It's Adventure Time! 🐕

Hello, and welcome.

As self-contained accommodation opens up this week, you might be desperate to pack those bags and head to the beach, lakes, or mountains. More of us will be staying closer to home for our holidays this year - which means we’re much more likely to take our dogs too!

If you have a young puppy or perhaps haven’t travelled with your dog before, they might not be used to staying in a new environment. Pack plenty of items that smell familiar of home - their bed, blankets, toys, and even some water from your own tap for the first few days.

Going away means lots of opportunity for eating out - whether it’s at dog-friendly pubs, cafes, or packing a picnic. If your dog hasn’t been out for meals with you before, practise having on-lead meals in your own garden now. Use a specific mat or blanket to give your dog a space to settle on and reward them when they do. This is great practise for them being able to calmly relax during outdoor dining as you can take this “settle mat” with you when you go.

It may be tempting to try and fit in a whole year of missed adventures into your time away - but try to take a relaxed approach and don’t cram each day with too many activities. All dogs need lots of quality sleep to be calm and comfortable, but puppy owners should be especially mindful of balancing fun with sleep!

Holidaying with your dog brings the benefit of uninterrupted time together. Hopefully, work is left behind and you can just focus on fun times. A digital detox will prioritise your enjoyment of the small moments of each day. Take lots of photos with your dogs and enjoy the fun moments of running on the beach together or paddling in streams!

Until next time, safe travels!

Caroline