner where they can walk together before "invading" the other dog's territory. Occasionally give Fido a break from resident dogs so that his alert-level can be let down.

1. Stick as close to his schedule at home as possible, especially when it comes to feeding and potty breaks. Take the time zone into consideration. A dog who never has accidents at home may not be as trustworthy in another place, particularly if there is another dog already living there. 

1. Even if the host has a fenced-in yard, go outside with him to make sure he "did his business" and then reward him for a job well-done. 

1. Don't assume you know the rules. Ask what their dog on the furniture preferences are and whether there are any off-limits spaces in the house, like the dining room or upstairs. Is there a specific place you should take him to potty or any places in the yard they'd prefer Fido didn't visit? Your best bet of being asked back next year is by following the rules.

What if he just won't behave?

If issues arise while you're visiting someone's home, be prepared to keep Fido tethered near you so he can't sneak off and get in trouble. Increase the number of times you take him outside and utilize his crate when you can't supervise him. Preparation, training, and socializing your dog before your road trip should make you and Fido welcome.