If you love your pup like I love mine, then it's just not a family vacation without him there. But how do take Fido along with you without it turning into an incident of Homeward Bound II? It's not as tough as you might think!

How To Take Pooch On Vacation

BatesCabins (http://www.batescabins.com/) is about smoky Mountain Cabin Rentals.

My nine-month-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi and I are virtually inseparable. In fact, I recently had to leave town for a brief stint and missed him almost as much as my spouse! Sure, it might sound strange to some, but I know there are animal lovers out there that understand completely.

If you and pooch are virtually joined at the flank, you can’t imagine a family vacation without him or her. That’s why ideas of beach resorts and amusement park excursions make you flinch. So how do plan the perfect vacation–one that includes Fido and Fifi?

Well, allow me to first discuss the preparation that must occur before you take your pup anywhere besides the local dog park.

You MUST train your dog up before even considering taking him or her to an airport or to an open area where he or she might escape. Basic commands like “come,” “stay,” “down,” and “settle down” absolutely need to be mastered before your trip.

While I cannot explain the array of training techniques necessary for this, I can recommend that you read through a few basic training books and/or take obedience classes at your local pet store, vet, animal shelter, etc.

These will be invaluable during a new experience, especially if you have a high-energy pet that is apt to run after a skunk or squirrel (or bear) just because s/he has never seen (or smelled) one before.

Exploring the great outdoors is probably the most pet-friendly vacation you can take, though there are many directories available online of pet-approved lodgings, along with beaches, restaurants, and activities where your pooch is free to accompany you.

Renting a cabin is often perfect for the pup, as it allows everyone to have their own space–as opposed to crowding the family into a tent or two. Many cabins are openly dog-friendly, and they often do not require a large “pet deposit” like other rental properties do.

When you do take your dog out into the woods, you will need at least two different leashes. It is best to keep him/her on a long retractable leash while you are out exploring. You should avoid letting him/her roam off-leash, even if s/he seems to be an obedient, calm dog. You just don’t know what could set him off running!

Then you will want to have what we call a “drag lead”–this is a plain old leash that hooks to his collar and has a loop on the end. This should be on the long side so that you can hitch him to a tree branch if necessary.

When you are on any kind of trip, don’t forget favorite treats, squeak toys, and other goodies to lure him back if he does run off.

You may also like to see the following articles:

• Vacations Are Great Ways to Connect With Family

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