Arranging to go away with your dog can be a little worrying especially when they have reactive tendencies, struggle with new surroundings and a change of routine. However, you deserve to enjoy your holiday and this can be the case for both you and your dog if you plan in advance.
There are lots of little things you can do to calm a reactive dog and make your trip less overwhelming for them such as, packing your dog's bed that they usually sleep in at home and their favorite puppy toys. The trainers at Kane 9 Dog Training are big advocates for keeping things as 'normal' as possible when traveling with a reactive dog and have shared via an Instagram post how they manage to make holidaying with their dogs enjoyable and stress free.
Before they even leave for a trip with their dogs they map out where there are rest stops, parks and trails and what the dog regulations are in the areas that they plan to explore. They also encourage owners to accept that your dog doesn't need to be a part of everything, if they can safely stay back for you to go explore then go and enjoy it.
"Things won’t be perfect! Traveling away from their usual routine is going to have your dog thrown off a bit. Give yourself and your dog grace & be patient," they wrote in the caption of the post. Take a look at Kane 9 Dog Training's video and then catch up with their top tips below.
Sometimes you can't plan for and predict every little part of your holiday with a dog and that's ok. The Kane 9 Dog Trainers say that you should prepare to change course.
"If you are planning to go check out an awesome park, trail, etc. and you know it allows dogs — don’t sweat it if you can’t do it to the capacity you dreamed up! Explore a section that feels safe for you & your dog, even if that means you don’t get your iconic Instagram pic," they note.
Here are the Kane 9 Dog Trainers key tips for a stress free holiday with your dog:
- Explore the paths less taken. Embrace the less glamorous routes and enjoy spaces where you and your dog feel safe and comfortable.
- Soak it all in. Holidays aren't endless and sometimes only come once a year so remember to be present and soak up all the moments with your pup.
- Keep up with routine and boundaries. If your dog has a very structured routine at home they will feel confused and perhaps agitated when this changes. You might not want to be waking up at the crack of dawn to let your dog out for a pee on holiday but it could make the rest of the day much more relaxed as your dog feels a greater sense of normalcy.
- Don't sweat the small stuff. Things can go wrong on a holiday with or without a dog so don't get too hung up on any mishaps and make the most of exploring a new place with your dog.
Don't forget that it is a trip for your both to enjoy!
