In my previous blog, I pondered the issue of how to best educate pet owners on safe and responsible travel. Naturally, making information available is very sensible and a major oversight when I wrote “Lady, Your Dog Is Miserable.” When I became immersed in the social media of Face Book and Twitter, Amy and Rod Burkett, of Go Pet Friendly became friends. This lovely couple is devoted to making pet travel easy; they blog about all that encompasses pet travel. I am positive you will be delighted after visiting them at www.gopetfriendly.com
Based on reader comments, it is so true, that not all dogs are suited for travel. Another reader commented that we may be thinking selfishly about having our dogs along, to suit our own needs. I adore Talley and Doobie, but they are travel disasters waiting to happen. Talley, my English Lab, loves structure and an unchanging environment. She has her own set of rules for what belongs in Talley World. (lots of stories there.) There will never be another long distance trip for this lab that becomes increasingly anxious and reactive in new and changing environments. Doobie, rescued from a puppy mill in 2009, becomes increasingly fearful around multiple strangers, and essentially shuts down when overloaded with novel stimuli. Truly, it would not be fair to either lab, to subject them to travel. Bridget, on the other hand, with her outgoing unflappable personality, is a go anywhere kind of dog.
Based on personal experiences and as a dog trainer, the following types of dogs might be better off at home in a known environment, dogs with:
- Generalized anxiety
- Separation anxiety
- Fear related aggression
- Any type of aggression, for that matter.
- Serious health issues
- Very old dogs
- Recently adopted dogs from a rescue background
- Dogs without adequate training and socialization
- Serious carsickness (how not fun for them)
I am certain that readers will be able to provide other examples. Enjoy your travels with your canine pals and do drop a line about some of your fun shared trips. Until next time,
Leslie and the labbies
- leslie fisher's blog
- login or register to post comments
- 1018 reads
- back to the dog blog
- more by leslie fisher
great dog sitters can be a salvation!
I've been lucky to have dogs that travel well. And as they got older, we were able to adjust our activities to things they could tolerate better.
That said, on the few times I've left my dogs home, I've been very happy to find excellent dog sitters. I'm not personally fond of boarding a dog (though for some sociable pups, this could be a great vacation). But we've had very positive experiences with dog sitters who came to our home.
A dog sitter can allow your anxious dog to stay in his home and familiar surroundings. You may have to pay more for frequent visits during the day or for a sitter to stay over at your house. But I think it's well worth it.
Most of our dog sitters have been students at the local vet school so they're also capable of administering medicine or caring for pets with health issues.
When I've come home after traveling without my dogs, I've always found them comfortable and relaxed. What more could you want?
Pamela http://somethingwagging.wordpress.com
thanks for comments Pam/dog sitter vacation
thanks for commenting Pam. yes I had looked into a dog sitter (probably too close to vacation date) but rather remain with them in the home, she wanted to take them on her travels, and walk them with her other clients dogs. Picture my fearful puppy mill Doobie, reactvie Talley and Bridget who does not love other dogs, all being hauled around thus. No, this time it was off to the kennel, where they spend half their life anyhow, accompanying me on various dog training missions. and I did arrive home to find them happy and relaxed. Yup, what more could you want? And we did have a wonderful time.
Leslie Fisher PMCT CPDT-KA Look What I Can Do! Dog Training Where There Are No BAD Dogs, Just Dogs That Don`t Know WHAT To Do.