Chapter 13
Traveling with Your Lab
In This Chapter
Keeping your Lab safe in your car, minivan, or motorhome
Vacationing with your Lab
Making arrangements when she can’t join you
What could be more fun than driving all alone in a car? Having your Lab along when you drive around town or go on a family vacation can make the ride much more enjoyable and can even make your trip safer (evil-doers don’t want to tangle with people who have big dogs in their cars). Plus, you can rest easy knowing your dog is with you rather than home alone. Everyone will be happier.
In this chapter, we give you some ideas about how to travel safely with your Lab and how to make the most of your car trips, whether they’re around town or on the road. We also help you to find more ways to spend time with your Lab by taking her with you, even to places you may not have considered.
Taking Your Lab around Town
Your Lab may be able to accompany you to more places than you think. Joel trains families to train their puppies and dogs all around the Washington, D.C., metro area and the suburbs. He does lots of driving and spends an hour or two at each of his client’s homes on a weekly basis. For over a decade, he has brought at least one Lab with him, and now he usually has two Labs and a Rottweiler (that’s another book). He does this year-round, and it works great with lots of planning. If you become a client of Joel’s in the summertime, he’ll be asking you, “Where can I park my vehicle in the shade?” You, too, can take your Lab just about anywhere if you plan ahead.
In the winter, you probably don’t have to worry about heatstroke unless you live in a warm climate; plenty of dogs in Florida, for example, can get heatstroke on a warm day in January. Although Labs are more cold-tolerant than heat-tolerant, you don’t want to freeze your buddy on a particularly frigid winter day.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
Who would buy a vehicle just for their dog? Plenty of people! Although you can buzz your Lab around town in that little sports car, you won’t want to leave her in there for very long.
Baby, you can drive my car (because it’s too small for my Lab)
Most cars have a relatively small airspace, and when your Lab is with you and will have to wait in the car, even for a short time, you have to think about ventilation and temperature. If you leave the windows open enough to ventilate a car and keep it cool, they’ll probably be open enough for your Lab to escape after that squirrel in the parking lot. If you keep your Lab in her doggy den, you can crank the windows wide open, but then someone could steal your car and/or your Lab. You certainly don’t want that to happen!
Cocoa chooses a Caravan
Many years ago when Joel’s Lab, Cocoa, started to have trouble jumping into his utility vehicle, Joel and Cocoa went vehicle shopping together. Guess what? Not one single car dealer said, “Get that dog out of here!” (That could have meant a missed sale!) When Cocoa stepped into the back of a Dodge Caravan, laid down on the seat, and looked at Joel as if to say, “Okay, buy this one,” Joel did. Cocoa spent many happy years riding around in Cocoa’s Caravan, and somewhere out there is a salesperson who probably remembers with great fondness that incredibly easy sale!
Vans and minivans
If you go to a dog show (a fun family activity, by the way), you’ll see that the parking lot looks like a minivan dealership (you’ll also see some full-sized vans and more than a few motorhomes). Minivans are great for every kind of dog because they offer lots of airspace; multiple windows that can be opened for ventilation; and plenty of room to haul the kids, the dog, and all the stuff that both need on any kind of trip.
Regular vans and sport utility vehicles offer lots of room and airspace for your Lab, too, but check to see how easy it is for your Lab to get in and out. If your Lab is aging and/or suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia, or any other painful condition, a low-to-the-ground minivan may be just the ticket — it’s easy to enter, easy to exit, and very comfy.
Motorhomes
Motorhomes aren’t cheap, and you may find the price to be more than you can justify for your life right now, no matter how much you love your Lab. But boy, do Labs love motorhomes! Motorhomes are the ideal vehicle for transporting your Lab. You may have trouble explaining why you drive a motor-home around town, but you and your Lab will be happy!
Of course, motorhomes make more sense for longer trips. If you’re at a stage in your life where you would like to travel comfortably around the country with your Lab, a motorhome may be the ideal purchase. You’ll have fun traveling from town to town, seeing the sights, meeting new people, and relaxing in your home-on-wheels.
Joel goes to lots of seminars, so when it came time for him to get a new, safe vehicle for his dogs when traveling both locally and far from home, he decided he’d better do some research. On the Internet, he found what looked like the perfect vehicle: the Volkswagen EuroVan Camper by Winnebago. At first, it looked like this motorhome was only available in Europe, but after calling around, Joel found one in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., and bought it. The Volkswagen EuroVan Camper by Winnebago has lots of ventilation, including a vent in the roof and a couple of screened windows. For hot days, the top pops up and becomes a screened tent! The biggest drawback is the price. It isn’t an inexpensive ride.
