Planning to hit the road with your four legged friend this holiday season? Wev’e packed our favourite travel tips and essential gear recommendations into one handy guide!
Taking your dog along can make the family vacation more fun for everyone, if you plan carefully. And who wants to leave their best friend behind anyway? Enjoying what the world has to offer is always better together. 
First things first
Bring your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup before going on an extended trip. This is especially important for traveling around New Zealand as some areas require specific vaccinations. Ask your veterinarian if your dog is in proper mental and physical shape to travel, especially if your dog has health issues or is a senior. Also check their current tick treatment and whether there might be any wildlife around your destination you might need to prepare your dog for before heading out.
Be prepared for an emergency. No one wants their dog to be in trouble so a little bit of preparation can be helpful and avoids unnecessary stress while you are on holiday together.
Find the number of the nearest 24-hour veterinary emergency hospital and program it into your phone, along with the office and emergency number for your regular veterinarian (in case the veterinarians need to speak with each other). That way, if there’s a situation where your dog needs medical attention, you’ll have the necessary information on hand. If you are heading out on a camping trip in the bush, make sure to pack a dog first aid kit.
Traveling
Most dogs are fine with car travel in general. However, if you are driving longer distances than usual, make sure to take frequent potty breaks. Everyone in the car can stretch their legs and have a cuppa before moving on. Also make sure to offer water regularly: Think about how much you naturally drink while being on the road? Your dog gets thirsty too, especially during summer. Our Backcountry Travel Bowl comes in super handy for a quick refreshment!
If your dog can be a bit unsettled in the car, a car tether goes a long way of keeping him contained and safe. Your dog knows that something special is about to happen when you pack your bags and car so naturally he will be excited to see what you have planned! A car tether is not only keeping your dog safe but helps avoid unnecessary distraction while you are driving.
It is also recommended to never leave your dog in the car on his own. It can go from a comfortable temperatures to boiling hot within a matter of minutes which can be life threatening for your dog. You should also never let your dog ride in the back of an open truck.
Dog Identification
As you are going to enjoy some unfamiliar areas, make sure your dog always has proper identification on him. In the event that your dog gets lost on your trip, you can increase the chances of recovery by making sure they can be properly identified and returned to you. Get your pup a Silicon Dog ID Tag and put all your contact information on the back of it. You can even add your campervan registration number if you are traveling in a motorhome.
Dog-Friendly Hotels and places to stay
You most likely have already found a suitable place to spend the night which is dog friendly and welcomes you and your pup. However, have a look at dog friendly walks and restaurants too! Make a list of places where you can bring your dog for breakfast or dinner so he does not have to stay alone in the hotel room. Some hotels do not allow this and it might be frightening for your dog to be left behind in an unfamiliar place.Camping
Who doesn’t enjoy a camping trip with their best mate? Many campgrounds are dog friendly and have dedicated areas where you are welcome to camp. Make sure to be respectful of your neighbours and always ensure your dog is under your supervision. Our Basecamp Zipline is a huge help here and lets you build up camp or cook dinner while your dog can have a sniff around without getting lost.
Food
Rule of thumb: Always bring more than what you might need. You never know what happens on your trip and running out of your dog’s favourite meals might be stressful. Weigh the amount of food and calculate the days you are on the road (give or take a couple more) and pack it all nice and neat in our Dog Food Travel Bags! It will use up less space in your boot and is safe for hungry noses who prefer to help themselves to a second breakfast.
Gear
We recommend a Traffic Handle Leash for urban city tours and a Handsfree Leash when hitting the big trails. Also, always pack a collar as you go to gear and a harness for longer walks and hikes. Having 2 complete sets gives you peace of mind should you accidentally leave something behind at your campsite or hotel room. It is also handy to have a LED Light on your dog as it can get very dark when you are staying at a campsite.
If the weather looks a bit uncertain where you are heading, you might want to pack a raincoat for your dog. It is going to keep your dog dry, your car clean and will also make the housekeeper's job a bit easier.
