Taking Doodle on Vacation?

[Jenny Williams]

My kids are desperately wanting to take a trip to the beach, but we just got a GoldenDoodle pup last week. She will have completed her vaccinations by end of summer, so I'm contemplating taking her with us for a short beach trip at a pet-friendly place. Anyone ever taken their 4 month pup on vacation? Part of me is screaming NO, but the kids really want to take her with us.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Our first beach trip with both Lucy and Oscar was at their 5 month mark, after their potty training was complete. Both did really well with no problems. I would think you'd want to wait until your puppy was reliably potty trained first.

[Cheryl and Lucas]

I can't see how you could leave the pup home? She is a part of your family now and I am sure you will create wonderful memories together! We had to find a different cottage (animal friendly) for our vacation our first year with our pup cause I could not bear being without him for a week. The cottage we had been renting for years was not animal friendly. This year may be different, not sure yet, but I will be the one with separation anxiety! Take her, have fun! Of course, my pup was fully trained, no accidents in the cottage!

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Well, if you change your mind or can't take her, I will be more than glad to watch her for you while you go! I'm in Jacksonville, Fl not too far from the beach. 

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

We took our 5 month old mini-ALD on a lengthy (over 7 hour) car ride to Malibu where we stayed in a pet friendly cottage, frequented pet-friendly restaurants when we could and when that was not possible - for instance for dinner - had pre-arranged for a petsitter through care.com. All worked out fine! I did, however, make sure to have her treated as I saw fit for flea prevention prior to being in a beach area.  And with keeping an eye on children, opening doors and running all around, be sure to always be on guard for fast running puppies - wherever you choose to go, be on the lookout for safety first. We're heading to a shore area this summer which I recently checked out the beautiful home we booked online and while it's every bit a gorgeous as it looks, it's right now the block from a railroad crossing so naturally everyone will be under strict orders to keep the outside gates closed and locked.  Good luck!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We have an RV so it is entirely different, but we took our then 4 month doodle with us for lots of overnight trips - mostly to the beach - during his puppyhood. We really enjoyed it because we could 'concentrate' on him, however we didn't have little children so we didn't have to worry about him getting out.  We used a crate when we were out and also at night.

[Leslie J]

So adorable!!!

[Leslie J]

We take Cocoa on vacation with us whenever possible. Her first trip was on a ski trip when she was 4 1/2 months old. Other than getting a bit carsick she did great. If your puppy is crate trained, it should be a breeze. One issue Cocoa sometimes has when we travel is to bark when we leave her alone. She's worried about being left in a strange place. We minimize the time she's alone as much as possible, and get cabins where her barking won't disturb others.

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

The one thing I have to add here, as we'd have never thought of this....we took our Bosco, our previous ALD, with us on vacations as well.  He was fine in rooms but even though I checked with the oncologist treating him about taking him on sadly the last one and she reassured us, he must have panicked -- and somehow managed to work the levered door latch.  I would not have thought to have considered that; I'm not sure if any other hotel room we'd stayed in had such a door. I am making sure that our current dog is always comfortable staying in a crate as I'd either never leave her alone wandering in a strange room or I'd have a pet sitter, as I'd arranged last time we were away.  Or just be sure the dog is in as safe an environment - where he/she cannot have ready access to working his/her way out of a door or window -- as much as possible.

[Jenny Williams]

Thanks Everyone! I'm planning on playing it by ear to see where we are at with her potty training and obedience in a few months. We have family here who will take care of her, if we decide to get a pet sitter. I feel better hearing your stories that it is possible :)

[Kelly & Zoe]

Yes, we took Zoe to Sea Ranch (northern coast of California) at 4 1/2 months.  We rented a pet friendly vacation house.  We bought a flexi leash to use when we were on trails - it was wonderful.  We had a fantastic time.  We now plan vacations and long weekends specifically around dog-friendly areas (Monterey, Carmel, loads of camping sites).  I say, yes!  And have fun!

[Kelly & Zoe]

Just so you know - even pet friendly hotels will *not* allow you to leave your dog unattended in the room, so be prepared for that.