Millions of people go on vacation at any given moment. It’s fair to say at least half of those people take their canine companions along with them. Most dogs love adventure and are in the car before you can finish asking if they want to go for a ride.
However, finding the right room that will accommodate both you and your pet can be tricky. That’s why a little bit of pre-planning is necessary to make sure your trip goes smoothly.
Not all vacation rentals accept pets, which can be stressful if you’re in an unfamiliar area and need to find a bed for the night.
Is Your Dog Fit for Travel?
As much as dogs are known for their easy-going personalities, there’s no guarantee that your pet will like being away from home. Dogs are creatures of habit and can become destructive and even aggressive when taken out of their comfort zone.
The best way to figure out if your dog enjoys travel is by taking small road trips that get progressively farther away from home. Of course, if your travel plans are the result of an emergency, you may not have time to gauge your dog’s reaction.
Before loading your pup into the car and hitting the open road, consider their personality. Are they afraid of every little thing, or do they take things in stride? It’s important to keep in mind that a scared pup is more likely to bolt than a content dog.
If you’re not sure, find a pet sitter or boarding facility near your home, just to be safe. But if you’re confident that your dog is ready to travel, there are things you can do to increase the chance the trip will go off without a hitch.
8 Tips for Making Your Vacation Rentals Stay Stress-Free
Up until the point you check into your room and relax, every aspect of travel can be one hassle after another. Plane, train or automobile - how are you getting to your destination? How many activities can you cram into x amount of days to please every member of the family?
Traveling with your dog can add to your stress, which in turn, stresses your dog out when they pick up on the negative vibes. You can avoid having your dog turn into a neurotic mess by following these 8 tips for finding the right vacation rentals.
1. Make Sure It is Pet-Friendly
The days of stopping off the highway and finding pet-friendly lodging are gone. Many vacation rentals no longer allow pets because of neglectful owners. Before you consider sneaking your pet in, keep in mind that could land everyone sleeping in the car for the night.
Finding a pet-friendly vacation rental is easy with some online research before you leave. However, even if the trip is last minute, many vacation rentals make it clear on their marque if dogs are allowed. If you use an app to search for vacation rentals, you can narrow the search to only include pet-friendly vacation rentals.
2. Be Prepared to Pay Extra
Reserving a vacation rentals is a pricey endeavor these days. Most vacation rentals require a minimum of a $100 (refundable) deposit. If you’re traveling with a dog, you can expect to pay the regular deposit, plus a pet fee up to a couple of hundred dollars.
In some cases, the pet fee is nonrefundable, especially if your pup damages the room. You’ll also likely want to ask for a ground floor room, which may increase the overall price.
But still, a few extra fees get you and your pup a bed for the night, which is worth it compared to sleeping in the close quarters of a
