Are you a baby boomer dog owner? Do you wish that you could share travels with your furry friend? Today, Edie Jarolim, author of [amazonify]1592578802::text::::Am I Boring My Dog: And 99 Other Things Every Dog Wishes You Knew[/amazonify], gives us a few tips for traveling with your dog.
Dog Guard Booster Seat from http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk
Baby boomers whose kids have flown the coop are often described as “empty nesters.” In many cases the term isn’t really accurate. Those of us who have dogs — a majority, by most estimates — are hardly free from caretaking responsibilities.
The good news: Those responsibilities no longer have to mean staying at home or entrusting your pup to others. Pet travel is booming among boomers, as more and more destinations put out the welcome mat for furry visitors (who, granted, are more likely to chew than wipe their paws on it).
What’s the best way to travel to the many pet friendly destinations? Consider the options:
Planes: Unless you have a dog small enough to take into the cabin or can afford a charter (see the Dogtravel Company), air travel is not ideal. The pressure and temperature in the hold vary, making a noisy, noxious, and already terrifying experience even more terrifying and uncomfortable for your dog. And dogs can’t even take chill pills. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, sedatives and tranquilizers can create respiratory and cardiovascular problems at increased altitudes.
Yes, on the new PetAirways (read Edie’s review), your dog travels in the cabin. But not with you. Pets are booked on separate flights. I think it’s stressful to try to coordinate your flights with your dog’s — even if you can afford the additional flight cost and even if you are on one of the few routes that PetAirways currently offers.
Trains: Sorry, no go. Dogs are not allowed on Amtrak. Frankly, I think the company could solve all its financial problems if they allowed pets on board — I’d be the first to shell out for a sleeper compartment that I could share with my dog — but no one asked me. The pup prohibition is true for bus companies, too, even Greyhound — its name notwithstanding.
Automobiles: This is, hands down, the best mode of travel for most people who have pets (RV and motor homes are even better, but I’m not going to suggest you go out and buy one just for your dog). And unlike those earlier family excursions you used to take with your kids, there’ll be no one in the back of the car nagging, “Are we there yet?”
For tips on traveling safely with your dog, see Buckle Up for Dog Safety.
Edie Jarolim’s most recent book is [amazonify]1592578802::text::::Am I Boring My Dog: And 99 Other Things Every Dog Wishes You Knew[/amazonify] (Alpha/Penguin, 2009). She is the Pet Travel Correspondent for KVOA TV in Tucson and blogs about dogs (and especially her dog, Frankie) at Will My Dog Hate Me?.
Disclosure: I have included an Amazon link to [amazonify]1592578802::text::::Am I Boring My Dog: And 99 Other Things Every Dog Wishes You Knew[/amazonify] for your convenience. However My Itchy Travel Feet does receive a small percentage for purchases made at Amazon.com.
Do you travel with your dog? Post a comment to share your favorite dog-friendly travel tips.
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
That doggy seat is great. It would make a perfect gift for a friend of mine. Thanks for posting all this useful information.
We have been traveling with our dogs for many years, all by car. There are a few things to remember before you start out.
From a pup, have your dog microchipped or tattooed in case he ever gets lost. Doing this will make it easier to locate your wayward pet.
Always keep a copy of your dog's shot record with you. You never know when you will be asked to prove your dog has been vaccinated.
Carry water from home to avoid digestive upsets on the road. And take a break every two hours to stretch your legs and exercise your dog.
An RV is a great way to travel and you will have everything you need at hand for your comfort and your dog's. But if you have a travel trailer, never let a dog or any living creature ride in it while moving. In most states it is against the law.
What an original and funny post! I really enjoyed reading it. Now I'll have to get a closer look at dogtravel company and pet airways and share with all my friends who are pet lovers!
My small dog does happen to fit into the compartment under the seat on the airplane. He's travelled with us quite a few times on flights. I've noticed though that the airlines have really increased their prices on pet travelers. The first time we took our dog it cost $50. About a year or so later, the cost had doubled to $100. That's when we started to look into a nearby kennel.
Thanks for the fun post. Now you've got me wondering? Donna likes to go by ship–do cruise ships allow pets?
This book looks terrific, Donna. Thanks for the recommendation.
Twitter: ottsworld
December 18, 2009 at 12:32 pm
OMG – that picture of the dog in the little doggie carseat…only in America! I've obviously been away too long.
As it happens, one ship, the Queen Mary, allows you to take dogs, but it takes a while to get all the documentation to travel overseas. I don't believe any other cruise lines allow pets.
As it happens, that doggie car seat is sold by a company in England (where they're even crazier about their dogs — if possible — than we are in the U.S.)!
You can't take your dog on the train? Really? What if it's a service dog?
I want a dog badly, but I don't know what I would do with one when I'm out of town.
My Duck Toller has his own seatbelt in the front seat, which is separate from the people seatbelt… although, don't tell him he's not a person!
Service dogs are always excepted when it comes to dog prohibitions — that includes plane cabins.
As for going out of town, if you can't take your dog with you there are a great many options, from kennels to dogsitting to dog care exchanges, some not very expensive. And it helps to have friends and/or relatives who love your dog almost as much as you do — and who will allow you to talk to your dog on the phone when you're away.
Wow–didn't realize that about Amtrak. Why not let little lap dogs on the train?
That’s an excellent question — and I researched it and am planning to blog about it. Check in at http://willmydoghateme.com; I’ll be talking about it soon.
I never really thought of dog ownership and travelling as going together before now!
I travel with my pug everywhere and it's a bit difficult when it comes time to fly. Although our dog is very laid back, it's the paperwork upfront that's takes some doing in advance. Once you're prepared though it's not so bad and if you wear out your dog (and I mean really wear them out, I run at least 4 miles almost twice a day) – the flight will go smoother for them.
I would love a really big RV so I could have 3 beds for my greyhound – just like she has at home! Seriously, though, great post.
I would love a really big RV so I could have 3 beds for my greyhound – just like she has at home! Seriously, though, great post.
great tips for traveling with dogs.
your blog have unique content too…
maybe i`ll come back again in other day
Thats right… Mark that line..Pet travel is booming among boomers, as more and more destinations put out the welcome mat for furry visitors .. valid point..now its becoming more than usual in the developed nations.
I couldn't agree with you more. I am so glad my baby boomer mistress loves to take me with her everywhere. I have gone by plane, by boat, by train (short rides on commuter trains and subways) and by car but my most favorite and most fun way is to ride in the open air on her vespa!
I have my own crated cushion seat in the back where I am strapped in for safety, and away we go…..
very cute dog, it would be really such fun to be with him
Yes, you can take a service dog on a train. Service dogs are ALWAYS the exception to the rule!
Personally, if our dogs can't make the trip in the car, we leave them at home with a pet sitter. We love our dogs, but it is nice to get a vacation free of the pets every once in awhile. I know not everyone feels the same way (My mom included!).
We wouldn't dream of traveling without our beloved yorkie, he goes wherever we go and is travel savey as he's been to santa fe and other new mexico cities as well as numerous cities in texas and has never been a problem. We are baby boomers and our dog is our family, we are very appreciative of hotels and stores that allow him to enter along with his human parents. We make sure he is well behaved and doesn't disturb others. He especially loves santa fe as they are extremely pet friendly, thank you old santa fe inn, plaza shops and the lovely people of that town.