When going on holiday with your dog, everything should revolve around its needs. Whether destination, journey, or activities on site – you need to adapt everything to your four-legged friend. But first of all, you should ask yourself the question: Is my dog even well-suited for travelling? On the plus side, it’s clear: Your four-legged friend prefers to spend time in familiar company. That means with you or the people you know. There are also a few questions that you should answer honestly..
- Can your dog travel by car without stress? Even over longer distances?
- Does it feel comfortable in strange surroundings?
- Is it not too young (keyword: basic training) – or too old to cope with a trip?
- Is it healthy? If not, you should opt for smaller trips.
The journey is its own reward – especially with your dog.
Relaxed travelling with a dog is best done with your own car. This way, you can be flexible and can take breaks as needed. Air travel? This is usually quite stressful for dogs. In addition, dogs over a certain weight must also travel in the cargo hold. Travelling by train is much more pleasant. However, you should get your dog used to a muzzle in advance. It is best not to choose long journeys or times when the trains are not so crowded. So the car is clearly the ideal choice. And if you go with the car and the dog most go in the luggage hold on the ferry, check the conditions in advance. You could perhaps do a little boat trip in advance in order to find out whether your dog is seaworthy.
The destination: Where to go with your dog?
If you holiday in your own country, you are on the safe side. If you’re travelling abroad, there are a few things to consider. What are the entry requirements for a dog? Which vaccinations are required? Does your dog liability insurance apply? For a border crossing, your dog must be chipped in any case. And don’t forget the pet passport. A valid rabies vaccination at least 21 days before the start of the trip is also a must. Some EU countries (e.g. Malta or Finland) have additional stricter rules for anti-parasitic treatments. In some countries, there are special regulations for the transport of dogs in cars. You should check all this in advance if you are planning a trip abroad. Apart from the regulations, the duration of the trip is also important. Are you going to the south with high temperatures? You then have to take the necessary precautions or make sure that your dog is not exposed to the full heat. More about this later.