12 Inspiring Reasons Why You Should Vacation with Your Dog
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Here are the Best Reasons to Travel with Your Dog
If you are one of the many pet owners who view their pups as part of the family, you might wonder if it’s time to start bringing them with you when you go out of town. As a multi-dog owner, I can definitely say there are ups and downs to traveling with your pets but I believe the experience is totally worth it! This post will cover 12 of the best reasons why you should vacation with your dog.
If you are interested in joining a group of like-minded pet owners who enjoy traveling with their dogs, check out our Facebook Group for Traveling Pet Owners.
Top 12 Reasons Why You Should Vacation with Your Dog
If you are on the fence about whether there are any real benefits to traveling with your dog, get ready to be won over! There are so many reasons why you should vacation with your dog, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner. From providing great socialization opportunities to saving money, and increased safety, you won’t regret letting your pup join you on your adventures. Read on for some of the best reasons to travel with your dog.
Traveling With Your Dog is Easier Than You Think
It’s easy to find places that will allow you to bring your pup. As more and more dog owners consider their pets a part of the family, you’ll find no shortage of places that allow well-behaved pets. This makes it so incredibly easy to plan a dog-friendly vacation. With a little research, you can quickly find pet-friendly places to stay, museums, tours, and more to fill your vacation with fun activities.
You’ll Save Money and Worry Less When You Vacation with Your Dog
It can cost anywhere from $40 to over $100 a day (per dog) at a reputable boarding facility. This means it’s usually less money to bring your dog on vacation with you than to leave them behind. Whereas a pet sitter can often be cheaper (especially when you have multiple pets), the total cost still adds up quickly.
Unfortunately, some boarding and pet-sitting businesses are more interested in making money than in the safety and comfort of your animals. You don’t want to spend your vacation worrying that whoever is watching your pup is remembering to let them out, medicate, and feed them on time or that they are following the house rules to keep your dog safe. If you’re traveling with your dog, you don’t have to worry about whether or not they are ok because they are with you.
I see so many posts on social media about pets that have gone missing while being watched by friends, family, neighbors, pet sitters, and boarding facilities. I have also had some nightmare experiences with people and places that I’ve trusted to watch my dogs.
There will be times when you have to trust someone to look after your furry best friend so you can leave town. Just make sure that when you do, you pick someone who understands that your pup is an important family member and will treat them that way, and set your pet sitter up for success.
Traveling With Your Dog Provides Great Socialization Opportunities
One of the biggest reasons to travel with your dog is that it guarantees that your pup will encounter different people and situations helping them become a more well-rounded dog. As a responsible dog owner, it’s your job to socialize your pup. This means introducing your dog to new things, people, and experiences which naturally happens when you bring your dog to different places.
Properly socializing your pup will give them the confidence they need to be happy, well-adjusted dogs which can decrease problematic behaviors like nuisance barking, reactivity, and even stress-related aggression. It’s also necessary to keep everyone safe in emergencies like if a first responder needs to approach, or you have to seek shelter in a public place because of a natural disaster.
When you bring your dog out in public, remember to advocate for your dog and never force them into a situation they aren’t ready for. This is important so that everyone remains comfortable and safe.
Dog-friendly Vacations Mean New Experiences and New Friends
One of the many benefits of traveling with your dog is you’re guaranteed to meet new people and have new experiences. Take advantage of your encounters with other dog lovers to learn about different places in the area to visit, general tips, or just to let your dog get extra attention.
Your pup will also love experiencing all the new sights, smells, and sounds on your adventures. And with their heightened senses, they can help you notice things you’d have missed.
And since you’ll be focused on finding dog-friendly activities, chances are you’ll discover things you would have skipped if they weren’t there with you. This could be places like smaller, privately owned museums, dog-friendly restaurants, or tours.
Looking for a unique way to record your best travel memories with your best friend? Get Remington’s Pup Memory Passport!
Your Dog Makes The Best Travel Companion
Another reason to start traveling with your dog is that they make the best travel buddies. Even when traveling with other humans, nothing compares to the companionship and comfort I feel when at least one of my dogs is with me. I especially love having them with me when I am traveling alone.
When you have your dog with you, you’re forced to take proper breaks during long drives which means you both will have the opportunity to use the bathroom, stretch your legs, and take food and water breaks.
Numerous studies have shown that owning a dog has a ton of benefits like reducing stress and anxiety. This makes them great travel companions when things go wrong or if your trip will be stressful. Dogs never complain about sudden changes in plans and are perfectly content as long as they are with you.
My dogs have been my main source of comfort on trips to meet new relatives, out-of-state job interviews, and even funerals. They have also eased my anxiety when I have gotten lost, or have had car issues like a flat tire. Never underestimate the power of your pup’s love to help get you through anything in life.
Traveling With Your Dog is Safer
One benefit of traveling with your dog is that they can help keep you safe. The mere presence of a dog can be a deterrent to strangers approaching and harassing you. Since canines have better senses than us, they’ll also let you know if someone or something is approaching so you are not surprised.
Multiple times I have been too tired to keep driving and have had to pull over for a quick nap. My dogs are quick to let me know if someone is approaching the vehicle when I’m sleeping so I can rest without worrying about worst-case scenarios. They have also made sure no one gets too close to my car at red lights or anytime I may be stopped to recheck directions on my phone app.
