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[babyjane]

Who takes their beloved pet dog with them when they go on holiday?

Our lovely boy gets looked after by a dog minder who looks after dogs in her own home along with her own dogs and he has always loved it there.  He gets stressed very easily and doesn't settle or sleep in a strange place so we stopped taking him with us 4 years ago.

Now he is getting older he still loves going to the minder's but finds the constant activity with the other dogs a bit much.  He is ok and joins in but when he comes back home he is exhausted and not too well for a few days.  We are toying with the idea of taking him with us next year but we are going to the Isle of Wight and I am wondering about the wisdom of taking him on such a long journey, especially with the ferry trip as well.

Any ideas for anyone who might have taken their dogs with them to the IOW?

[Greyhoundgal]

If we go abroad we either use our local kennel or get a dog-sitter in but trips in this country include taking our two greyhounds with us.  Our girl is fine, very confident and loves everyone she meets but our male dog is extremely nervous and can get very skittish in crowds.  I assume you would be going by car?  How is he usually with car journeys?  We try and stop once an hour so they can get out, stretch their legs and have a drink.  We put plenty of duvets and cushions in the back so they can lie down.  I think the ferry crossing is quite short so not sure if you would leave him in the car or if he can get out and come on deck with you - you can usually find a quietish place to sit.  I would check with the ferry company - there might be something on their website or drop them an email.  We also try and take their own beds with us, their usual food, some treats and toys to try and keep it much like "home" as we can.  Luckily he loves being in our caravan or awning so most of our trips are in that.

[Scampi]

Our holidays are usually in our caravan, so our little JRT comes with us and loves it!  She knows when we are getting ready to go and gets excited, and she sulks on the day we return home!

If we go away other than to the caravan, she either stays at home with our daughter or goes in kennels.  Bob is quite laid back - as long as she gets food and cuddles, she's happy, so we have no problems leaving her. 

Maybe your little fella would settle better with his own bed and favourite toys in 'his' packing?  Might be worth trying DAP spray to help to calm him too - Bob was travel sick due to anxiety in the car when she was young and the vet suggested trying DAP - it worked really well.  It's not cheap, but is worth considering.

[honeybun]

We always take our little dog with us. Her bed and blanket comes in the back of the car along with her toys. We stop quite often and make sure the car doesn't get too hot.

When we get to our holiday destination I put her bed in our bedroom and just generally let her wander around and get used to things.
Basically if we are there she is happy.
I have also taken her on boat journeys too. Short ones that do not have an enclosed hold the dog can be left in the car. The bigger boats that have enclosed holds....the dog has to go on deck. I just tuck her under my arm as some of the stairs are very steep. We also sit outside with her.

I just couldn't ever leave her behind, she would be so unhappy.....and so would I. 


Honeybun
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[CLKD]

Our cocker travelled in the passenger seat behind me.   She had a harness which attached to the seat belt.  Once her bean bag went into the 4-door car she knew we were going somewhere  .  We used a book called Pets Welcome and dealt directly with the owners of the property not via an agency. Only 1 property wasn't pet friendly and we didn't stay!

The crossing to the Isle of Wight doesn't take long: even I managed it! : and dogs are allowed on deck weather permitting. However …….

[Dorothy]

I've always taken my dog with me as although she gets very stressed travelling, she would be even worse left with anyone.  As others have said, own bedding, toys etc plus DAP can really help.  Do check very carefully with the place you stay to find out what they allow - I have heard of people booking 'dog friendly' places and who arrived to be told the dog was only allowed in the kitchen or hall.  Once, I nearly booked a place which claimed to allow dogs, only to find out last minute that the dog's accommodation was in an outdoor kennel half a mile from the holiday bungalow!!!

[honeybun]

I generally have to pay a small amount to take the dog. There are rules and regs...ie no dogs on the furniture or bedrooms. I basically ignore that....shoot me now  . I take a throw for a chair and she lies on that, she sleeps in my room but in her own bed.
I do understand why they charge though....it's due to extra cleaning costs.

Years ago we took our Golden Retreiver with us on holiday. She was only young and casting her coat like mad.
There were red rugs in the lounge area and bedroom. They were white when we left. There was no hoover provided otherwise I would have cleaned up myself.
I really don't mind paying for her...she is part of the family and a good wee soul. I always look for somewhere with an enclosed garden and she loves exploring.


Honeybun
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[babyjane]

thank you everyone for taking the time to reply.

Dog is a good traveller, it doesn't worry him and he usually goes to sleep.  We always used to take all his own stuff but since he has got older and has some health issues he gets anxious when he doesn't know the routine or the layout or where we are in relation to him so we have not been taking him as he is generally happier with the minder he knows (but I am not happy without him).  Our daughter joked that if he was a child he could be autistic. A canine behaviouist we were talking to on holiday last week said that there is a school of thought among the doggy fraternity that some dogs might be autistic.  That is certainly what he can be like but I think the jury is out on that one still.

Anyway we always use Welcome Cottages and the places are definitely dog friendly and welcoming.  The property we have booked for next year welcomes dogs.  I booked one that does and also booked him in with his minder.  the ferry company allow dogs on deck.

As it is 15 months away it is really too early to start worrying about it (although I am having a good go) but I think I have covered all bases.  thank you again for sharing your views and ideas, it is really helpful.

[pj44]

My border collies first holiday was to the Iow. He has alot of anxiety issues takes after me. He was totally fine. Last Feb we went again and he was fine. This year after we went 4 days to lowersoft in a caravan which he has been in before but he seemed to of been totally stressed over and pulled out his fur in places places. We have been back 2 weeks now and he has stopped the pulling out of his fur. We are of to Lo W end August I am worried I don't think it's the travelling thou I know he does not really like it. It's the being in the caravan and when we go to the club in the evenings . He certainly has got far more anxious since I have moved home home. Feel sad for him. Wouldn't leave him thou as where I go he goes.

[pj44]

Meant to say you can take dogs with you on deck they can walk about on the deck with you or you can go in a section which us closed in if it is windy. I'm trying rescue remedy also herbal  calming tablets to try and calm him down as he really is very nervous most of the time lately.

[honeybun]

You can also get a mild sedative for your dog if travelling is an issue.

Our travels on the parcel shelf. She has her harness on but hubby has adapted it so she can travel where she likes.
I'm sure a lot of people in cars behind us think she is just a stuffed toy, until she moves 


Honeybun
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[babyjane]

pj44 and honeybun thank you, I have successfully used Valerian drops with mine on occasions but he is not an anxious traveller, has always travelled well in the car.  It is when he is out of his comfort zone and unsure of where we are or what is going to happen which is why we have been leaving him with a trusted, familiar minder the last few years.  However last week I wasn't at all happy without him, I think it's as he is getting older I want him with me.

Thank you for the info about the enclosed dog space on the ferry as I was wondering how you manage if it is raining! 

[CLKD]

Oh Honeybun - if the vehicle brakes suddenly she will still keep travelling even with a harness  and : doesn't bare thinking about ……. some owners use a crate but I know of some sad stories with those too 

If a property is regularly used for pets then it can upset your own, strange smells may be threatening which may account for the fur pulling.  I stopped using properties that charged for my dog because the place was always cleaner when we left than when we arrived  .

One place only allowed the dog in the 'porch' and not in the remainder of the property  'welcome' I don't think!

[honeybun]

The harness is bolted into the boot CLKD. It gives her just enough room to get up and turn around but there is no way she becomes a missile if we brake 

Should have explained better.


Honeybun
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[CLKD]

Phew! 'missile' being the right word