How to organize a dog friendly vacation

A quick search of the internet will bring up lots of dog-friendly hotels and motels. Many are the large, national chains, and they charge a small additional fee per stay if you bring a dog.

Other places to take your dog when you vacation:

campgrounds
motels
cottages
B&Bs

Google "dog friendly vacation" to see more.

Some websites featuring traveling with your dog, also publish a companion book or guide that rates hundreds of establishments that cater to the dog-loving traveler.

DogFriendly.com is just one example. You can visit their website and/or order their book online. (It covers both Canada and the United States.)

Even though there are tons of upsides to taking your pooch with you on a family vacation, or your own getaway - the single biggest issue is that your time is not entirely your own, because you're responsible for your pet. At home, you probably have routines and you're probably not with your dog 24/7. But when you're away, that all changes.

So make sure you have the patience (no matter how much you love your dog) for that kind of solid 'togetherness.'

Yes, that John Steinbeck, of Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden fame.

From Amazon.com: "At age 58 (in 1960) John Steinbeck and his venerable standard poodle, Charley, set out on a journey across America in a camper. For three months these companions traveled the nation, meeting friends, strangers, relatives and immersing themselves in the fabric of the country as it was at that time.

Travels With Charley: In Search of America

Steinbeck and Charley started their trip from Long Island, New York and roughly followed around the outer border of the country, traveling 10,000 miles in all in the specially-made little tin camper.

"Charley, a middle-aged French poodle, and Charley, as we come to know him, is one of the most civilized and attractive dogs in literature"
-- from a review of the book in the August 1962 edition of Atlantic Magazine.

Along the way, Steinbeck has 'imaginary' conversations with Charley and makes commentaries about America. at one point, Charley has to stay in a veterinarian hospital for a few days and Steinbeck realizes just how much he values the big poodle's company.

On the surface, this is a meandering travelogue across the United States, but it also reflects the author's own life journey. At 60, a highly successful writer, Steinbeck contemplates his own journey, together with his faithful friend Charley.

You can get this book at Amazon, Travels with Charley in Search of America

For the car ride, you'll need:

• leash (make sure he has a good collar, with an up-todate ID tag)
• bowls
• water and food
• bags for poop n' scoop
• clean up materials in case your dog is carsick
• Homeopathic EasyTravel Solution - Make pet journeys a pleasant and easy experience for owners and pets. From Amazon

(American flag shirt available at MyPetHaven.com )

CROSSING THE BORDER?
Here's what you need to know

Animals must be in good health when they arrive.

Dogs and cats must have certificates issued by a licensed vet identifying each animal and certifying that each pet has been vaccinated against rabies during the preceding 36 months.against rabies during the preceding 36 months.

Puppies and kittens under three months do not need certification, but there is a limit of up to two pets in this category which may be brought across the border.

Pet birds are allowed, if in compliance with regulations.

And don't forget:

There are many restrictions on food and plant items that can be brought from the U.S. into Canada. Prohibited items are confiscated, so don't bring any food or plant items with you that you would not be willing to give up at the border.

Here's what's prohibited:

• Most poultry and fresh eggs
• Most plants
• Many fresh fruits and vegetables

For more information, check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website or The U.S. Department of Agriculture's website

Here are 4 terrific sites which offer extensive, and up-to-date advice about dog and pet-friendly lodgings and more:

Pet Friendly Travel, provides easy access to pet friendly hotels and hotels that allow dogs, pet friendly vacation rentals, bed & breakfasts, cabins, motels, campgrounds and RV parks, resorts and spas in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. They also list dog friendly beaches and restaurants.

Dog Friendly publishes world-wide pet travel guides for dogs of ALL sizes & breeds. They also offer a free newsletter.

Official Pet Hotels is an excellent site for pet-friendly hotels around the world. Also includes dog travel tips and more.

Pets Welcome lists all dog-friendly lodgings in the U.S.A. and includes all the major chains in their information.

Bring Fido.com is a dog travel directory that offers reviews, detailed pet policy information, and online reservations at more than 25,000 pet friendly hotels through a partnership with Travelocity.