Looking for grass
Even veteran travelers can face new challenges. Back in 1993, Joel and his Lab, Cocoa, drove from Maryland to California for a meeting of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers conducted by Dr. Ian Dunbar. Cocoa was an old pro at traveling, having accompanied Joel to many seminars. When Joel made the first potty stop in the desert, however, Cocoa looked around, puzzled, and then looked at Joel as if to say, “Well, where’s the grass?” Joel laughed and said, “You’re in trouble if you hold out for grass!” Cocoa decided to hold out for grass and convinced Joel, with her Labrador Retriever wiles, to stop at casinos along the way instead, where they had plenty of nice, lush grass. When Cocoa pottied, she gave Joel the look that meant, “Good job! Now clean it up, and let’s get going.”
Your vehicular pick
Does your Lab’s doggy den fit inside?
How well can it be ventilated?
Does it stay cool in the shade (light-colored cars stay cooler)?
Can your Lab easily get in and out?
If everyone in your family is in the vehicle, is there still room for your Lab?
Can your Lab be safely secured in the vehicle?
Does it have room to pack all your Lab-related accessories, such as your canine first-aid kit, water, dog bowl, and items for retrieving?
If you have children, you may have noticed that sports cars don’t look quite as appealing as they once did, and if you bought one back in your pre-parent days, you may now find it pretty inconvenient. Now that you’re a dog owner, give your dog the same consideration, and your life will be easier when you take your Lab along. Spend some time looking around, trying out options, and choosing a vehicle that will allow you and your Lab to spend time together on the road.
Practicing Vehicle Safety
Every time you drive in your car, you risk the possibility of having an accident. You put your seatbelt and shoulderbelt on to prevent injury (at least, we hope you do!). But what will prevent your Lab from getting injured if you’re involved in a car accident?
As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to see that your Lab remains as safe as possible. Also, consider that your Lab could seriously injure you and the rest of your family in an accident if she becomes an unguided missile inside your car. Take all precautions and secure your Lab inside your car whenever she travels with you.
You have two options when deciding how to confine your Lab inside your car. If your Lab has reached the point in her training where she chews only her chew toys, your best option is the doggy seatbelt. Available in pet stores and pet supply catalogs, these harnesses have a loop on the back through which you thread the seatbelt/shoulderbelt of your car. Your Lab can sit, lie down or stand up on the back seat and still be safe in a fender-bender.
If your Lab still chews, follow the training advice in Chapter 11 to teach your Lab what to chew and what not to chew. Seatbelts, of course, are in that not-to-chew category. Meanwhile, your pup should be secured in her doggy den while riding in your vehicle. Make sure the crate is secured to the vehicle with the seatbelt or by some other means so that it doesn’t become a missile in your car in the case of an accident. The doggy den should be just the right size for your pup: big enough for her to stand up, turn around, and lie down in, but not so big that she gets thrown around every time you turn a corner.
Taking Family Vacations with Your Lab
When you brought home your Lab, you did so with the intention of making her a part of your family. You include her in your daily routine, so why not bring her along on the family vacation? She is family, right? Although we understand that not every vacation is suitable for dogs, we hope that you’ll try to make your family vacations Lab-friendly whenever possible so you can bring your dog along. She wants to be with you, and the whole family will have a great time if your Lab is well-trained and well-behaved (as yours certainly is or soon will be — see Part III).
Labs add a special quality to a family vacation. Many people who wouldn’t normally talk to a stranger on the road will warm up and strike up a conversation with you when they see your Lab. You’ll get the chance to meet fellow Lab lovers and dog lovers wherever you go, and you just may forge some lasting friendships.
If you’re a single person with a Lab, the enjoyment of traveling can be en-hanced by having a buddy with whom to share your vacation. People won’t think twice if you discuss things with your Lab — at least not other dog lovers! (“Just look at that spectacular view, Skippy!”) Your Lab can also keep you safe from people with less than good intentions, too. Nonetheless, use common sense and caution when traveling alone with your Lab.
