Holiday with dog.

kerri_gt

My friend goes away regularly with where OH and their dogs, most recent with 3 dogs, one being fairly young and quite a recent addition to the family (rescue from eastern europe so everything very new to her). They've done doggy friendly hotels and cabins, most recent was a cabin in the wood (which sounds like a horror story but I'm assured was lovely). I don't have the details to hand but PM me if you would like more info.

mum2one

we travel regulary with the dog, from caravans to cottages he loves them, you do have to plan days out and about differently,

If you are on facebook, theres some dog friendly holiday groups, they have recommendations, all corners of the UK. xx

Savvy_Sue

JIL wrote: »

no point being off work and staying at home.

Not so sure about that, it can give you the chance of being a tourist in your own home, finding different places you could take the dog to which you haven't had time to explore before, and so on.

Nebulous2

We're on our first dog and when we first got him we had a campervan, which he really liked. I think a caravan would work well, as long as he doesn't chew stuff. Fortunately for us our dog has never chewed anything other than his own toys.

We went away on holiday for a fortnight, a week in Cornwall and a week on the outskirts of London, when he was 5 months old. That was quite amitious and he dominated much of it but it was still very enjoyable.

We tried very hard to be responsible - and paid a lot of attention to the rules on walking him. We bought a large dog pram thing that we could pull behind bikes or push as with a pram. So we would push him to a park, walk him for 25 minutes, then stick him back in it. We even had it on the underground, where someone asked if he was a bear!

Full days out were a problem but even then there are workarounds. Our van wasn't compatible with the emission zone so we couldn't take it into London. So we went to London by train with the buggy and went to the science museum. My wife went in with the children in the morning, while I went to the park with the dog. We then met for a picnic lunch and I went to the museum in the afternoon, whilst she took dog. So it does take work, but for us was certainly do-able.

He's now three and this year we intend taking him away for 3 weeks caravanning in France and Spain. We're going out of season, where it shouldn't be so hot and there will just be two of us and dog, so I assume most of the time will be built around him.

catkins

krlyr wrote: »

And years ago, we never vaccinated babies, didn't have a cure for the many treatable diseases we have now, used to drill into people's skulls to relieve headaches..and so on. Recommendations come with us learning how to prevent issues. Studies have showed excessive exercise can damage growing joints, hence the time limitation on walks for puppies. It's not something that will 100% prevent joint issues, and nor is it something you need to stick by to the very second - but it's worth avoiding 2 hour long walks for a 6 month old pup, for example, for the sake of it's joint health as an adult.

I did say it would probably be ok to go over by a little. I never suggested a 2 hour walk.


I did more less adhere to the rule with my present dog but I do feel it is a bit over the top. For years people let puppies walk or run with no limit and did they all turn out to have joint issues? I have only ever had 1 dog out of 13 that had joint issues and I feel that was because he was neutered far too young at 6 months

JIL

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Not so sure about that, it can give you the chance of being a tourist in your own home, finding different places you could take the dog to which you haven't had time to explore before, and so on.

thats what weekends are for. I like to go away when i am off work for a full week, if at all possible.

owlet

krlyr wrote: »

Also, some places are hugely more pet-friendly than others, some let you take the dog anywhere. If you're worried about it being too much walking, you could always look at a pet stroller or similar - I know they often get laughed at as gimmicky, but it does give you the chance to take dog out all day without overdoing the exercise.

I have a pet stroller for my pup. It's great for when she gets tired or if we want to go to busy places etc. You get some sniggers but I'm not bothered. Well worth it.
She is just that bit too heavy for me to carry for more than a few mins now.

lisa110rry

Thought of having a boating holiday on the Broads? Many hire boats are dog friendly and you can do your own thing. Would suggest keeping pup in the cockpit unless wearing a life jacket though. We generally go three or four times a year.

JP08

Vote for renting holiday cottages here, if you have a dog. A lot will take them. Even damn great white hairy elderly retrievers like ours was !

One thing to watch, though, is that the dog and the stairs are compatible, many places have steep stairs that elderly (NA in your case) and short legged (maybe applicable) dogs can't cope with.

Also a lot of places (shops etc) are dog friendly, especially in rural areas. I swear that in the Yorkshire Dales, taking a dog into places is practically compulsory, though sheep can be a problem ... the lambs kept running headlong at the poor old boy - I think he looked too sheeplike. Even when we wandered into the Rope Works in Hawes, he didn't have to be left outside on the factory tour ! Ditto for the boat trip on the Wye on our holiday in Herefordshire. Beaches can be a little more problematic ...

krlyr

You can find details on which beaches allow dogs and which have date restrictions online. http://www.thegooddogguide.com/dog-friendly-beaches is one of them - or looking up the beach's/council's own site