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PhysicallyFITHAVE DOG,WILL TRAVELTips for Taking Your Dogon VacationBy Janice CostaSummer vacation. These are, quite possibly the two best words inthe English language. After a long, hard winter, a vacation is agreat way to de-stress and warm weather is perfect for gettingactive. But if you’re a dog owner, what do you do with your fourleggedbest friend when you go on vacation?While pet sitters, kennels and dog-loving parents can provide possibleboarding solutions; more and more people are opting to taketheir dogs with them on vacation. And more and more hotels arewelcoming these furry guests. But there are many potential pitfallsto traveling with pets, and planning ahead can make all the difference.So, as we enter into that summer travel time of year, considerthe following tips for traveling with pets.PLANNING YOUR TRIP* First off, be sure your itinerary will allow you to spend time withyour dog. If your trip involves lengthy days out sightseeing whileyour dog is stuck alone in an unfamiliar hotel room, you may bebetter off leaving your dog at home with a trusted friend or reliabledog care provider.* Scout out things to do with your dog before you get to your destination:hiking trails, swimming ponds, agility classes or dog-friendlyparks can make the trip a fun vacation for both of you.* If your vacation involves a stay at a pet-friendly hotel, do yourresearch first. It's not enough that a guide book or website says theytake pets; many hotels that claim to be pet friendly will not acceptdogs over a certain weight, multiple dogs or certain breeds. Somecharge hefty pet deposits or cleaning fees. Others do not allow dogsto be left alone in the room, even in a crate. Additionally, new managementcan mean a change in policies; so always call prior to yourtrip to confirm that your dog will be welcome and to review petpolicies.If you love doing things with your pet, consider an all-inclusivevacation where pet activities are part of the package. Dogcentricvacations like Canine Camp Getaway of NY provide a host of funactivities you can do with your dog as part of the package – andalso gives a great solution for solo travelers, who can meet likemindeddog lovers while bonding over agility classes, Frisbee, hiking,“Yappy Hour” in the dog-friendly bar or a Canine CPR seminar.BEFORE YOU GOTake your dog for a vet check up to make sure he or she is ingood health, up to date on all shots and ready for vacation. Don'tforget to update your dog's flea and tick medicine, as different areasmay have higher concentrations of these pests.* If you’re planning an active vacation filled with long hikes orromps in the country, start getting your dog in shape now.“Weekend warrior dogs,” which are couch potatoes for the rest ofthe year can be prone to injury without sufficient time to get inshape. Six to eight weeks of steadily increasing activity will prepareyour dog for an active vacation.* Get the name of a local veterinarian and a twenty-four hour animalhospital near where you'll be staying, and program the directionsinto your phone and/or GPS (if you’re a low-tech kind of person,write them down and put them in your glove compartment). Inan emergency, knowing where to go and how to get there can saveyou precious minutes, which could save your pet's life.* Pick up a lighted collar ornament for your dog so if you’re takingyour dog out at night in unfamiliar environments, you (and anypassing motorists) can see him/her.* Have a pet tag made up with your cell phone number instead ofyour home phone. If your dog gets lost, this will make it faster forsomeone finding your dog to reach you. If you travel frequently,consider micro chipping your dog as well. Dogs that are lost farfrom home are much harder to recover, and a microchip dramaticallyincreases your chance of being reunited with your pup shouldhe or she gets lost.* Crate train your dog and always bring a travel crate. Many hotelsrequire that you crate your dog if you’re leaving them in the room.May/June I 267-767-4205 I www.phillyfit.comPhillyFIT I 35