Information is also available on thousands of bed & breakfasts, vacation rentals, and campgrounds that welcome pets in 150 countries worldwide.


Since launching in April 2005, Bring Fido.com has helped more than half a million people take their dog on vacation. When you're looking for somewhere to stay, play or eat with your dog, BringFido.com is the place to come.

T hinking about camping? Or looking for dog/people friendly lodges and camps?You can learn more at Things to do with your dog on vacation here.

Or follow these links to learn more about camping, camp grounds, fishing lodges and hotels that welcome your dog to vacation

Just some of the dog/people camps available in the U.S.A. and Canada:

Camp Winnaribbun - Nevada
Camp Unleashed - Massachusetts
Camp Dogwood - Illinois
Camp Barking Hills - New Jersey
Dog Days of Wisconsin Summer Camp - Wisconsin
Canine Club Getaway - New York
Camp Gone to the Dogs - Vermont
Glen Highland Farm - New York
Bark!Here Dog Camp - Texas
Wag It Camp - Maine
Gunflint Lodge - Dog Lover's Weekend - Minnesota
Paws and People Camp - Montana
Puppyworks Events Calendar - U.S. activities nationwide
Dog Scouts of America - U.S. - a number of states
Maian Meadows Dog Camp - Washington
Dog Paddling Adventures - Ontario
4-H Paws n Pals - Maryland
Canine Outdoor Adventures - New York
Thank God! boot camp - California

** Thanks to DogPlay.com for these great links!

Pet vaccinations can be controversial, but virtually all veterinarians agree that the "core" vaccintions are absolutely vital. These include:

• distemper
• canine adenovirus-2 (hepatitis and respiratory disease)
• canine parvovirus-2
• rabies.

Different veterinarians recommend different vaccination schedules and vaccines according to your dog's risk factors and where you live. But if you're traveling it's always a very good idea to ensure those shots are up to date.

R ead more about dog vaccination schedules here.

For a longer trip, the most practical is a kennel cage, well strapped in to the back seat of your vehicle. Your dog should have access to water every hour or so, and of course, be given breaks to relieve himself.

I read an excellent suggestion about stopping at roadside rest stops to let your dog out; be sure to put his leash on BEFORE you take him out of the kennel cage, and get a good strong grip on that leash, even for a little dog.

After a car ride, your dog may be a little disoriented and stressed, and could dash out of your car, right into traffic.

For some excellent dog car restraints take a look at these doggie seatbelts and more on Amazon.

Once you've decided on the type of vacation, you'll want to nail down your accommodation as soon as possible.

You can expect that most hotels and motels will charge an extra fee per stay (not per night) if you bring a dog. This has been explained to me as the fee to steam clean the carpet after you go, and that seems fair. It can range from $10 to $40.

Here are three great websites that can help you find the right accommodation: The website BringFido.com lists literally thousands of locations across Canada and the United States where your dog is welcome. Besides hotels and motels, there are also B&Bs, cottages, campgrounds, restaurants, parks, historical sites and much, much more. Petfriendlytravel.com is another great resource, along with OfficialPetHotel.com

Once you've picked a spot, be sure to confirm their pet policy and get it in writing.

Above: Vacationing with Your Pet at Amazon.

Enjoy paddling, hiking and winter adventures even if you're just a beginner. At the same time you're getting fit, you an your dog will enhoy a great bonding experience.

If you're planning an extended hike be aware that not trails are dog friendly. This site has a really good, extensive list of dog-friendly trails in both Canada and the U.S. The site also has great tips including this one:

"Surface water, including the purest looking of fast-flowing streams, is likely to be infested with a microscopic protozoa called Giardia, waiting to wreak havoc on a dog's intestinal system. The most common symptom is crippling diarrhea. Algae, pollutants and contaminants can all be in clear streams, ponds and puddles. If possible, carry fresh water for your dog on the trail - your dog can even learn to drink happily from a squirt bottle."

Share the beauty of Ontario's finest waterways. Trips for women and their dogs; hiking and photographing your dog; Algonquin Park; the Haliburtons.... and much more. Dog Paddling Adventures