Should your pet travel with you?

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Should your pet travel with you? Or is that a bad idea – for one of you? To decide, ask yourself a few simple questions.

Dog in the back seat of the car - when should your pet travel with you

Decide if your pet should travel with you

As a responsible pet owner, there are a few things you need to consider when deciding whether your pet should come with you. Answering these questions will help you decide if the situation will be pleasant and safe for you and your pet.

1. Are pets allowed?

First, ask if the place you want to visit allows pets. You can get frustrated when you don’t see a logical reason for a site to ban pets.

You might even be tempted to enter boldly with your polite dog pretending not to have seen a sign. Or slip your cat or small pup into a building in a bag.

But it is important to follow the rules.

Not only could you get a ticket for taking your pet where it doesn’t belong, but you’re setting a bad example. You definitely don’t want to do anything that would force owners to ban pets in more places.

Honey the golden retriever wonders if she should try her hand at improv.
Comedy clubs are definitely not pet friendly. And let’s face it, your pup probably wouldn’t appreciate it even if it was.

Sometimes there are good reasons why dogs aren’t allowed, even if they aren’t immediately obvious. For example, Cape May Point Lighthouse State Park officials only began banning dogs after discovering they were harassing nesting birds. Cape May is located on a major flyway where birds feast on horseshoe crabs and hatch their young. Although it is disappointing not to be able to visit this beautiful beach with our pets, it is worth finding another place to play in order to protect the birds.

And pet policies can change, so call or check a site’s website to make sure pets are still allowed before you go. After all, people had been visiting Cape May Point Beach for years with dogs before the ban was enacted.

2. Is it safe?

Big outdoor events like festivals and concerts can be fun. They are not always safe for dogs (especially small dogs) and cats. A medium sized doggo is exactly the right height to take someone down to their knees. In a large crowd where the average person won’t notice it, it may not be safe for your dog.

I’ve seen people walking tiny dogs on leashes in overwhelming crowds and that was all I could do to stop myself from picking them up before someone stepped on them!

I’ve also seen pets waiting alone in cars for their loved ones on days when the temperatures could be dangerous. If it’s too hot or too cold outside and you need to leave your pet while you run an errand, it’s probably best to leave them at home.

LEARN MORE ⇒ Is it illegal to leave your pet alone in the car?

3. Will my pet benefit?

Some dogs feel relaxed and comfortable with other dogs and in crowds. They are an ideal companion to accompany you in most places. But not all pets handle new environments or crowds without anxiety.

Traveling with a pet means knowing your pet and respecting its limits, even when you wish things were different. If it’s causing your dog discomfort, fear, anxiety, or boredom, he may be happier at home.

Honey the golden retriever looks at the storefront mural in Georgetown, SC |  GoPetFriendly.com
You’ll find dog water bowls in front of many stores in beautiful Georgetown, South Carolina. But would your dog like to visit this coast on a busy weekend?

4. Can my pet behave properly?

Once you’ve taught your dog to “go to bed” at the right time, eating at pet-friendly restaurants becomes much easier. Although it is not necessary for puppies to lie down all the time we eat, it is the best and safest behavior when a server approaches the table with smelly food. And when you get up to leave, nothing will make you happier than hearing other diners whisper, “Oh, there’s a dog.” I didn’t even know he was there!

LEARN MORE ⇒ 5 Commands Every Traveling Dog Should Know

Honey the golden retriever at Yellow Dog Eats in New Smyrna Beach.
Eating early means you’ll have more room for your pup near the table. You might even have time to take a few quick photos.

If your dog is unusually excited by food smells, perhaps he should wait for you at home. Or consider having a picnic, where you’ll be the only one concerned if he decides to steal something from the table.

5. Will bringing my pet disturb others?

Although it’s hard to believe, not everyone loves pets. Some people have allergies. Others are afraid of dogs. So try to keep the comfort of others in mind when deciding whether or not to bring your pet.

This means dining at pet-friendly restaurants outside of business hours, which makes it easier for servers to accommodate us and give space to other diners. Always keep your dog on a leash around others, even when allowed off-leash. Sometimes you may just need to ask if including your pet in travel plans is acceptable.

This is even important when you are only visiting family or close friends. In truth, it may be even more important if you want your relationships to stay happy.

LEARN MORE ⇒ Take your dog to pet-friendly restaurants

6. Can you change plans if things don’t go well?

Years ago I took my dog ​​Honey on her first kayaking trip with a group of friends. We formulated a backup plan before we left, just in case she hated it. Packing a lawn chair, something to read and a few of Honey’s favorite toys kept us entertained on the beach when needed.

When you decide your pet needs to travel with you, it always helps to have a plan B. Then, if things don’t go as planned, you can salvage what’s left of your outing.

Honey the golden retriever and Pam are waiting on the beach at Fort Matanzas.
We are always ready when plans change. While waiting for your companion to return from a non-pet-friendly attraction or for food, make sure you have a book for the human and chewing gum for your dog.

7. Will I be able to concentrate on my animal?

Our first responsibility is to our pets. If they are uncomfortable or tired, it is our responsibility to take care of them. After all, they didn’t ask us to take them on the ghost walk or to that maritime museum.

At the beach, that means moving the umbrella around to provide shade for your pet. Make sure she has plenty of water. And take a bath in the water to refresh it. But if your chosen activity makes you too busy to do it, it’s probably best to have your pet stay home. Or with a pet sitter in your hotel room.

If you are traveling like a nomad in a motorhome or a boat, there is one more question you should ask yourself before deciding to take your pet with you…

8. Will my pet be safe if I leave it behind?

When I lived full time on a boat with my dog ​​Honey, I also had to wonder if it was safe to leave her on the boat without us. If you’re traveling full time in an RV or on an extended trip, you’ll have to ask yourself the same thing.

Honey the golden retriever stays home on the boat.
When your home is an airy cockpit on a boat in a nice anchorage, staying there isn’t so bad. Especially if you have a friend.

Can you leave your pet in an air conditioned motorhome? What happens in the event of a power outage? During the summer heat, you’ll want to make sure you have a way to track your dog’s comfort when you leave him. Otherwise, when temperatures soar, leaving your pet behind is not an option.

When we needed to shop or do laundry and couldn’t take Honey, we either finished our errands before it got hot or one of us stayed behind to make sure Honey was okay. If neither of those options worked, Honey used to come and one of us would wait in the shade while the other scrambled to get the things we needed.

LEARN MORE ⇒ Pet Temperature Monitor Overview – Protect Pets From Heat

Honey the golden retriever waits outside the grocery store in Charleston.
A hot day of shopping means Honey waits outside under a shade tree with one person while the other does her shopping.

What to do when taking your pet is not an option

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to accommodate your pet, you just can’t bring it with you.

In these situations, you may find that a pet sitter is the best option. Your pet can stay safe in its familiar environment. And there are animal sitters who will come to your boat, RV, or hotel room if you’re heading to an attraction that doesn’t allow animals.

Traveling with pets is a joy, and it will take you to places you would never have discovered on your own. So ask yourself the question: “Does my pet have to travel with me?” And then elaborate the answers to the questions above until the conclusion is a definite and happy YES! You will have a great time exploring all kinds of wonderful places together.

LEARN MORE ⇒ Pet boarding or pet sitter – what’s best for your pets

Honey the golden retriever poses with the cat on the College of Charleston campus.
Taking a walking tour of the beautiful College of Charleston campus was fun for everyone. Honey even made a new feline friend.

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