| Many people never think about taking their dog with | | | | experience for you, something you do every |
| them on vacation because they don't realize that | | | | summer. Just watch the first time your dog gets to |
| many nice hotels around the country are now dog | | | | run through the surf at the ocean, how happy it |
| friendly and, under certain restrictions such as the | | | | makes him. The experience will be brand new for you |
| size of the dog, welcome your canine companion to | | | | again, too. |
| their lodging facilities. They've even gone so far as to | | | | A road trip with you can be an important part of his |
| have staff members trained to do things like walk | | | | socialization and training. You will have to train your |
| your dog if you need them to, and they have pet | | | | dog well in order for him to be welcome in a bustling |
| amenities such as special beds, welcoming treats, and | | | | hotel environment where he will encounter lots of |
| food and water bowls ready upon your arrival. | | | | new people, new experiences like elevators and |
| When you bring your dog with you on a trip, you will | | | | balconies, and meeting hotel staff. You will have to |
| find you get more exercise. Your dog will want to | | | | train your dog to come when you call, to prevent |
| get out and explore because the new sights, sounds | | | | tragedy in the event he gets off his leash. Particularly |
| and smells are stimulating to him. And of course dogs | | | | if you are staying in an area with heavy street |
| have to go out for periodic potty breaks. This means | | | | traffic, it is absolutely critical your dog does not get |
| you'll be more inclined to get outdoors and explore. | | | | away from you. |
| Dogs don't allow us to be couch potatoes. Even if | | | | Dogs that bark at every single sound or sight are not |
| they were welcome there, dogs don't really enjoy | | | | good candidates for visits to hotels. So, you will have |
| lounging around a hotel pool. | | | | to curb that behavior at home before you take your |
| Having your dog with you makes you feel more like | | | | dog on the road. All this added socialization will pay |
| home when you're traveling. It's surprising how much | | | | dividends when you come back from your trip. You |
| we miss our dogs when we are away from them. | | | | will find that, for example, if you take your dog to an |
| It's not just the dog that gets separation anxiety. | | | | outdoor café, he won't seem so anxious |
| They are a more significant part of our lives than we | | | | anymore. He will get used to the idea of sitting |
| sometimes give them credit for, giving us a feeling of | | | | quietly while you eat or enjoy a beverage. |
| safety and security. | | | | Dogs can help make your vacation a more social |
| You also save the cost of a boarding kennel-which | | | | experience for you as well. Most dog lovers are not |
| can be quite expensive. And even in the most posh | | | | afraid to walk up to a person who has his dog with |
| facilities, your dog is confined to a small space for a | | | | him and introduce themselves, and ask to meet or |
| large portion of each day. If you leave your dog with | | | | pet the dog. There is an unspoken camaraderie |
| a friend or relative, there's always that worry in the | | | | among dog owners. By contrast, most people are |
| back of your mind about whether your dog is being | | | | reluctant to walk up to perfect strangers and strike |
| well cared for. After all, no one gives your dog the | | | | up a conversation. Having your dog with you can help |
| wonderful care you do. | | | | you feel less isolated when you travel. |
| You also get the opportunity to see experiences | | | | All things considered, bringing your dog will enhance |
| through your dog's eyes. You may have gone to the | | | | your vacation experience. The bond between you will |
| beach dozens of times, and it's almost a routine | | | | grow even stronger. |