We’ve Arrived

We’re all going on a summer holiday

There are plenty of dog friendly holiday cottages and hotels throughout the UK and part of the excitement of visiting a new area is the chance to explore new surroundings and enjoy new experiences. The last thing you want is a trip to the Vet, but with a little planning you can all have a lovely time.

Woohoo you have arrived!

Spend a little time researching and familiarising yourself with your new environment to make sure that you all get the most out of your holiday.

Look at your new surroundings from your dog’s viewpoint
Identify any potential hazards for your dog such as:
Fences with gaps your dog could squeeze out of.
Bins and rubbish storage areas that your dog can access.
Sharp items that your dog could get caught on – or eat….we are talking Labradors!
If the owner has requested that dogs are kept in specific areas of the property, check these areas because your dogs may behave differently in new and unusual places, so remove any items the dog could get tangled in or chew
Cleaning chemicals.
Make sure tablets and medications are unpacked and stored away out of your dogs reach, especially during the excitement of arrival and unpacking.
A roaring log fire is very inviting to all of us after a long day walking but make sure you use a fire guard and never leave your dog unattended when the fire is lit. And make sure that your dog’s bed is kept as far away from the fire as possible.
Research the local walks
Walking is what many of us go on holiday to do and, whilst it is wonderful to see your dog running free and having fun, remember that a new area may have hazards and dangers that you and your dog are not familiar with.
Keep dogs under control when walking coastal paths and do not allow them to go close to the cliff-top edge.
Don’t let your dog disturb livestock or wildlife.
Be aware of electric fences – a cold wet nose can get a nasty shock and may panic and run off
Make sure that you are familiar with the Countryside Code which includes particular advice for dog owners you can read it here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code-advice-for-countryside-visitors)
Never leave your dog in the car in warmer weather
There is always publicity about dogs dying in hot cars BUT a cool sea breeze can mislead you into thinking it is cooler than it really is, so don’t EVER leave dogs in cars during the warmer months
A day at the beach
Probably something that every Labrador dreams of……but take a little bit of care and you’ll have some special memories
Keep your eyes open for sharp objects that have been washed up.
Don’t eat any unknown items such as picnics leftovers or rotten fish or seaweed or even jellyfish – even Labradors can have upset stomachs!
Be aware of tides and currents – exercise the same caution with your dog as you would yourself.
Take your own water for your dog – a thirsty dog may drink something from a pond or lake that disagrees with the
Labradors love to swim but be careful when letting them jump into water – you really don’t know what might be lurking under the surface!