So you’re thinking about going on a trip and want to bring your golden along for the adventure. Traveling with your golden is so much fun! You can experience new places with your favorite furry companion. There are endless possibilities these days with an abundance of pet friendly cities, accommodations and activities making it effortless to bring your golden anywhere you go! Before you go on your trip there are some things you should know in order to make your vacation a great one!
Do some research before deciding on your destination as there are places that are more dog friendly than others. The top 10 most dog friendly cities in the U.S. in 2022 according to Smartasset.com (in order from most to least) are (Solum, 2022):
St. Petersburg, FL
Tucson, AZ
Tampa, FL
Portland, OR
Madison, WI
Las Vegas, NV
Arlington, VA
Minneapolis, MN
San Francisco, CA
St. Louis, MO.
BringFido.com also has a lot of great information about where to take your pup anywhere you go. They list pet friendly restaurants, hotels, activites, events, services and more!
You must also ensure the hotel or rental you stay at allows large dogs. Some hotels allow any number of dogs with no weight limit and no pet fee; however, that is not always the case. Kimpton hotels are a great boutique hotel chain that are very dog friendly. Ask the front desk where you can walk your dog, especially in a major metropolitan area.
Plan ahead and make sure your vehicle is setup to make the ride comfortable for your pup. You can place their dog bed in the back seat with some blankets, toys, and a bone and/or treat game to keep them busy. A seat protector is also helpful to limit the mess you might have in your car and keep your pup in the backseat. A seat belt for your dog will ensure your golden is safe and sound throughout your trip.
Don’t forget their dog crate if they are crate trained or if where you are staying requires it. Bring bottled water for the car ride and a collapsible bowl for them to hydrate. Bring cleaning supplies if your pup makes a mess in the car or wherever you are staying. As always, don’t forget the poop bags!
Bring your golden’s vaccination records in case the hotel or any event venues (i.e. dog bars, attractions, etc.) need them or if there is an emergency. Look up emergency vets in the area before you go just in case! Make sure your golden has a name tag on their collar/harness with updated information. GPS collars, like a Fi smart dog collar, are great to have on your dog so you can track their location in case they get lost. Make sure their microchip information is also up-to-date.
Plan stops along the way for your pup to relieve themselves. Try to stop every 2-4 hours for them to potty and stretch their legs. Some dogs have anxiety, especially during car rides, so you might want to look into CBD oil/treats to keep them calm and relaxed during the trip.
Many restaurants allow pets on the patio. Some bars and coffee shops will even alow dogs inside, just ask! There are many dog parks all over the U.S. to let your dog run free and have some fun! Bring some shampoo and a towel in case your dog gets muddy or needs to get clean after swimming at a dog beach. You could always find a self service dog wash to clean them at as well.
Now that you know the basics of traveling with your golden, get out there and enjoy your vacation with them! Have fun exploring and making memories with your golden furbabies! Remember to take lots of pictures! Comment below if you have any other tips that you have found helpful during your road trips with your pup! Feel free to also share where you have taken your golden on your getaways!
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References
BringFido. https://www.bringfido.com/
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. https://www.kimptonhotels.com/hotels/us/en/reservation?dp=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand%20-%20Exact&utm_term=kimpton%20hotels&adpos={adpos}&creative=558982637433&device=c&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqc6aBhC4ARIsAN06NmNcLmeAzywrEdIaF1Q_-WlFtGxl6h4azW5t58RS3EE0_wWx5CqLl8UaAmfEEALw_wcB
Solum, A. (2022, August 10). Most dog-friendly cities in america - 2022 edition. SmartAsset. https://smartasset.com/data-studies/most-dog-friendly-cities-in-america-2022