Anita Funkhouser is the owner of GoGreenDogBeds.com, offering high-quality, eco-friendly dog beds, toys and sweaters made in the USA from recycled soda bottles. This article may be reprinted if the author's bio is left intact.
Once you have decided to take your dog on vacation with you, you are probably concerned primarily about safe transport, which is obviously important. Equally important, however, is where you will stay when you arrive. Choosing accommodations for your vacation for your family, including your dog, can be difficult because many places do not accept guests with dogs. However, there are options available that will solve this problem.
There is now a larger selection of accommodations that give you a place to rest your head when you take your dog on vacation with you. In fact, there are many hotel chains that readily advertise the fact that they are dog friendly. They provide plenty of facilities for dogs to ensure that travelers stay there in relative comfort for the duration of their vacation. This can be a relaxing and energizing experience indeed.
Another option you have when taking your dog on vacation is the option to take your own RV or caravan so that your dog is familiar with his or her surroundings and has a warm and dry place to sleep. There are more and more parks that allow canine guests and provide apt facilities for them. Choosing to take your dog on vacation is a great option but you may want to avoid camping where possible because, unless your dog is used to camping out with you, it can be a harrowing experience because he or she is likely to wake you up every time there is a slight noise outside!
Finally, if you do enjoy living in the lap of luxury, taking your dog on vacation to a dog-friendly rented apartment, condo or beach house would be a great idea. This is often an easier experience because it is like a home away from home. There are also more of these around than hotels so renting is most definitely an option!
Whichever option you choose, make sure to contact the hotel, RV park or rental property to ask if dogs are permitted, if there is a size limit and/or extra charge and to understand their policies before booking your reservation.
The following list of publications (list provided by Humane Society of the United States), available at most bookstores, provides listings of pet-friendly accommodations:
- Arden, Andrea and Emmanuelle Morgan. Fodor's Road Guide USA: Where to Stay With Your Pet.
- Automobile Association of America. Traveling With Your Pet—The AAA PetBook.
- Barish, Eileen. Vacationing With Your Pet.
- Fish, Kathleen and Robert. Pets Welcome.
- Grayson, Fred N. and Chris Kingsley. The Portable petswelcome.com: The Complete Guide to Traveling with Your Pet.
- Habgood, Dawn and Robert. Pets on the Go: The Definitive Pet Accommodation and Vacation Guide.
- Kain, Tara. DogFriendly.com's United States and Canada Dog Travel Guide.
- Kain, Tara. DogFriendly.com's California and Nevada Dog Travel Guide.
- Nelson, M. E. The Pet Travel and Fun Authority of Best-of-State Places to Play, Stay & Have Fun Along the Way.
Try these websites for additional pet-friendly travel resources (list provided by Humane Society of the United States):
- DogFriendly.com
- PetsWelcome.com
- PetsOnTheGo.com
- TravelPets.com
- TripsWithPets.com
As you and your dog take a vacation together, make sure to do your part to ensure that pets will continue to be welcomed as traveling companions. Keep your dog under control at all times, obey local animal control ordinances and be thoughtful and courteous to other travelers.
For more information on taking your dog on vacation, see Taking Your Dog On Vacation.
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