34 Building Better Trainers Through Education

FEATURE | VACATIONING WITH YOUR DOG

Bark and Ride: The Benefits of Vacationing with Your Dog By Rachel Brix, CPDT-KA

Since taking my first vacation with my dog Percy, 17 years ago, things have really changed in pet travel. When I called

to make a reservation, the perplexed cabin rental owner in upper Michigan had asked “You what? You want to bring your dog? I guess that would be okay. Is she housebroken?” Nowadays, pet-friendly lodging is commonplace in most cities and towns.

However, some things haven’t changed; like the fun my dogs and I have hiking or ambling around downtown areas, exploring in the car (windows down, of course) and picnicking. But now we can duck into a dog-friendly eatery or shop or

check out the local dog park. During good weather months, many places host dog-friendly and even dog-centered events we can plan to attend. Another thing that hasn’t changed is the various and constant opportunities to reinforce my dogs’ good behaviors and learn new ones. As trainers, we know the more “real world” experiences we give our dogs the more comfortable they’ll be in that world and adapt learned behaviors to new experiences. Many of these behaviors are difficult to replicate in the average group or individual dog training class, like exposure to strangers, crowds and city noises. Positive reinforcement paired with these types of stimuli also provides a good foundation for therapy training or Canine Good Citizen certification. And it gives us a chance to try out new techniques to improve our own training strategies with clients.

Also, the more people who are exposed to happy, healthy and

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The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Summer 2017 35

FEATURE | VACATIONING WITH YOUR DOG

friendly dogs the better. Many people, especially other dog parents, will stop to pet my dogs, which affords great opportunities to reinforce polite greeting behaviors. Essentially we become walking advertisements for advocating positive reinforcement training, dog-human relationships and dog welfare in general. Especially if we have a dog that is one of the breeds often labeled as “dangerous,” we can help dispel stigmas and promote healthy attitudes toward all dogs.

But I must say, the best thing that hasn’t changed is the strengthening of our bond when we travel. It allows special time for us to share fun experiences, do things we can’t do in our own neck of the woods and get a charge out of old hobbies or find new ones. Enjoying new places with my dogs also helps me be a better trainer and a better dog mom. I certainly learned a lot about Percy on our trips. She enjoyed climbing on things: stumps, large rocks, even picnic tables. She loved to wade in the lake and bite the waves that rolled into shore, but absolutely did not like to swim. She loved riding open air trolleys and on boats and ferries, the wind filling her nostrils. And I probably never would have taken up bike riding with her had I not given it a go on one of our trips. These experiences helped me enrich her life and our life together.

In today’s booming pet market, many cities and states have expanded their dog-friendliness. For example, Arkansas increased state park pet-friendly lodging by 10 percent in 2016. Besides camping or cabining, you and your pooch can take a cruise, attend a learning camp (think summer camp for dogs!) or plan an itinerary that takes you on a classic road trip with several dog-friendly destination pit stops along the way. You can check out BringFido.com or GoPetFriendly.com and click on road-trip-planner for helpful planning tips.

Putting some thought into packing the doggie duffel bag is essential to a smooth road trip:

• Enough dog food for the trip and a little extra in case of delays or snafus• Any medications your dog is taking• Food and water bowls (for first trips I recommend the ones she’s used to)• Copies of current vaccination information • Current pet tags and correctly fitting collar/harness• 2 leashes (one short, one long)• Favorite toys• Your dog’s bedding/pillows/blankets • Lots of water in easily accessible containers • Plenty of dog waste bags• Pet car safety restraints and crate

Also, make sure to have emergency numbers for your vet and a vet in the areas of your travels in case of emergencies. And don’t forget to check with your lodging and other pit stops regarding pet policies, pet fees and vaccination requirements.

Traveling with dogs has changed over the past two decades – for the better. As trainers, dog parents, dog advocates and dog lovers, vacationing with our dogs helps us reinforce our vocation, renew our commitment to our profession and rejuvenate our bond with our dogs. Not a bad way to spend a week off.

Rachel Brix has been a lead trainer at Petco and managed two shelters. For more information, please visit page 6 for our contributors.

Clockwise from top: The author and Percy hiking in Michigan; enjoying Lake Michigan; cruising Table Rock Lake in Missouri and co-piloting a trip to Dog Fest in Springfield, Missouri. Courtesy photos from Rachel Brix