Holiday – And What About the Dog?

Here are a few thoughts on the subject of holidays with a dog and for the case where it is not allowed to travel along for once. Long-haul flights of up to 24 hours can hardly be expected of any dog. But smaller trips you can undertake with a clear conscience as an owner. Should the four-legged friend have to stay at home for once, there are also some good options for looking after it. In brief, I have put together a few tips for you.

Who looks after the dog while you are on holiday

Besides family or acquaintances, a professional pet sitter can look after and care for the dog and other animals too. You can also make use of an animal boarding house. There you should check how the animals are kept and book early, since a good boarding house is quickly fully booked. Vets or the German Animal Welfare Association also advise on this. This applies not only to the choice but also to the content of the care contract. There is also the scheme “you take my animal, so I take yours”. Here, owners are put in touch by the local animal welfare association with a partner nearby with whom they can arrange mutual holiday care.

Preparing for the trip with your four-legged friend

By car you should plan the shortest possible journeys, take enough breaks with exercise, and in hot weather travel in the evening or at night. Plenty of drinking water, food, a transport safeguard with a dividing grille and a dog seat belt or a transport crate should surely be a matter of course. What one should know is that dogs too can become car-sick. Through draughts at an open window they can also catch conjunctivitis.

• Early planning of the care arrangements or the travel route
• Securing the dog in the vehicle with a grille or belts
• Consideration of climatic conditions and break times
• Observing entry regulations and vaccination requirements

Transport conditions for animals on public transport

With trains and buses there are, depending on the provider, different transport conditions for animals. Beforehand you should find out exactly how the animals are allowed to be taken along. Then you should consider whether the conditions are reasonable to expect of the dog. In some countries there is a muzzle requirement for dogs. But this should on no account turn into stress for the four-legged friend. Experts advise getting the dog used to it as early as possible and choosing a model with which it can still drink and pant.

Dogs are allowed on the plane too

Some dogs are also allowed onto the plane with certain airlines. If the animal, including the transport crate, weighs up to 8 kilograms, it may often come into the cabin. This applies especially to therapy dogs and guide dogs. All other animals, such as heavier dogs, likewise have to go into the cargo hold in a crate. There it is even cooler than in the passenger area and considerably louder. If the dog is very anxious, you have to think carefully about whether you want to put the animal through that. In general, as an owner you should organise and book the transport and the tickets for your dog early.

Watch out for entry requirements and vaccination protection

For trips abroad you should enquire at the respective embassies about the entry requirements. In doing so it should be borne in mind that without the prescribed vaccination protection, quarantine looms. On this, the Animal Welfare Association advises that you have your vet issue, besides a microchip, the European pet passport as well. A special travel first-aid kit for on the road is also recommended.

Special points that one should observe

Anyone travelling to Denmark must familiarise themselves with the dog law there. An animal of a banned breed can be taken away from its owner in the case of an illegal entry. You should avoid trips to hot regions, especially with breeds that are not used to heat, such as huskies. According to experts, Germany and Austria are very dog-friendly countries. There are now more and more designated hiking trails for dogs and even special trails for cross-country skiing.

This article serves as general information and for the relaxed preparation of your next trip with or without your dog.