Success is in the planning
Labs are creatures of routine, and your Lab will have the same needs and will prefer the same schedule on the road as she has at home. Of course, your vacation schedule can’t exactly mirror your schedule at home; otherwise, why take a vacation? But you can still plan to feed your dog and take her outside for potty breaks at the same times each day. If your dog normally sleeps in her doggy den, bring it along so that she can feel secure at night. If she normally sleeps with you, don’t suddenly banish her.
You’ll need to be prepared for emergencies. What if your dog gets sick? Be prepared to find a veterinarian in a strange area. Don’t forget to take along your canine first-aid kit.
Part of the fun of a vacation is the planning. With a Lab, you may have a little more planning, but that just adds a little more fun! Enjoy the process.
Vacation checklist
A buckle collar complete with readable identification tags and a license and a tag showing your dog has a current rabies vaccine. Make sure your dog is wearing this at all times.
An extra set of car keys. If you have to leave your dog in the car in very hot or very cold weather, you can leave the car running with the air conditioning or the heat on and still keep the car locked. Still, don’t leave your dog unless you absolutely have to — the car could stall, which would mean that the air conditioning wouldn’t work, and your Lab could die in just a few minutes.
At least two gallons of water from home. Give only this water to your dog.
A water bowl. The kinds that have a weighted bottom or that are heavy enough not to spill are good for in-the-car (or minivan or motorhome) thirst quenching. Or teach her how to drink out of a sports bottle or squirt gun.
The doggy den and, if your dog is able to keep from chewing up your car, a seatbelt harness.
Enough dog food for the trip, plus some extra in case of spills or other mishaps.
A canine first-aid kit.
A chew toy or two.
Something to retrieve. Hey, it’s your dog’s vacation, too — she should be able to have some good fun!
An extra collar and an extra leash, just in case.
A retractable leash (also called a Flexi-lead) for safe romping.
Any medicine and/or vitamins that your dog requires. Don’t forget to keep your dog on her schedule of flea/tick control and heartworm pills (those little critters don’t take vacations).
Grooming supplies. Keep your grooming routine the same, even when on vacation. Bring along the brush, nail clippers, flea comb, toothbrush, and so on.
Old towels, blankets, and other clean-up items in case your Lab romps right into a muddy river, for example, and then is ready to bounce right back into your nice, new, clean minivan.
Plastic bags and paper towels (or poop scoop) to clean up after your dog.
This book! We’d love to join you on your vacation and are glad to serve as a friendly reminder of how to manage your dog in any situation.
A health certificate, if you’re crossing state lines.
Finding dog-friendly lodging
Some people like to plan every aspect of their vacations before they ever step foot out the front door. If this is you, you’ll be in a good position to arrange for dog-friendly, on-the-road lodging. If you like to see how far you can get each day and don’t like to plan the journey too strictly (if you have small children, for example, you probably know that you can’t plan too rigidly), you may find it a challenge to find dog-friendly lodging at the last minute.
It can be very frustrating looking for a motel — any motel — that takes dogs when it is late at night and you’re tired and irritable. You can beg, you can plead, you can explain about the doggy den, you can even perform a training demonstration to the hotel management, but some of them won’t budge (the old scrooges!).
When you find a great place that’s happy to take well-behaved dogs, make a note of it and file it away in a place you’ll be able to find later. If you compile your own list of dog-friendly lodging, you’ll find it becomes a great resource both to your own family for future vacations and to your dog-owning friends who happen to mention, “Do you know where we could stay in Atlanta that would take our dog?”
Dog-friendly vacation resources
Over the past few years, more and more books have been written to provide information that makes it easier for you to take your Lab on vacation with you. The Internet is another good source of information for dog-friendly vacations, and several publications exist that keep you apprised of the latest information for successful family vacations with your dog.
If you’re going to spend some time in a particular location, contact the local chamber of commerce and ask for any information they have about dog-friendly resources in their area: lodging, parks, and other tourist attractions that allow dogs, for example, as well as a list of local vets. They should be able to provide you with the information you need.
Air travel
Traveling by air? Leave your dog at home unless you can’t avoid taking her along. Dogs who are too big to fit in a crate under the passenger seat (that means your Lab) have to ride in the cargo area of the plane. There’s no heat and no air conditioning in cargo, and some dogs die during air travel, usually due to overheating when flights are delayed.
Make a reservation (there will be a fee) and confirm it. Heck, confirm it twice.
Take direct flights only. Transfers greatly increase the chances of something going wrong.
