My OH and I are getting married in a few weeks and have just booked our honeymoon. Rather than the luxurious beach holiday sipping cocktails we envisaged it's turned out to be a trudge through the mud with our new fur baby in the lakes. I didn't feel ready to leave him in kennels yet and family members weren't keen to look after him for an extended period due to him being "off his head" as my dad so charmingly refers to my little angel. What I'm concerned about is Stanley didn't settle very well when he first moved in with us so he might not settle in our cottage. He'll go to my parents or my OH's parents no problem, stay over night. His day care place said he settled there straight away but I don't want to stress him out. We'll be there so I'm hoping he should be ok but what do you think? I just don't want him to start barking again and ideally we would like to be able to go out for a couple of nice meals on our own. We're taking his crate and his bed etc so everything will be familiar. Also - I've never been away with a dog before. Is there any essential items I need to take? Thanks!
That's so nice! Quinn has trouble settling at a new place for the first couple of nights - especially if there is water close by (she will not go to sleep and is up SO early wanting to go out). We pack tons of chews (bully sticks are the easiest to travel with I find) and kongs to help her settle. We bring a long line/rope in case dogs aren't allowed off leash and her own bedding and old towels. She is usually so tired after the first couple of days away, that she settles back into her routine and is fast asleep even earlier than usual. Have fun!
Congratulations! Towels, lots and lots of towels for drying soggy doggy! Even in dog friendly places they expect you to leave it as you found it.
Aw, congratulations, and it sounds like a LOVELY honeymoon! We didn't have our dogs when we got married; we did the completely stereotypical thing of starting our family a year after getting hitched I'm sure Stanley will be fine, because you'll be there. When he first came to live with you, he didn't know you and his whole world had just been turned upside-down. It's completely different now he's settled. I agree with the lots of towels thing. I have one of these, which is fantastic, because it absorbs loads of water, then you wring it out and keep going! You can then rinse them out to use again next time. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Dog...8&qid=1473342115&sr=1-4&keywords=trixie+towel There are similar brands that do the same - I think a few members have Aquasorb ones. I'd still have a few other old towels, for getting mud off. Simple Solution would also be handy, just in case the change of scenery confuses him a bit.
I was worried Axel wouldn't settle when we brought him to our cabin a couple months ago but he did amazing. Probably helps that it's a new place and so many new smells, and lots of swimming, so he was pretty exhausted each day. I brought lots of bully sticks, for the car ride, and one for each day we were there. Lots of treats to work on recall while we were there because of all the extra space we had and distractions. One thing I wish I had brought was cleaning solution for his ears. Poor little guy ended up with two ear infections because he was in the lake for hours each day and I wasn't good enough at drying his ears apparently. I also brought his crate and all of his toys and a couple new toys. He will do great and you guys will have so much fun watching him and sharing this with him!!
That sounds like a great honeymoon. Over the years OH and I have been to the lakes quite often with our dogs and have had some lovely times. I think that you have the right idea taking familiar things with him. You might also want to leave the radio on low to mask any noises when you go out. That seems to work quite well with some dogs. I hope that you have a wonderful time.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I think you are doing the smart thing by bringing his crate, bed and thinks familiar to him so he can be settled. Having you and your OH there as well will hopefully keep Stanley comfortable and he will adjust to the honeymoon cottage.
Congratulations! Stanley is a lucky boy. I have a suspicion he will be fine with his besties by his side. I found night time the biggest issue our first stay away but we did leave the crate door open LOL. Until we got fed up! I think you have had all the best suggestions. Hope you enjoy x
Congrats!!! We always take a couple of large throws or cotton blankets to put over beds or sofas (because our dog always expects to be able to lie on said furniture).
Very sensible taking his crate. We didn't with Tatze when we went to a dog friendly cottage with her and Gypsy. Gypsy had been de-penned at 6 months so was just fine, but Tatze found it really hard to settle without her crate and kept trying to get 9nto bed with us! ...
Yes, a couple large throws, lots of towels, dog chews, wet wipes. We first took Benson away when he was around 5 months. As long as they are crate trained it's all good! This is our first night in France on holiday last year...dogs enjoying a stop over in Cherbourg. We then went on to stay in a lovely gite
HAHA! Marcus trying to read with two Labs "killing each other" almost on top of him! Love Casper's face at 11s
Thanks everyone for your congratulations and advice! I've even managed to persuade our wedding venue to let him come for some photographs with us- he's become my baby far too much! You've put my mind at ease hopefully Stanley will be a good little lad (as good as he can be anyway ) Lots of towels and some throws have been added to the list of things to take!! That video is adorable, your dogs are beautiful!
Love the video @Beanwood @JenBainbridge congratulations, sounds like a lovely honeymoon to me. I've taken my girl away many many times and she isn't two years old yet. I've never had a problem with her settling and sleeping well in the holiday cottages (out and about being scared of seagulls, well that's another story ). I take her crate, bedding, towels and toys. I have the microfibres towels and find them real good. Ive also bought the ruff and tumble towelling drying coat and towelling throw. I always cover the sofa when we arrive with the throw just in case she gets on the sofa when she shouldn't
Hi and congratulations. I am sure Stanley will be fine as he will be with you. We took Bailey away when he was 14 weeks old, and I had nightmares about it beforehand as we were going to stay with my dad and step-mum (both dog lovers but very set in their ways). Bailey had the time of his life, totally spoilt by dad and step-mum, who fell for him hook line and sinker! We took his bed, toys, chews, towels, treats plus his own food and water bowls he uses at home rather than travel ones, his sleep toy and his bedtime blanket. OH asked if I was packing every item the dog had, and for once my case was not the biggest Bailey also behaved beautifully, slept like a log every night, didn't chew anything he shouldn't, and didn't break his house training either. Sure you will find Stanley will be a dream too. Hope your special day goes well
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding/marriage! I hope you'll share (if you're comfortable) some of the photos with Stanley. I do love pets in milestone photos
Another thought. Take some kind of spot cleaner for Stanley. Like cowboy magic green spot remover. If he were to roll in something when travelling or in someone else's house being able to do an emergency clean up is vital unless you have strong stomachs.
Roll of kitchen roll and spot cleaner and wet wipes are a good idea. I always take them with me when I go visiting it good for pups but equally good for leaky oldies
Homer's settled quite well in dog friendly Hotels and cottages. He's come along to many places with us. He settles well on the bed and makes himself at home on the sofa or chair. So extra chews, extra throws and towels will be useful. We have a canvas travel crate for him with is lighter and easier to travel with, unfortunately it doesn't fold up any smaller than a normal cage. In hotel rooms he does bark 'woof, woof' if he hears other people walking along the corridor so we do our best to distract him, and quieten him, but the hotels advertise as being dog friendly so I don't get too worried about it.