Stranger danger is not the only thing your dog can protect you from! They can also help clue you into any wildlife close by. My dogs have helped me spot animals on and off the trail and in campgrounds. Most importantly, they have frightened off several wild animals that had lost their fear of humans.
I have even turned around on trails because one of my dogs suddenly raised their hackles (not typical) and growled. I’ve watched too many scary movies to be the person who goes to check things out when my dogs are that uneasy!
Traveling With Your Dog Improves Your Confidence
Do you hate the idea of going places by yourself? Guess what? You aren’t alone when you have a dog! We’ve already talked about how your four-legged travel companion lowers stress and anxiety and even how they help to keep you safe. All these things will help you feel more confident to venture out when you don’t have another person to join you.
Have a bit of social anxiety? Dogs are a fantastic icebreaker around new people. Even better, if you feel overwhelmed, they give you an automatic and easy way out of uncomfortable situations. Just mention that your dog needs to use the bathroom, get water, or needs a walk and you can instantly leave with no questions asked!
I used to hate going places by myself but when I travel with one of my dogs, I don’t feel so alone. Doing this has given me the confidence to go on solo excursions. Whereas I do still prefer at least having a dog with me, I am comfortable enough to travel without them if I have to without suffering from extreme anxiety.
Taking Your Dog on Vacation Creates Fantastic Training Opportunities
A majorly overlooked benefit of traveling with your dog is the training opportunities! Training your dog is more than just teaching them how to behave when you are at home. Your dog needs to learn to listen even when you are in a new place and with distractions.
Doing quick training sessions with basic commands when traveling with your dog helps them learn that commands like ‘sit’ or ‘come’ mean they need to sit no matter where they are or what is going on. This can be crucial if your dog ever slips away from you or they have found something you want them to avoid.
You’ll Learn New Things About Your Dog on Your Vacation
While you and your dog explore new things together on vacation, you’ll be surprised at what you can learn about your pup. During your travels, your dog will encounter all sorts of new smells, sights, activities, situations, and more. Take these unique opportunities to discover what your dog loves and hates, and what behaviors you might want to work on in the future.
While hiking with my dogs in Red River Gorge, I learned that 2 of my 4 dogs HATE metal stairs (the ones with drainage holes). In Congaree National Park, I learned that Charlie refuses to walk on wooden boardwalks with gaps between the planks. Depending on the dog and the situation, I now know it will be easier and safer to carry them across these things until they get desensitized to them.
You’ll Learn New Things About Yourself When You Vacation with Your Dog
Not only will you learn new things about your dog, but you’ll also learn new things about yourself! You’ll learn more about what you are and are not comfortable with, and possibly find new activities you enjoy.
For example, you might discover that you love slow and aimless hikes while your dog appreciates the new smells instead of pushing yourself to go a set distance. I’ve never enjoyed yoga or laying on the beach all day. However, I’ve discovered that when I add my dogs to these activities, I actually enjoy them!
Traveling With Your Dog Will Strengthen Your Bond
Traveling with your dog is guaranteed to strengthen your bond because visiting new places and enjoying new experiences will force you to learn how to trust each other. Your dog needs to trust that you will keep them safe, and you need to learn to trust your dog and yourself in new situations.
When you let your dog join you on your adventures, you’ll also learn how to communicate with each other. Being able to read your dog’s non-verbal cues is incredibly important so you can recognize when they need your help. This could be because they need to go to the bathroom, are overwhelmed, want to investigate something, need space, or need extra reassurance or attention.
My first dog, Remington, would get constant compliments on his behavior from strangers because he seemed to know exactly what to do in public without me saying anything. This was due to the fact that we learned to read each other’s non-verbal cues so well BECAUSE he was my constant and only companion for years when I traveled cross country. I learned how to tell how comfortable he is in new situations, and he learned that he could trust me to keep him safe.
You’ll Gain a New Perspective When You Travel with Your Dog
Any time you travel with somebody else (including your dog), you have the opportunity to see the world from a new perspective. Because our pups have heightened senses, they automatically notice more than we ever could. Things that we take for granted can be completely awe-inspiring experiences for them and if you allow yourself to, you’ll get to appreciate the world through their eyes.
When I take my dogs on vacation, I pay more attention to the plants and animals we find closer to the ground and listen more to the sounds around me when I find them staring off into the distance because I’m trying to discover what they find so intriguing.
Our husky loves watching babbling brooks and waterfalls. It’s given me a new appreciation for them and now I have a habit of spending extra time around them taking in the sounds and small details when we come across them during our hikes.
The Best Reason to Travel with Your Dog is Them!
From strengthening the incredible bond you have with your pup to helping them stay on track with their training and socialization, there is no shortage of important benefits of traveling with your dog. The best reason to vacation with your pup though, is them!
Think of all the wonderful memories you will make together as they go to the beach or hike on a mountain for the first (or one thousandth) time. The joy of discovering more about your four-legged friend is amazing as you explore the world together. I hope you are even more excited to start sharing adventures with your pup. Don’t worry, if you are worried about planning a dog-friendly vacation, I am here to help! May your life always be filled with wanderlust and wagging tails!
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