Self-Catering Essentials – Taking your dog with you

One of the main advantages of a self-catered holiday in the UK or Ireland is that you can take your dog with you. Here are some handy hints to make sure that you and your dog get the best out of the holiday.

• Is it accepted?

First of all check with the owner that dogs are accepted, nothing could be worse than arriving after a long drive, only to find out that there was a misunderstanding and that dogs are not welcome!  Sometimes owners might have multiple cottages so an honest mistake could occur.

When enquiring about your holiday, it’s worth checking out a few things with the owner.  A little planning at this stage can pay dividends later. If the cottage owner accepts dogs, then it’s likely that they are dog owners themselves and will have a lot of local knowledge that you will certainly find useful.

For example some owners request that dogs are not left alone in the property. Knowing such things in advance will allow for some forward preparation such as finding local dog sitters or, if appropriate, your dog could be trained to spend some time in cage.

Here are a few questions to ask the owner:

• Is the garden secure? If your dog is an escape artist, how high does the fence need to be?

• Can the dog be left alone in the property? Is the owner happy if the dog is left in a cage for short periods, or is there a kennel in the garden that could be used safely?

• What is the owner’s policy regarding furniture and rooms etc. Many owners aren’t happy about dogs going upstairs.

• Where are the best local dog friendly walks, beaches, parks etc.

• Are there any areas that require your dog to be kept on a lead? (If your ideal holiday cottage is situated in a sensitive wildlife park, keeping your dog on a lead all the time could become quite a burden).

• Where are the local dog friendly pubs?

• Location and phone number of the nearest vet.

• Availability of any local day kennels – especially if there is a particular attraction that you want to visit that is unsuitable for dogs.

Before you go away, make sure that your dog has a name tag with your mobile phone number and perhaps your vets number on it. Also, as you will be travelling to new, unknown places, it might be worth making sure that your dog’s vaccinations are up to date.

Also, some dogs are happy travellers, whilst others less so. Invest some time getting your dog used to car journeys, especially if it’s the first time that you are taking your dog away with you.

If, like me, you write up a packing list for you and your family, here are some items to add if you are taking your dog!

• Dog bowls for food and water (please don’t use china bowls meant for guests!)
• Dog food
• Poo bags (nappy sacks make a great, cheap alternative)
• Medication (if your dog requires it)
• Dog bed
• Throws or covers to help keep fur off furniture
• Leads and collar
• Cage (if your dog is accustomed to sleeping in one)
• Tick remover and / or flea treatment
• Dog shampoo (If your dog loves rolling in new smells!)
• Old towels to dry the pet off after any muddy walks
• A dog toy or two
• A selection of favourite chews and treats
• Consider buying a portable water bowl if you intend on taking long walks