*This is a collaborative post.

Choosing to enjoy a staycation rather than going somewhere abroad has always been some people’s first choice, but now more than ever, it is becoming something that more and more people are looking at in a serious way. It’s great to take some time out away from work, perhaps to spend time with your family or just to chill by yourself, and if you can’t go to a far-flung destination (or you just don’t want to), then a staycation is a great alternative. 

It’s an even better idea if you have a dog that you don’t want to put into kennels or leave with a dog sitter or family member. If you’d rather have your pet with you (because, after all, a dog is considered a part of the family, more often than not), then how can you plan a staycation they’re going to love as much as you? Read on to find out. 

Image from Pixabay

Location 

The first thing you’re going to need to think about when it comes to planning your perfect staycation with your dog is the location. You’ll need to decide where you want to go, and this decision will have to be made with your four-legged friend in mind. A city break might be cool and exciting, but it’s not necessarily going to be great for your dog who won’t be able to go with you to all the places you intend to visit. 

The best thing to do when you are thinking of where to go on staycation is to research what activities and places there are for dogs. Find somewhere with plenty for you both to do, and you’ll find narrowing down the list is much easier. 

Accommodation 

Once you know where you want to go, you’ll need to ensure that there is some pet friendly accommodation to keep you both (or all, depending on how large a group of you there is). This may sound like a difficult thing to achieve, but there may be more hotels and bed and breakfasts and holiday cottages that take dogs around than you thought, so it’s always worth asking. If you can’t find anywhere, hiring a campervan and heading to a campsite could be a great alternative. 

If you do end up staying in a hotel that is happy to have dogs as well as human guests, you’ll need to check whether there is an extra charge for your dog, and which areas of the accommodation they are allowed in. Always follow the rules as this makes it easier for not only you to have a great time, but for future dog owners to find good accommodation too. 

The Journey 

After booking your staycation, you’ll need to get there. To make things totally safe, it’s a good idea to either use a special dog seatbelt and harness or to secure your pet in a crate (which is then itself secured within the boot space of the car). The dog will need to have access to fresh air, so never shut them in a boot that isn’t open to the rest of the car. 

As much as you might be happy to drive for many hours at a stretch, that won’t be the same for your dog, so you’ll have to factor in some rest stops along the way if you’ve got a long journey ahead of you. Bring snacks and plenty of water to keep them comfortable, and let them stop and stretch their legs regularly throughout the journey.