When you think about vacationing with your dog, you may already have a destination, such as a visit with your favorite aunt or a trip to a national forest. If you’re still considering your options, a quick Google search will reveal thousands of dog-friendly vacationing opportunities: camping, cabins, resorts, hotels and motels, beaches, dog camps, and even canoeing and boating trips. But which will you and your dog really enjoy?
Here are a few “do’s and don’ts” from Whole Dog Journal:
Do plan to have your dog with you all of the time. Your dog will need to be with you or one of your traveling companions at all times.
Don’t leave your dog alone in a hotel room or campsite (most places don’t allow it, and even if they do, many dogs will be completely freaked out at being left in a strange, new place).
Don’t leave your dog alone in the car while you play tourist. Even in the shade, even with the windows down, leaving dogs in cars can be very dangerous.
If you are staying in one place (say a rental cabin or a family member’s home) for more than a few days, Do condition your dog to staying in this new place for short periods of time.
Some tourist destinations also have day kennels where you may be able to leave your dog while you visit the sights, but Do check out any kennel carefully to make sure it is a safe and appropriate place for your dog.
Find great dog-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating, or get take-out and have a picnic at a nearby park or riverbank. An outdoor art exhibit or private gallery may allow your dog even if the county museum does not.
Pet friendly has a directory of all the pet friendly places in South Africa
For more information on how to prepare your pet for a holiday visit the whole dog journal here.