5 Tips For Taking Your Dog On A Walking Holiday

Holidays are a fun-filled time to relax and chill out with loved ones.

It’s often common for people to take their pets, such as dogs, with them during their holiday trips too.

If you’re a pet owner though, the last thing you’d want to worry about is whether your dog enjoys the trip as much as you are.

Fortunately, there are ways your dog can be happy while still getting some exercise of your own: one of them is taking them on a walking holiday.

Walking holidays are more popular than ever and make for an easy, low-impact vacation where you can see the sights, get some fresh air and enjoy the company of a man’s best friend at the same time.

Here are some hacks for taking your dog on a walking holiday.

1. Choose Your Destination Carefully

Before you embark on your walking holiday, you’ll want to choose a destination that can provide a dog-friendly holiday.

A good example is a place with plenty of other people and other dogs around.

This will help ensure that if you and your pup need assistance, it won’t be challenging to find someone who can give it.

You’ll also want a destination with plenty of water sources so that neither of you gets dehydrated along the way, and remember, this is important even if it’s not hot out.

Finally, choose a destination where food sources are plenty.

2. Know Your Dog’s Limits

Before you head out on your walk, it’s important to know if your dog has any health conditions that may affect its ability to be active.

You should also consider whether or not they need medication and what that medication is for.

If your pet is taking daily medication, it’s essential to have enough on hand if anything happens while away from home.

Some dogs are better suited to walking than others.

If you have a large dog, it might be best to plan ahead before an active holiday.

Smaller dogs will be able to handle most walks, but be aware that they may tire more quickly than larger breeds.

3. Watch Out For Signs Of Heatstroke And Dehydration

Animal heatstroke is a potentially fatal condition when a dog’s body temperature rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius).

On the other hand, canine dehydration happens when your pet doesn’t have enough water to drink.

If you’re out on a hike in hot weather, ensure you bring plenty of water for both you and your furry friend.

Another thing to keep an eye out for is sunburn.

If the sun is too intense on certain parts of your dog’s body for too long, they could get burned and develop skin problems later on if left untreated early enough.

Take some time each day during sunny days or after being exposed heavily within one day or so after your trip has ended; inspect all exposed areas like faces, ears, and tails,

4. Don’t Hesitate To Stop For Toilet Breaks

Dogs have a very different organ system compared to humans, and one of the consequences of this is that they can’t hold their bladder as long as we can.

This holds true if your dog is older or smaller.

You may be able to stretch things out a bit, but generally speaking, dogs need to go outside and do their business every hour or so.

If you’re taking them on a walking holiday in the countryside, then it’s important not just for them but also for yourself and other people that you take this into account.

Prepare them before allowing them outdoors.

5. Follow The Countryside Code

The Countryside Code is a list of dos and don’ts to enjoying the countryside with your dog.

You must follow all of them so that other people enjoy their walk too.

The code includes:

Clean up after your dog – ensure that you pick up any excrement left by your dog in public places.
Keep your dog on a short leash – when walking through areas where there are lots of people or other dogs around, use a short lead to control where your dog goes. This will also protect other people and their pets from being bitten if they get too close.
Make sure your dog doesn’t bother livestock – this is particularly important during lambing season when ewes may be more likely to attack dogs who come too close while caring for their lambs.