5 Tips on How to Solo Travel with your Dog | Solo Trekker

5 Tips on How to Solo Travel with your Dog: If you have no plan to go dog-less on travel, here are some tips to think about.

5 Tips on How to Solo Travel with your Dog:

Tip One:

If you plan to fly, be sure “Spot” will be safe.

It is rare but press accounts have told of issues when dogs have caused problems in the cabin. Some time ago a small pet broke out of his crate and ran up and down the aisles which might have started as just amusing. The bad news was that it did not end on such a light note when it bit a passenger.  In a second account a service dog injured the traveler in the next seat biting his face severely.  Having had 7 K-9 family members, I love my dogs but am not sure how they would do on a plane. My chief concern is that my small dog would panic and bark the whole way.  So it is key to try a short trip first and know if your dog would be stressed the whole way or cause problems for passengers and crew.

A second question is how safe is it to take your dog in cargo. The cargo hold may be very cold or hot. It has been suggested that on boarding you alert the flight crew that there is a dog in the cargo hold as air conditioning and heat can be changed. Reports have occurred of dogs that were lost or broke out and ran across runways. One well-known case in Metro DC resulted in a pet that was not found even with many dog lovers helping a long time search.

5 Tips on How to Solo Travel with your Dog:

Tip Two:

Consider the climate at your destination and how the dog will fare.

I watched with amusement in the Caribbean as a small dog arrived at the resort pool in a baby carriage. This may have made it work to bypass the “no dogs” sign. But since dogs don’t get cooled by perspiration, this may not have been fair to him.  If you take your dog to the warm climes, keep him/her cool and with access to water.

Tip Three:

Even in cooler climates, don’t leave your dog in  the car.

In DC, we hear of dogs stolen from yards and sidewalks. However, the most likely danger is caused by the fact that cars heat up much more than outside. It can be 10 degrees or more.  Although some dog lovers want to take their dogs “everywhere”, when you leave home you may not find safe places for your dog when you are out.

5 Tips on How to Solo Travel with your Dog:

Tip Four:

Even in a pet friendly hotel, a dog that barks all day and night can be a problem. In a recent stay in a luxury hotel, I noticed on another floor a dog that was barking lots. Since in the US dogs can’t go to restaurants and may have some (lesser) limits abroad, leaving your dog in the hotel may be your only option. This can be true also in some national or state parks, beaches and wildlife preserves.

Tip Five:

If you do not want to be “dog less”, consider ways to foster or dog share while away. The Internet has home stays and short term rentals that may offer dog sitting for reduced or no charge. (Do be sure you have met the dog, and it works for both of you.)  In addition, select hotels like certain of the Fairmonts that have K-9 “Ambassadors”. You can take selfies and play with them. In some cases, you can even take them for a walk.

If you must leave your dogs at home, plan ahead. I have two rescue dogs in my dog-centered home.  They generally vacation at a spa in the countryside with “open seating” (They run free in a large fenced field all day but have private “boudoirs” in the evening.)  Although this can run  up a tab, I know they are safe and having fun while I am on a trek around the world. If you have friends or family that can dog sit, that is the best value. However, there is the chance that a last minute emergency or change of plans can leave you with no K-9 care after you have paid for a trip abroad. Do have a Plan B or have travel insurance that allows such cancellation. (For more on travel insurance, see our blog at “7 Travel Insurance Tips for Solo Travel“.)