Taking your dog on holiday with you used to be a lot harder than it is today. And although few places are like the Czech Republic, where you can get away with taking your dog just about anywhere, the truth is people who own holiday resorts and hotels are beginning to realize that people like taking their dogs on holiday with them
and will pay for it if they have to. But this still leaves the question: where, then, can I take my dog?
If you have to fly your dog somewhere, you’ll be subject to airport and airline dog carrying regulations. It’s something that you should look into before even booking your flight. Make sure that the airline allows dogs to be transported with them and that the flight still has dog vacancies. You’ll also probably have to make sure that a vet clears your dog for flight and you’ll need to have all your dog’s vaccines and documents up to date. If you’re going abroad, don’t forget the dog passport! And as a final tip, make sure you ask how much your dog will cost to be carried. Sometimes they’ll only tell you the price per pound, so make sure you weigh your dog and the carrier and make sure that the cost isn’t too steep.
Camping is a place where you can naturally take your dog and it will probably feel at home. Some people will even tell you that they would never go camping without a dog, as it’s an excellent link to the wild and an excellent night guard for the tent. If you’re planning on staying on camping grounds make sure they are pet friendly first, just in case you drive all the way up there and realize you can’t stay.
Some dogs love to travel by car, so a road trip might also be a good idea. Again, just make sure that all the hotels and hostels you’re planning on staying at allow pets. And be sure to meet all safety regulations for taking pets with you on the car, or you’ll risk a ticket or, worse, getting involved in an accident.
The beach is another excellent place to take your dog. Some beaches don’t allow dogs, partly because they can be a nuisance and because of dog poop. If your dog does have an oops moment at the beach, make sure you pick it up and not just bury it – we used to call poop buried in sand a “landmine” for a reason.
Finally, we would like to go back to the beginning a bit and recommend you do some research and travel somewhere where dogs are widely allowed. Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is one of these places. There are just so many people with dogs there that they simply allow them practically everywhere. And it’s worth going there just for that experience: being able to eat at a restaurant with your dog lying at your feet is something that’s strangely fun.