Last weekend was completely jam-packed with not one, but two family barbeques, a trip to the beach and a flutter at the races. Weekends are the perfect time to enjoy some family time and it’s just not the same if you have to leave your dog at home. Luckily for us, all of the places we went were dog-friendly and you might have seen on my Instagram that our cockapoo Ted enjoyed all of the summery shenanigans with us. Like us, Ted is quite smitten with BBQ food, loves nothing more than to frolick on the sand and he’s quite partial to a picnic and now we tend to plan our weekends around dog-friendly pubs, parks and picnics. If you’ve never enjoyed a dog-friendly day out, here are some of our fave dog friendy trips.
The Dog-Friendly Cafe: This was the first little outing we tried. You can read all about our afternoon here. Not all dog-friendly eateries are as well-equipped as this one so do your research before you go. Some places simply allow dogs, but some go the extra mile with oodles of dog treats (pigs ears are a superb bribe for good behaviour) clips to secure them and of course water bowls. These extra little touches make a huge difference if you are taking your dog out with you for the first time.
A Trip to the Beach: If your dog doesn’t settle easily, a cafe might not be the best idea for your first trip out. The beach is a fun day out for all and the exercise will tire him out for the journey home. Firstly, always check that the beach you want to go to is, in fact, dog-friendly and whether there are rules about letting them off the lead. Keep a close eye on them to make sure they aren’t eating anything they shouldn’t be and take lots of fresh water (one bottle for drinking, one for rinsing) and a collapsible bowl, this way they won’t be as tempted to drink the salt water. Take an extendable lead to give your dog freedom, but not complete freedom if he is exploring the sea for the first time. Take ALL the toys and remember to pack the poo bags for all dog friend;y trips!
The City Break: We recently took Ted to Haworth for the day and it was so much fun to navigate the cobbled streets, explore the oldy worldy shops and have Sunday Lunch in the pub. Haworth is super dog-friendly, but I did a little research before we went, even tweeting a few of the shops to see if they minded dogs in their stores. In most towns and cities there will be a park or some grassland to enjoy and taking your dog with you often gives you an opportunity to sight-see and explore more than if you went alone.
Going Abroad: Now this is the real test. We haven’t yet taken Ted abroad yet, but this is definitely the next step. We always miss him so much when we go away so it would be so much fun to take him with us. Again research is essential and it helps to find a site that lists all of the dog-friendly holiday options. Accommodation and transport is the main concern here. Dog-friendly hotels can be pricey but Eurocamp is an outdoor holiday specialist that have a plethora of affordable dog-friendly holiday homes (only £3 extra per night) across Europe (190 in fact) with beautiful settings including forests, beaches, lakes and mountains. Some holiday parcs even have dedicated dog showers and fancy accommodation options such as lodges!
If you do plan to travel to Europe with your dog, he or she will need their own PETS passport (I know very cute until you find out it’s £150). Saying that you would probably spend that on a dog sitter if you went away without your pet. Speak to your Vet to let them know your plans and they will tell you if you need any special vaccinations. Put some thought into how you will get there. Ferries and trains are a super dog-friendly, but again check to make sure your chosen form of transport operator allows dogs as not all do. In order to travel, your dog will also need to be microchipped. Lastly, always make sure you are armed with water, treats and toys at all times and be mindful of others.
*This post was in collaboration with Eurocamp but as always my love for dog-friendly holidays is 100% my own.
