Puppy Post: Rules of Etiquette
Traveling can be very stressful not only for you but also for your pet. Being placed in completely unfamiliar places, surrounded by unfamiliar smells, people, food and more can be more than enough to change your confident pooch into a quivering fur ball or overly-excited, overly-curious canine. To help you prepare yourself and your pet for your next journey, here are a few tips to help ease the way.
- Check the pet policies of your selected accommodations to ensure your pet fits within any weight, breed or other standards the hotel requires.
- Keep identification on your dog as well as recent photos and veterinarian records in your luggage. If possible, purchase a temporary ID tag with your hotel information on it in case he or she becomes lost.
- Keep your dog on a leash to respect other guests and protect your pet. Keep in mind, a dog that is in unfamiliar territory may be more defensive than usual, so you will want to be extra cautious when around other people.
- Bring your dogs favorite items from home to make him or her feel more comfortable when they are away from home. A favorite dog toy or blanket can do wonders to calm your pet.
- Always bring plastic bags to clean up your dog's mess after walks.
- If you must leave your dog alone in your hotel room, put him or her in a crate so he or she will not disturb the maids when they come to clean your room. It is also a good idea to leave on the television or radio to keep them company.
- Feed your dog in the bathroom to minimize carpet messes while eating and drinking.
So on your next trip, keep these tips in mind so you'll have the whole hotel raving what a polite pet and guest you have been. Everyone will be sure to appreciate your extra effort!