5 reasons you should bring your dog on your next family holiday

According to recent research from the Australian Veterinary Association, Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world and an increasing number of Australian families are choosing to travel with their four-legged family members.

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The great news is that times are changing and now you don’t need to look too hard to find pet friendly restaurants, activities and hotels.

If you love to travel but hate leaving Fido behind here are five reasons that might convince you to include him on your next trip:

1) Dogs are an important part of the family

Lets face it, that unconditional love between your pet and yourself can’t be beat. The status of dogs is changing and they are becoming more important as family members.

Dogs not only teach kids about taking care of someone else and responsibility, but are the perfect play buddy too.

Dogs have the special quality to bring all the family together.

2) Loveable company

Dogs are always willing to listen and give you affection. Dogs are well known for their loyalty which means they will always be happy to keep you company no matter what your plans are for the day. If your family holiday involves long bushwalks, fun at the beach or simply relaxing under a tree your dog will be excited to do what ever you want.

In addition to keeping you company, your pet will help you feel safer.

Dogs are great personal security guards, they alert you when someone is nearing the front door and will protect you when you are on the streets.

3) A dog is a great icebreaker

Walking your dog is a fantastic way to meet friendly locals.

By nature dogs use their sense of smell to make friends, so they will bring their owners physically closer providing a great opportunity to start a friendly conversation.

Many kids love dogs, so it will also be a great chance for your own kids to make new friends with a little help from your pet.

4) Your dog will help you discover new places

Travelling with your dog forces you to explore places you probably wouldn’t even consider otherwise.

When travelling with your pet the dynamics of the trip changes, you focus more on activities such as visiting parks, pet friendly beaches and quiet neighbourhoods. Your dog will take you and your family off-the-beaten track to discover pet friendly activities and restaurants everywhere you go.

5) Your dog will keep you active

When you are in holiday mode things can really get slow and you run the risk of laziness taking over your family holiday.

The good news is that dogs love their routine, so you will have to get up and go for a walk at least twice a day.

Besides the toilet walks your furry friend will find a way to motivate you and the rest of your family to play with him.

Travelling with your dog does require a little bit more research and planning but it’s totally worth the effort. With the right information and enough planning you’ll realise that travelling with your dog is a rewarding experience for the whole family.

This complete guide to travelling with your pet in Australia is a great start to learn about everything from airline requirements to tips from the pet experts including Dr Katrina Warren.

Have you travelled with your pet before? Do you have any tips or great places to visit? Please SHARE in the comments below.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

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26 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 04 Nov 2021
    12:30 pm
No dog here but I do have 2 cats (both rescues) and sadly one cat is so scared of people that I cant put him catteries or have anyone come in to look after him as he wont eat. We went away for a week once and found we cant do that. He was so skinny when we came home

- - curlytops said
  - 07 Mar 2016
    9:38 am
Im looking after my friends 2 dogs next week!

- - jaymarie12 said
  - 29 Feb 2016
    11:21 pm
I loved reading this! love that others think this!

- - coastalkaryn said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    5:40 pm
11 days until we get our new puppy, I cannot wait!!

- - mom156049 said
  - 22 Feb 2016
    9:22 am
My dog has always gone everywhere with me. If he can’t come, I tend not to go. It is great that so many more places are accepting of pets these days and a lot of cafes now put water dishes out to show dogs are welcome at the outside tables

- - coastalkaryn said
  - 20 Feb 2016
    9:46 am
two more weeks and we pick up our precious puppy from the airport – so so excited!!

- - risshabear said
  - 22 Jan 2016
    4:52 pm
Ooh this is a great idea! It’s so sad to think of how the poor posts are doing in cages on holidays

- - mossysmum said
  - 19 Jan 2016
    9:02 pm
Would you leave you children behind when you go on a family trip?? Thats the same as your dog.. or thats what i think anyway. Our dog is family. He goes where we go.

- - mom64736 said
  - 19 Jan 2016
    1:21 am
I’d prefer people leave their dogs at home. Often when I go on holidays and stay in caravan parks or other places dogs are not properly supervised and there are often issues. Of course there are also great dog owners who do the right thing. But with kids, I just don’t like holidaying around other people’s dogs.

- - rachelvk said
  - 15 Jan 2016
    2:49 pm
My parents always bring their dog when we go on family holidays. We love having him with us.

- - pakeko said
  - 14 Jan 2016
    8:38 pm
We get a dog sitter in so much eaier than finding places that take dogs

- - rovermum said
  - 14 Jan 2016
    10:41 am
We’ve never travelled with our dog before. He goes to a dogsitter where he is treated as part of the family and gets to spend time with their dogs too. Interestingly, just returned from a holiday in Adelaide and I couldn’t believe how many dogs were on the beach (on and off leash). It made me miss my dog so much, but made me think they have far more relaxed laws there.

- - mom101628 said
  - 13 Jan 2016
    10:57 pm
It’s great to take you dog with you when you travel – you just have to make sure you can stay in dog/pet friendly parks and stay outside National Parks. Many of my friends travel with their pets, and they all enjoy their time together.
- mom93821 replied
  
  17 Jan 2016 , 6:26 am
  Good and important point – I love dogs, but we have to protect our National Parks.
- - ella12 said
  - 13 Jan 2016
    9:02 pm
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

- - linaianna said
  - 13 Jan 2016
    8:39 pm
Agree with this 100% thanks for sharing

- - june11 said
  - 11 Jan 2016
    10:24 pm
It teaches the kids that they have responsibilities for their dog or other pet even when they are on holidays. (one of my Aunties used to take her cat with her).
It teaches them there are places you can or cannot take pets. The bond between the dog and child isn’t broken during a holiday. No fretting. When meeting other people with dogs, you must ensure that your child ask to pat the dogs before attempting to do so. Many make the mistake of patting the dog on the head first. A lot feel threatened by something coming down on their head….or back that they haven’t seen properly first. I was told by 2 obedience trainers at different times and places that a dog should be allowed to sniff the palm or your hand first.

- - Nas01 said
  - 10 Jan 2016
    12:16 am
We don’t have a dig but these are great reasons to take pooch on holiday with you.

- - coastalkaryn said
  - 09 Jan 2016
    8:28 pm
love all five, thanks!

- - mom90758 said
  - 09 Jan 2016
    2:32 pm
Like mum4107 says, the stayz website is awesome when you look for pet friendly accommodations.
http://www.stayz.com.au/pet-friendly-accommodation?gclid=CNfZru7km8oCFQwnvQodIJUHGQ
During the last 3 years we always went on holiday with our 3-years old Labrador Retriever. He’s so happy to come, even if we need to let him feel comfortable in the new place once we arrive. Sometimes it takes a while. But being with us.. that’s what he likes most. So surely worth all the efforts. It’s just a pity that so often there are restrictions here in WA to places where to bring him, and so many national parks are off-limit. We are going on holiday on Monday and of course the dog comes with us!
- mom93821 replied
  
  16 Jan 2016 , 6:20 pm
  Good point – check places very carefully as there are restrictions and limits to pets too.
  - mom90758 replied
    
    17 Jan 2016 , 5:31 pm
    
    There are a lot indeed. We came back from our holiday. Buddy was so happy. We were in a farm, and being around sheep and calves was just so special to him!!
- - mom94125 said
  - 09 Jan 2016
    1:23 pm
yeah it is true that people are considering their pets as family members! especially how they spend years growing up with the family. they teach the kids a lot!
- mom94125 replied
  
  11 Jan 2016 , 12:16 pm
  it also saves having to get a dogsitter