Why You Should Walk Your Dog on Your Dog-Friendly Vacation

If you walk your dog every morning or evening, youexcitement for your dog: he looks out the car
might not realize how much he looks forward to thiswindow wondering where you are headed and what
part of his day. To a dog, the walk is a travelyou are going to do.
experience. New sights, sounds, smells-all these areIf your dog only goes on short walks with you at
important experiences for him. You can prove this byhome it may be time for a little fitness training if you
not going on the walk one day. Watch how hetwo are going on vacation. Don't expect your dog to
seems crestfallen when you don't appear with thego from being a couch potato to a marathoner in
familiar leash at the regular time. He may even try tojust a few days. Start off with walks that are just
bring the leash to you or follow you around until youfive or so minutes longer than his normal walk and
take the hint: It's time for a walk. One way togradually increase the time up to ½ hour.
enhance the walking experience is to vary your routeWalking in a strange location means you have to
at least partially each day, so he can satisfy his needtake extra precautions. You pooch may be friendly
to explore. Unfamiliar routes are a good way to getto everybody at home but a little leery of strangers
him used to new experiences similar to what hein a strange place. For the first few walks away from
might get on vacation with you.home try to find a quiet route where he can sniff
If he enjoys just a dog walk of a mile or twoand explore without a lot of distractions.
through the neighborhood, imagine what a treat it isNo matter where you walk your dog make sure his
to go on a family vacation with you. These days,collar includes a tag with your contact information,
dogs are welcome in lodging facilities across thepreferably a cell phone you always have with you.
country. And not just cabins or campgrounds-5 starAnd keep your buddy on a leash all the time unless
hotels in the middle of major cities more and moreyou're in an off leash park. A safe puppy is a happy
have a pet friendly policy. This is the ultimatepuppy.