Dog Friendly Travel Tips and Information
Every had a complaint filed against you in your apartment because your dog was loud when you were gone? ForRent.com created the handy infographic below with 4 dog friendly apartment hacks to help you stay in good graces.
There are a number of dog-friendly cities that offer basic and unique amenities that you and your pup can enjoy. Gear up for apartment living with the right pet accessories, training methods and other essential pet care resources. Here are some tips that will help you create harmony between your dog and your apartment.
Find a city that will accommodate you and your pup with its pet-friendly services and apartment options. San Diego has excellent weather for dog-walking and outdoor recreation, as well as many off-leash puppy parks and beaches. There are a total of 16 off-leash zones where your pup can freely play.
Austin, Texas, boasts 18 off-leash dog parks, for your dog to socialize. The city also has Doga, which is a yoga studio that integrates your pets into your yoga practice. Austin has many apartment buildings that offer dog-friendly units, which require a pet deposit fee. Once you’ve moved to the city, you and your leashed pup can go on one of Austin’s guided walking tours and discover all the wonderful things the city has to offer.
Seattle, Washington, is another exceptionally pup-friendly city. The town has many restaurant patios, bars and shopping centers, where you and your pet can relax and hang out. Montana Bar is a quintessential grunge-style, Seattle bar which allows dogs inside of their establishment. The University Village Shopping Center is an outdoor mall, where many stores will allow well-behaved dogs indoors.
Make sure your dog won’t become too riled up or lonely in your tiny apartment, when you’re away at work. Invest in a reliable dog walker, who will take your dog out for some much-needed exercise. Affordable dog walkers can be found aton Doggeek in our dog sitter section. The site will provide reviews and references for available walkers so you can find the perfect fit for you and your pup.
Make sure you and your dog are set up for cohabitation success, with thorough dog training. A puppy or a new dog will need lots of initial attention and extensive training. Utilize books and online video tutorials for at home training, many of which are just as valuable as in-person classes. Train your dog within your home, so you can react to undesirable behavior that’s relative to home preservation and overall obedience. Professional dog trainers recommend the following books: “The Culture Clash,” “Before & After Getting Your Puppy” and “The Power of Positive Dog Training.”
For the first few months, you should keep your dog in a secure kennel while you’re away from home. This will ensure the security of your belongings and ensure your dog doesn’t do any irreparable damage to your apartment. Make sure the kennel is adequately sized so your dog can roam around and not feel abandoned in a claustrophobic place. Place a doggy bed in the kennel for extra comfort. If your dog is a breed that is known to burrow, provide them with extra blankets so they feel safe and secure. Once your dog has learned the rules of the house and can be trusted, you can let them roam outside of the kennel. Make sure you have a basket of dog toys, so they will have chew-toys that will preoccupy their time and keep them out of mischief.
Ever wondered if how others travel with their dogs and if they travel like you do? Well… you’re in luck! Here’s a complete guide to pet friendly travel from our friends at Greyhounds as Pets.
As a pet parent, it can be very stressful when your beloved dog is under the weather. Whether you took your precious pup swimming at the local lake over the weekend and she had so much fun frolicking on the rocks that her pads are sore, or your dog got into the cat food and is experiencing some tummy trouble, it’s hard to see your normally energetic dogs feeling yucky.
Even though your fur baby is not seriously ill and you know he’ll bounce back in a day or two, you’d still like to stay home from work to provide non-stop TLC. Unfortunately, you have to leave your dog home alone for awhile. Here’s how to make the best of it.
It can be hard to concentrate on work projects when you are worried about Fluffy. To help put your mind at ease, invest in a home security camera that will keep an electronic eye on your pet. Lorex Technology sells a variety of video surveillance systems that allow you to view what’s going on at home while you are gone. The wireless system features a free app you can use to see the live stream. This way you’ll know exactly what your pet is up to.
As Natural Dog Health Remedies says, dogs that are feeling sick may refuse food for a couple of days. While you will still want to call your vet and report this behavior, in most cases this is a normal response to illness and will resolve itself. You should still be sure that your dog has access to plenty of clean water. Before leaving for work, fill a few extra bowls and place them around the house and near your fur baby’s pet bed. This way, she won’t have to walk too far and she’ll have plenty of fluids if she’s been dehydrated.
If your dog got into something he shouldn’t have and is recovering from the runs or other tummy distress, it will probably be hard for him to hold it while you are away. Close as many doors in your home as possible to limit his access to carpets and beds, and place puppy pads and plenty of newspaper on the floors. This way, if he has an accident while you are gone, it won’t be too messy to clean up.
