Taking dogs on holiday in summer

One of my little dogs has terminal cancer and all she wants to do is to sit outside and watch the world go by. She takes herself into the barn when it is really hot. We really have to make her come inside from time to time.

We had 4 nights camping with our dog last week....it was fine....we had an awning for shelter from sun....we had a padding pool to put him in....we did early walk...and a 8pm walk to pub....we went to forests on 2 of the days...lots of shade .....we kept the tent door open all night....the dog was fine

I saw quite a few really well behaved and quiet dogs walking on to a ferry the other week . Not a dog lover really but all these dogs were lovely and looked quite happy - no barking at all ! 🐶

That's good news LizzieS. I hope you've enjoyed your night away, and your dog too.

Responsible dog owners need to give themselves a pat on the back sometimes. We've been so so careful this last week with our dog in temperatures reaching 44°. We've sacrificed our holiday to keep our dog ndoors the whole time, apart from his 6 am beachwalk. It is what it is, and he's safe.

Before anyone says we shouldn't have brought him away, we didn't know this 7 weeks ago when we arrived, and even if we'd wanted to sail home early, which we considered, all available crossings we're booked up.

Great result Lizzie
Maybe they will freeze the bottle for the journey back?

NotSpaghetti

Lizzies

I’m just worrying because I booked a hotel for next week and the temperature is going to be high. My dog doesn’t do well in the car or the heat so I’m panicking a bit. We’re only going for one night so I hope she will be okay.

Could someone dog-sit at home for this one night?

Nobody’s available to dog sit, Mum’s flats don’t allow pets and Dd is 150 miles away. I froze a hot water bottle and put it under her blanket in the car and when we got here we went for a walk to the river side under the trees. She’s currently lying down in the room where all she needed has been provided by the hotel and I needn’t have brought it all with me!

Re the 7 second pavement test - I wonder what the pavement feels like in 40⁰ plus?

I would be very wary of taking dogs out in such heat on paved areas.

Lizzies

I’m just worrying because I booked a hotel for next week and the temperature is going to be high. My dog doesn’t do well in the car or the heat so I’m panicking a bit. We’re only going for one night so I hope she will be okay.

Could someone dog-sit at home for this one night?

monami

Yes, put them in the kennels, a lot of people are allergic to dogs and they seem to be invading everywhere, especially pubs whilst eating and drinking

Nothing worse than a couple of entitled labradors tucking into pints of Thatchers and sausage rolls barging in

Yes, put them in the kennels, a lot of people are allergic to dogs and they seem to be invading everywhere, especially pubs whilst eating and drinking

It pains me to see people walking around towns, fairs, fetes parks, outdoor events etc. in the hot weather. The pavements are really hot and tar melting. How would their humans like to do that in bare feet. They should be at home in the hot day sun happily snoozing in a cool room. idiotic!

The trouble is, the way things are these days, you never know what the climate is going to do until you travel or arrive on holiday.
For example, in Brittany, France, June temperatures are usually 22° in June, yet all of a sudden this week it's a suffocating 40°.
If I'd known I'd have missed out on this visit a 100 times over, but we're stuck and I'm just praying all will be OK. It's a horrible scary feeling.

During heatwaves I would be up and walking my little fella in the cool woods first thing, then spend the rest of the day making sure he was in the coolest part of the house, encouraging him to drink and almost following him around with the fan! Also carrying him across the patio to have a shady wee .
No car journeys during those times at all and if I had to cancel a trip or outing I was more than happy to.
I'm OK with discomfort/heat but never for my little darling, for the joy & love he gave me he was a million times worth missing out holidays etc for.

My dog is actually lying on his cool mat this pm! Only taken 4 years. The first year he chewed it & I mended it with an old bicycle repair kit. The second year he tried to chew it & I rescued it in the nick of time. Last year he pointedly ignored it but - we got there in the end, he looks very cool.

Sikipoo

Ok… so I don’t take my dog out in the heat, just early morning exercise. So how does it work if you want to take your dog on a summer holiday. Ie , it turns vv hot .
I’m wondering how people manage this or am I better to put him in kennels where they have air con?

I don't know if this helps , but my friend has just bought a 'Cool coat' for her dog some types you refrigerate and some types you soak in cold water and then put on the dog before you begin a walk. Obviously the cooling effect isn't going to last for hours, but if you have to take your dog out in the sun it makes them more comfortable .

I'm sure dogs hate planes, but their lives revolve around their owners & if we were emigrating I'd take the dog.

Our last, dearly missed spaniel was scared on boats but he wouldn't contemplate being left behind if DH was taking the boat out. He did used to look a bit green about the gills if it was rough, but no-one could tempt him to stay on land.

Dogs on planes shouldn't be allowed. Owners are just being selfish. How would they feel if they were stuck in the hold for hours in a small cage with noone they know and no idea what's happening. I recently waited for a long flight for an hour in a checkin queue and people in front with a dog in a cage. It howled and whined the whole time. I thought about telling them they shouldn't be doing it but they probably felt entitled and didn't care.

MartavTaurus

Well, as chance, or misfortune, would have it, ny dog is with me in temperatures of 35°. It has been like this for nearly 4 weeks and another 10 days to go.

I think he is used to it now, his body has adjusted.
He has a long swim in the sea at 6 am before breakfast (24°).
In the car we have air con.
Every restaurant and café here brings out a fresh dog bowl of water.
He chooses to lie in the sun, silly fool, every now and then!
So, so far so good.

Sorry, I couldn't resist this one.
I'm sure your dog is lovely but you must sing this to him. The next time he goes out to lie in the scorching heat of the Sun

Mad Dogs and English Men
Go out in the midday in sun.

Thank You Noel Coward

We only put our dog in kennels once when we went to Crete one year. It was recommended by a friend but when we went to collect him, he shot past us when they opened his cell door and he made straight for the door outside, not even an acknowledgement we were there. He sulked for days after we got home and gave us dirty looks for leaving him

No, l wouldn't trust anyone with my dogs. For me, it is not worth the risk. Huskies are powerful dogs, notorious escape artists and need careful watching at all times.

With our dog in France atm. She loves the beach and the sea. We walk in shaded forest areas in the morning and she lies in the shade or our air conditioned caravan the rest of the time, and has another walk in the evening.

Would you think about using Trusted House Sitters so your home and dog are looked after by someone staying in your house? Your dog gets to stay in their familiar environment and you can say what routine your dog is used to and so on. We (OH and I) have house sat for many pets through THS and it works well for both sides I think.

We have two huskies so a risk assessment of sorts is needed each time we go away. We always use the A roads (always to sw England) in case of a breakdown, air con while travelling and we travel late into the evening when it's cooler. Very early on return. We always check in to hotels that are feet away from beaches so they can have their play time early in the morning and at dusk. Jellyfish are our biggest issue at the moment. We always take our adult daughter with us as well so that we are not stuck indoors all day and we take turns to go out and about.

We are away at the moment in France on a road trip although on the way home. It has turned hot while we have been away. Our dog is fine in the car with the air con and very short walks except for first thing in the morning. He is happy to stay in the hotel room while we go to dinner with a walk after 9 when it is cooler.

Caravanned for 45 years until DH died. Took our dog with us but only in UK. If going abroad either billeted with friends or with Barking Mad, never placed her in a kennel. The caravan had a big awning and if hot there was a fan. Somehow, the rear of the caravan always seemed cooler than the rest, less windows perhaps and shaded by the awning so the dog liked that area if indoors.
Now I'm with family on south coast, very warm, and today no run out and about for the dog which is moving around garden seeking the shaded areas for a lie down as am I but no chance if the lie down.