Don’t put your Lab into her airline-approved crate until absolutely necessary, and be sure to take her for a potty break just before you put her in.
Make sure your Lab’s bedding, food bowl, and water bowls are secured. Freeze one water bowl so that the water doesn’t spill and she’ll have access to it during the flight.
Stay with your Lab until the last minute, and then take her to the gate yourself and have her checked through there.
Put a big sign on the crate that says “Hi, I’m Buddy” (or whatever your Lab’s name is). Not only will airline personnel be more likely to stop and say hello to the dog, but it’s a nice (if not very subtle) reminder that the “baggage” in this particular crate is alive and very important.
Go immediately to the baggage area yourself after the flight to pick her up. Don’t be afraid of annoying the airline staff just a little if they won’t let you get your dog. Get her as soon as possible!
Chances are, your Lab will be fine, and when you have to fly with your Lab, well, you have to fly. But in general, we recommend that any vacation on which your Lab accompanies you be a driving vacation. If you have to fly, leave your Lab at home and hire someone to stay in your house or drop in a few times a day.
Making Arrangements When Your Lab Absolutely Can’t Join You
Yes, we understand. Sometimes your Lab absolutely can’t come. Maybe it’s a business trip, a ski trip, or a vacation that will be primarily indoors in a place that doesn’t allow dogs. Maybe you have to take a long plane trip and don’t want to risk stowing your beloved Lab in the cargo hold. Maybe you’re going overseas. Whatever the reason, if your Lab can’t join you, that’s okay. She’ll probably miss you and wonder where you went, but you can make her stay at home as comfortable and normal as possible. And boy, will she be glad to see you when you get home! Nothing beats coming home from a vacation to a buddy who is overjoyed to see you. (Watch out for that tail because it’ll be wagging like there’s no tomorrow!)
If you do leave your Lab, you’re responsible for making sure she has proper care in your absence. You can take care of her needs in several ways: by hiring a pet sitter, by boarding her in a kennel, or by leaving her with a friend.
Pet sitters
Hiring a pet sitter is a great solution for when you must leave your Lab at home. She can stay in her familiar environment, and although you’ll be gone, everything else will be the same. Pet sitting is a booming business these days, so you probably won’t have any problem finding a pet sitter. Although you can always hire a trusted friend or neighbor, a professional pet sitter has a reputation to maintain and a business to run, so he or she can probably be trusted to do a great job. Just in case, however, interview potential pet sitters before you hire them and ask the following questions (based on Pet Sitter International’s Recommended Quality Standards for Excellence in Pet Sitting):
How much experience do you have?
Many pet sitters are also or were previously animal professionals, such as veterinary technicians or trainers. Also ask how long the pet sitter has been pet sitting. Knowledge and skill come with experience.
Can you provide references? Don’t just accept the references — check them. You’ll be glad you did. Personal referrals from friends who have already used a pet sitter and had a good experience are the best way to find a good pet sitter.
Are you bonded and insured? Pet sitters should be bonded to protect you against theft and insured for liability protection. Insurance is one of the benefits of membership in a professional pet-sitting organization such as Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Although membership in a professional organization and being bonded and insured doesn’t guarantee quality of service, it does show that your pet sitter is serious about his or her profession.
Do you provide written literature describing your services and fees? What about a service contract?
Having everything in writing protects both you and the pet sitter from misunderstandings about fees and duties. Make sure your contract describes everything you expect from the pet sitter.
What do you need to know about my Lab?
You probably already know the answer to this question. The pet sitter must have contact information if he or she needs to reach you and phone numbers for your vet, an emergency pet care facility, and a poison control center. The pet sitter also needs to know any medical condition your dog has; how to access the canine first-aid kit (see Chapter 6); your dog’s name, age, and routine; what she eats and when; where your dog sleeps; a description of her favorite toys and activities; the location of her leash; and any other personal things about her that would improve her care. Ask this question to reassure yourself that your pet sitter is ready to find the answers to these questions; your pet sitter may even come up with things you wouldn’t have considered.
Do you have a veterinarian on call for emergencies?
Of course you will want to provide your pet sitter with contact information for your own veterinarian, but in the event that your veterinarian can’t be reached in an emergency, a good pet sitter should have a reliable backup plan.
Do you keep regular office hours? Are you easy to find?