If you can’t make a quick trip home at lunch to check on your four-legged friend, consider hiring a home health services company that can come in and tend to your dog. Google “in-home pet care” and your city to find a local company that can help. For example, Pet Pros offers home health care services to pets who are recovering at home from an injury or illness. You can also ask a trusted friend or neighbor to come in once or twice during the day to check on your dog and give him some extra TLC.
When it comes time to take a trip out of town, many pet parents face the same dilemma: It’s not easy to find care arrangements you feel comfortable with, but traveling with a dog makes it difficult to enjoy your getaway. Take heart, dog lovers — a trip with your beloved pooch doesn’t need to be a stressful ordeal. Instead, make a doggy-inspired to-do list to make sure you and your best friend have the relaxing vacation you deserve.
Make a list of what types of activities you and your dog will enjoy both during transport and at the destination. For instance, a hiking vacation requires lots of water, a portable dog bowl and plenty of layers to keep your temperature regulated. Your dog may require more treats and high-protein snacks if your vacation is especially active and spent outdoors. For indoor relaxation at a cabin or urban hotel, bring along plenty of chew toys to keep your dog busy, so he isn’t bored and barking for the neighbors to hear.
You may have already packed your emergency contact list, backup medications and details of your travel insurance policy. But your dog needs his own emergency preparedness strategy. Write down his microchip information in case he gets lost, the names of his medications in case you lose them, and the number of your vet as well as one in your vacation area. Use a cloud storage system like Mozy to automatically back up your computer so all your files and important documents are readily available on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Not all pet-friendly accommodations are created equal. Find out if your hotel, apartment or vacation rental has a mini-fridge to keep any medications and snacks cold. Ask about any additional pet or room cleaning fees and about nearby dog runs and parks. Some hotels may have a policy about not leaving dogs unattended in rooms. This may sound fine in theory, but you’ll need a plan if you’re going to enjoy the continental breakfast or grab a quick drink with a friend.
Your dog may love a car ride, but driving for an entire day or two could frustrate him or make him stir crazy. And being separated from you on an airplane, or being stowed underneath a seat in a dog carrier, could create a frenzy of anxiety. Ask your veterinarian if she recommends calming medications or something to make your dog sleep. Otherwise, dog expert Cesar Millan recommends relying on one-on-one attention, plenty of playtime and natural soothing agents to help keep your dog calm. Rubbing some diluted lavender on your dog’s paws could help them relax and calm down enough to enjoy the ride or take a nap during your flight.
Figure out your game plan once you get to your destination. Even if you have activities planned with friends and family, your dog needs his own fun too. Look for parks with wide open spaces, doggie day cares that take drop-ins, MeetUp groups for dogs, dog runs and pet-friendly events in the area.
Going on a road trip with your furry friend can be a blast, but while on the open road you can run into problems either with your car, or when visiting parks, beaches, and going on hikes. If you’re planning a road trip with your favorite pawed pal, here are some items things to consider to avoid any issues.
Though you’ll both be able to explore the great outdoors on your trip, you’ll also spend a fair share of your time in the car. If your dog becomes a nuisance while in transit, tries to jump onto your lap, whines, and can’t behave himself, a carrying case is a must-have item. Many dog owners use carrying crates for their dogs sleeping space, so transferring your best friend’s bed into the car can make your dog feel more at home while on the road.
While exploring the trails, let your dog do some of the work. Doggie backpacks allow them to carry water bowls, food, and toys for when you reach your destination. However, not all dog backpacks are made equal. Some detach from the main body of the pack so you can easily access anything your dog is carrying, while others don’t.
Once on the trail your dog will undoubtedly want to explore all the new smells. This usually isn’t a problem, but sometimes it’s safest to have keep your dog on a leash. If your dog isn’t the best mannered one, there will be times you can’t control him with mere words. A leash is all that will stop him from chasing deer, rabbit, or fox deep into the woods in cases like these.
While your dog can drink out of the streams without getting sick, you shouldn’t risk it. Make sure to bring a water purification system with you if you’re going to drink from the streams or lakes while camping.
While a leash and travel crate can keep your dog in check, they both defeat the purpose of your adventures. Training your dog is important so that it will listen to you and obey. To be prepared for the dangers of travel, you’re not the only one who needs to have their wits about them. Take your dog to a trainer, take classes, and make sure your dog will listen to you in case of emergencies.
