Holidays for dog owners
need not be a nightmare

HOLIDAYS can seem like a problem if dogs are involved. But if you plan ahead, there is no reason for owning a dog to mess up your holiday plans. Camping grounds and caravan parks will usually allow dogs as long as they are kept under proper control. Some hotels and motels also allow dogs, so the rule here is to phone and make sure before you book.

If you are buying or about to buy a puppy, try to do so either well before your main holiday, or leave it until you return, especially if you are going abroad.

Boarding kennels accept only dogs with up-to-date vaccination certificates. And a young dog going into a boarding kennel at a time when it is familiarising with a new home and new training routines is not a good idea.

If you have no alternative but to board your dog, first visit some in your area. Satisfy yourself that the one of your choice is clean, has plenty of room for a good run for the dogs and plenty of trained staffers to regularly exercises them. Check also that the kennel has a reputable vet on its books and would call that vet if anything happened.

Book early, especially for peak holiday times: remember, the best of anything is always the first to be reserved.

Most dogs love to go for a drive. Make sure the dog is well controlled and does not interfere with anyone in the car, especially the driver. If you have a hatch-back or four-wheeled drive vehicle, it is best to keep the dog in the back, behind a proper dog guard. Never leave a dog in a car for long periods especially in hot weather. If you leave him in the car, wind down a window to provide fresh air.

Make sure you have a bottle of water and a bowl in case your dog needs a drink. Dogs, like children, should also be encouraged to relieve themselves before a long journey and at appropriate stops. Finally, if you go for a drive in the country to give your dog a good run, make sure that your dog is always under control and on a leash whenever there is a likelihood he could worry farm or wild animals or destroy crops.

Holiday decisions

Sometimes you'll be lucky enough to have a friend or neighbour who will offer to look after your dog while you're away. But despite their best intentions, your friends may not be able to continue to look after your dog if their circumstances change. For most dog owners, it is necessary to board their pets at a kennel. Most dogs will adapt well to this situation, especially if they've been used to it from a relatively early age.

If you're thinking of travelling with your dog, there are some basic, common sense rules:

Make sure your dog is accustomed to car travel. Your holiday excursion shouldn't be his first trip in a car. If you know he's likely to be sick or excitable in the car, ask your vet to prescribe some travel sickness medication; this usually also has a tranquillising effect.

Make regular stops to allow your dog to relieve himself if necessary and offer him water to drink. Keep him on a leash when you exercise him, and never let him run loose at a service station or near a busy road.

Don't leave your pet in a parked car in hot weather. Never leave him in direct sunlight; always park in the shade. Even in dull weather, don't leave your dog in the car for more than 5-10 minutes. Make sure he has some drinking water. Leave the windows open wide enough to allow fresh air in but not him out! You can actually buy window attachments that allow the window to be left open, without your dog escaping.

Even though he may love to do it, don't let your dog hang his head out the window of a moving vehicle, as this can lead to eye injuries and may cause an accident.

Travelling abroad

If you're planning to travel abroad, you'll need to check on the potential health risks to your pet. Many countries have serious endemic animal diseases.

In developed countries where rabies is endemic, there are regulations and record keeping systems to ensure pets are vaccinated against rabies. To safely take your dog to such countries they must be vaccinated, which in the case of rabies takes at least six months ... and then may need to be redone if the required level of immunity has not been achieved.

Contact the airline in advance to find out what their regulations are in regard to carrying dogs. Exercise your dog gently before you leave home. Feed him a light meal no less than six hours before departing and take away his water two hours before, except on hot days. Provide a water dish so staff can give your dog a drink during stopovers. If the trip lasts longer than 24 hours, provide some food - preferably dry. Label the travelling crate clearly with your name, address and destination, and attach copies of any necessary documents. Also include your dog's name for the staff to use during the journey. Ensure your dog has a collar or tag with your details on it in case he somehow escapes.

Quarantine and vaccinations

Rules and regulations can change at short notice. The best place to get the latest information is from the country you're going to. Usually this means contacting the country's consulate or government veterinary department.

Always carry all documents with you, including vaccination certificates, health certificates and import certificates when required. Before booking your foreign trip, look into any restrictions with regard to bringing your dog back home. You may need to provide documentation on his vaccination status, and in addition he may be quarantined.

Boating

For safety reasons, it's best not to take a dog with you on a boating trip. If you sail to a foreign country, your dog may still have to be quarantined when you get home, even if he hasn't left the boat.

Boarding your pet

All boarding establishments should be inspected and licensed by your local authority. If you're not sure about this, ask to see the current licence. If possible, visit the premises before booking your dog in and check that the accommodation is clean, dry and hygienic. There should be good facilities for exercise, with any exercise runs having a concrete rather than grass surface, in order for them to be easily disinfected. Check that all the kennels, cages and gates are secure and in good repair. Most kennels require that boarders be fully vaccinated against the common diseases and they'll ask to see your dog's current vaccination certificate. If they don't have this requirement, you could be putting your pet at risk from the other animals.

Once you have chosen a suitable boarding kennel, you should book your pet in well before your departure date, as summers and long weekends can be exceptionally busy. Make sure all vaccinations are up to date, not forgetting that some vaccinations may take a week to 14 days to become effective. Let the kennels know if your dog is on medication or a special diet. Leave the address and telephone number of your own vet.

Dogs on vacation

Make sure pets are welcome at your destination and that you have told the proprietors before you book that you're bringing your dog. To find places that welcome dogs, check the advertisements in pet magazines. The travel trade and tourist boards now provide a great deal of information on the Internet.

There are also some more specific publications. Never let him off the leash where there may be livestock, or wild animals and birds. Remember that he may be able to smell them even though you can't see them. In farm country, this is especially important during the calving and lambing seasons. Livestock worrying can be a source of considerable losses to farmers and as such, they're entitled to shoot any animal they consider to be a threat.

Don't allow your dog to run over a cultivated field. If a public trail runs through the field, keep your dog on the leash and make sure you stay on the path. If you're visiting the seaside, be aware of the other people on the beach.

Don't allow your dog to foul the beach. If he does, make sure you clean up after him. Take him for a walk so he can relieve himself before you go to the beach.

Don't let him chase other beach users or be a nuisance in any way. In many saside resorts, dogs aren't allowed on the beach during the main holiday season. In hot weather, exercise your dog early in the morning or in the evening. If you're going on a long walk, take along his water dish and some water. Furthermore, don't forget to equip your dog with an identity tag that gives details of your temporary address and telephone number in case he gets lost.

Abridged - Reproduced with the kind permission of Kal Kan Foods, Vernon, CA, USA.