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9 Handy tips to remember when bringing your pets on holiday!


Running 4 pet friendly venues brings us into regular contact with people who can’t imagine what it would be like to come on holiday with their fur babies. These lovely folk fall into two categories – those who arrive relaxed, smiling and ready for their holiday, and those who look like they have had a trip from hell. Their dogs reflect them perfectly. The first group’s dogs are calm, friendly and inquisitive about the new surroundings. The second tend to have nervous, skittish dogs that strain at their leads.

Here are some great tips for making sure you fall into our first category. This is particularly valuable information for new pet owners and those with high-maintenance pooches.

Some of our guests travel with crates or cages for their loved ones. Although this is highly recommended by vets and canine specialists, not everyone has the space in their vehicles for this option. Especially when travelling with more than one dog.

We hope that this information helps make your next road-trip a pleasure.

1. Get your dog used to the car. If you have a new pup or an awkward pooch, help them see the car as a safe space by taking them by taking them on short trips with the destination being somewhere fun, like a park where you can walk them on a leash so they can sniff and smell. Remember that this is an exercise in trust. Let them stop, sniff, read and leave wee-mail without you hurrying them on. Done enough times your dog will equate a car trip with a reward. Remember your dog takes its cue from you, so avoid using a tone of voice that will excite your dog. Keep your tone calm and your body language relaxed. If you have a dog that is nervous of getting into a car you will have to spend some time reassuring it that is safe. With no engine running open all the doors and sit quietly in the back seat with your dog’s blanket and a toy or two next to you. It make take awhile, but when your dog comes to investigate, give it a treat. Eventually you will be able to coax your dog into the car. When you see that your pet is comfortable with the idea of being in the car, take a few short drives around the block to see how it goes. Once you see that your pooch has lost its nervousness you can venture further like a park or hike.

2. Give your pet a small meal about 4 hours before leaving on a road-trip. Don’t feed any pets in a moving vehicle, even on a very long journey. Except for maybe a treat or two, always stop before feeding. Motion sickness can happen, even with the most travel seasoned dogs, especially on a long journey. Ask your vet for some anti-nausea tablets to keep in your pooches travelling kit.

3. On the subject of travel kits, make sure you include their food (bring it with you in case your brand isn’t available locally), food bowls, bed, favourite blanket, a few toys, leash or harness, waste scoop and plastic bags, brush and, of course, travelling first aid kit. If you don’t have a first aid kit for your fur baby, please discuss it with your vet or local specialist pet store.

4. Make sure to pull over for regular wee and exercise stops. Keep your dog on a lead and remember to give your dog some water at every stop.

5. Use sunshades on your windows. The suction cap variety is fine. Remember that heat builds up in a vehicle, so if you have an air conditioner, use it to maintain a reasonable temperature.

6. Apart from chipping your dog, also have a collar with your info, including your cell number and your pet’s name engraved. If your pooch decides to go walkabout there will be a better chance of finding him.

7. For the safety of other drivers and your pet, DON’T let them travel with their head hanging out of the window. Your dog could suddenly leap from the window if it can if something attracts its attention. Also, road debris and insects can get into its eyes, causing discomfort, and sometimes permanent damage.

8. On arriving at your destination, put your hound on a leash and let it sniff the new surroundings. Show your pet where it’s bed is, put down fresh water and give your loved one a tasty meal as a treat for being such a great travel companion.

9. Please remember to be responsible for cleaning up any of your dog’s mess. They can’t do it themselves so it is up to you!

We hope that this will help with your next visit to Clarens. Remember that Clarens Guest Accommodation has 4 pet-friendly, budget conscious, self-catering accommodation venues that are ideal for couples and small families travelling with their furry loved ones. Please visit our website for more details.

Cheers and Happy Travels!

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