Holidays are definitely the best time of the year for all of us: we can relax, rest, travel and finally dedicate some quality time to our beloved “Fido”.

When we decide to travel with our pet, we have to keep in mind a few factors that will surely make the entire journey more pleasant and relaxing, for both our beloved companions and us as well. Although we might think our dogs are as happy as we are when travelling, we should considerate they have their own needs and emotional states: unknown environments can be very stressful for our pets, especially it they are not used to travel.

Our suggestion is to always try to help them when they are not at ease, not to force or bother them if they look either frighten or tired. When they are finally resting after an intense day outside, do not allow other people, children and/or dogs to interact with them: your pets deserve a moment of total relax, with no “social activities”. If your dog suddenly misbehaves, try not to punish him because the new environment and the anger of the owner as well create a sense of loss which might worsen the situation.

If you are planning to travel during the summer, please be very carful with temperatures: dogs suffer temperatures much more than humans and it is critical to protect them from excess sun exposure. Give them water and allow them to cool off and rest whenever they need it. Avoid the hottest hours of the day and too crowded places as well: they could be a nightmare for your little pet.

In conclusion, before planning a vacation with your four-legged friend, please remember that he is a traveler as much as you. His special needs should also be considered: he loves to stay with you but if he could decide by himself he would definitely chose a big and green park to run and play with you rather than visiting monuments and museums.