Because many pet sitters work at their business full-time, they are often out and about, walking dogs and petting cats. Most pet sitters carry a pager or have an answering machine and return your calls promptly, at least by the end of the day. How easy was it to get a hold of your pet sitter to schedule this interview? You may want to try calling him or her after the interview to confirm the day you’ll be leaving. This gives you one more chance to be reassured that your pet sitter is responsible enough to call you back in a timely manner.
What crime-deterrent precautions do you take?
Part of the benefit of having someone watch your pet is having someone watch your home. Pet sitters are trained to make your house looked lived-in so that would-be thieves won’t pick your house as the one that is obviously empty. Careless actions (leaving doors unlocked or windows open) or disclosures (chatting with the neighbors about your fantastic vacation in the Bahamas) by an irresponsible pet sitter could signal that your house is vulnerable. Most pet sitters take in mail and newspapers and turn lights on at dusk and off in the morning.
Are you aware of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to animal care? Laws differ depending on where you live. For his or her own protection and yours, your pet sitter should know the relevant laws. (It wouldn’t hurt for you to brush up on them, too. Call your local city or county government to find out who legislates the relevant laws in your area or get information on specific state and local laws on the Internet at www.piperinfo.com/state/index.cfm.)
What’s your policy if you get sick or the weather prohibits you from getting to my house?
A good pet sitter has a contingency plan in the event that he or she can’t make it to your house for any reason. Many sitters have other good pet sitter contacts they can depend on to step in. If you have neighbors or friends you trust, give the sitter those phone numbers. A friendly neighbor will probably be glad to trudge across the yard in a blizzard to feed your Lab if the pet sitter is snowbound.
Some pet sitters will live in your house while you’re away, so getting to your home won’t be a problem.
Will you call to confirm I’ve arrived home?
You may have every intention of getting home on time, but sometimes the unavoidable occurs. You may end up stranded in an airport where a pet sitter can’t return your call to his or her pager. Your pet sitter should confirm that you’re home, and if you aren’t, should make sure your pets are taken care of until your return.
Do you provide a service rating form?
Good pet sitters are always trying to improve their service. A service rating form allows them to recognize areas in which they may do better next time. It also helps them to see what aspects of their service are particularly appreciated. (When filling out a service rating form, don’t forget to mention the good things as well as the things you think can be improved.)
This process may seem like a lot of work, but would you do any less in hiring someone to watch your children when you leave town? Don’t take chances with your Lab. Make sure she has the best of care so you can truly enjoy your vacation.
Boarding kennels
Another option is to take your Lab to a boarding kennel. You can find quite a range in the quality of boarding kennels, so always check out the kennel and ask for a tour well before your date of departure. If your Lab has to be away from her home, make sure she gets a nice little vacation of her own. Some kennels offer extra play time, activities, and walks for your Lab. Some have play areas and offer luxurious grooming services. Some are even called doggy spas and doggy resorts.
A friend indeed
No matter how experienced the pet sitter, some people aren’t comfortable leaving their pets with someone they don’t know. If you have a friend or neighbor you can trust, consider having him stay in your house while you are away. Or have your Lab stay at your friend’s house.
If your friend can’t stay at your house and your Lab can’t stay with him, he could stop in several times a day to spend time with your Lab. Just be sure your friend is responsible and will take the time to keep your Lab company. If you choose someone your Lab already knows and who has a good relationship with your Lab, that’s certainly ideal. Your Lab will probably do very well while you’re away. Make sure you pay your friend for the service. Your Lab and your friend are both worth it!
Preparing your pet
You can prepare your pet for her time away from you by making sure she will be well cared for, comfortably confined, and able to stick as closely as possible to her regular routine. Do lots of positive training and give her an adequate amount of exercise just before you leave, and then let her spend some time in her doggy den resting before you go out the door. This is a good time to get suitcases into the car, which is something that makes many dogs nervous — they know something’s up.
If you feel guilty about leaving such that you shower your Lab with excessive attention, it will be an even bigger shock to her when you leave. If you want to spend lots of time with her, do it when you get back. Before you leave, keep things as normal as possible. Don’t make a big deal about leaving, or she’ll think there must be something to worry about. Act normally, don’t disrupt your dog’s routine on the day you leave, and tell her good-bye matter-of-factly, as if you’re going off to work. Then leave without incident. If you trust the person who will care for your dog and know that you have taken all possible precautions, relax and enjoy your vacation. Your Lab will be fine.