Should I Take My Dog On Holiday With Me?

A dog is a part of the family just like anyone else, and in recent years more and more people are asking Should I Take My Dog On Holiday With Me?. It’s easy to see why people want to take their dogs on holiday with me, whether it’s for comfort or because they are always with you. More and more hotels and accommodation venues such as ourselves, now allow dogs to come along on holiday. With the UK currently at record number of dog owners and many of those are pandemic pets, a dog isn’t just the kennel animal it once was, many of them are pampered princes and princesses.

​​Leaving your dog with someone or even a kennel can be highly distressing for them, especially when it comes to days away from you or even a full week and it’s one of the reasons most people are not choosing to take their dogs on holiday with them. Whilst going abroad with your pet isn’t easy, if you’re planning a staycation, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider taking your dog with you. Keep reading below to find out some of the top reasons why people are now taking their dogs on holiday with them.

Would you leave your child at home or with someone else? (Ok, most of us would for the peace and quiet). But honestly if you’re planning a couples break or family holiday, then why not consider taking your dog with you. One of the most common reasons for people taking their dogs on holiday with them, is simply to keep the family together. If you’re used to having the dog around you all the time, then why should going away be any different. Just because you have your dog with you, doesn’t mean you’re restricted from doing things either, there are many dog friendly activities to do, from walks to parks and much more.

In addition to this, many dogs will happily chill in the car whilst you go shopping or you might even consider putting them in a local doggy day care, allowing you some time away from them, without leaving them for days on end. Family holidays are typically some of the most memorable and with your dog with you, it’s sure to make it feel much more wholesome. Keeping your family together on holiday will help both you and them, when you’re away from them you’re only going to feel anxious and it helps to relieve the stress from them as well.

You’d be surprised that most dog friendly accommodation options charge very little to have your dog come along with you and it likely won’t cost much more than you initially had in mind. In addition to this, by not taking them with you, you’ll likely have to put them in kennels or have someone look after them for you and that will cost money. And when you put them in kennels, you’ll also have to consider updating vaccinations such as Kennel Cough, as well as the kennel costs, which can prove costly when you start to tally it up.

By taking your dog on holiday with you, you could actually find you save money. When comparing the cost of kennels with what it actually costs to just take your dog with you, you’ll soon see which is the cheaper option. If you find you’re saving money as well, that just means you’ll have more spends for your holiday, whether it’s going out for a meal or enjoying some local shopping.

When you go on holiday it can easily become monotonous, whether you’re at the pub all the time or are finding yourself just staying in bed at whatever opportunity you have. Yes, we understand holidays are for relaxing but do you really just want to sit around all day doing nothing, or just eating and drinking? By taking your dog on holiday with you can enjoy a whole new adventure with them. One, they’ll be excited as it will be someone new to explore and lots of new scents to sniff out.

But, in all honesty, taking your dog with you ensures you’ll make the most of your time away. From exploring the local area with them to going on long walks in the country, the options are endless for activities to do with your pooch. And with many pubs and cafes now accepting dogs, you don’t have to worry about having them taken care of whilst you grab a drink and a bite to eat, they can come along too. We guarantee that when you take your dog on holiday with you it will be an adventure you won’t forget.

Just like anything, when it’s something different to the norm, you’ll feel stress and anxiety and not just you, but the dog as well. If you go away and put your dog in kennels and they aren’t used to being away from you, then it will likely cause them unnecessary stress and anxiety, which can have a lasting impact. Many people see it as just the holiday blues but dogs aren’t quick to forget and it could make it difficult in the future when you even just leave them for short periods of time.

When you take your dog on holiday with you, it will not only relieve your stress and worry about whether they are ok, whilst they aren’t with you, but it will relieve theirs as well. And although you might only be a few hours drive from home, a dog is a good stress reliever and comfort blanket, especially if you’ve had a bad day. They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but really it’s a family’s best friend, they’ll always be there to pick you up when you’re down, so don’t put them through the stress of kennels when you can just take them with you.

If you’re planning a staycation and are looking for somewhere that is dog friendly, then be sure to book with Hargate Hall. We are a dog friendly self catering venue and whilst we do have a few rules in place, such as keeping your dog on a lead whilst outside the room, they are more than welcome to come with you. Before booking just let us know your pooch will be joining you on your break away and we’ll be more than happy to accommodate you.