Due to poor exchange rates and the continued effects of the recession, Brits are increasingly holidaying right here in the UK. That’s great news for dog lovers – for they can save on prohibitive kennel costs and bring their dogs along on holiday too!
Obviously, not all holiday parks will welcome your four legged friends with open arms. So how do you find a great place to spend your precious holiday time that will keep those tails wagging too? Simple – let dog friendly UK holiday experts www.bestholidayparks.co.uk do the work for you. It’s a one-stop shop to finding the best holiday park deals with the right facilities – in your ideal location. So don’t waste countless hours on hundreds of websites – find everything you need in one place in a fraction of the time!
It’s not just finding the perfect dog-friendly UK holiday which Best Holiday Parks can help you with: – they’ve also put together an essential list of tips to help you and your pets holiday in perfect bliss!
1.Holidays can be stressful times –and that goes for dogs too! Make the journey to your holiday spot as relaxed as possible for your pet, with frequent stops for toilet breaks and water. If your dog is a nervous traveller or suffers from motion sickness, speak to your vet about whether they can help.
2.Remember that your dog will be just as excited as you when arriving at your destination – so don’t leave them forgotten in the car whilst you unpack. Elect a member of the family to take your dog for a short walk whilst the rest of you unload luggage, so they’ll de-stress after their long trip.
3.Make sure your dog knows where to do their business – and that’s not in your holiday home! First things first – take them to the toilet area and praise them well after they go to the loo. Remember, it’s a confusing time for your pet, so make it as easy as possible for them to understand.
4.Accidents can happen – and we don’t just mean weeing in the wrong place. Ensure you come equipped with a first aid kit for animals and humans, so that you can deal with any cuts, bumps or minor accidents. Ask your holiday venue for details of the local vet and keep these to hand – it’s best to be prepared should the worst happen.
5.Be respectful of other holidaymakers. Keep your dog on the lead in public places at all times, and take some of your dog’s toys and their own basket to help them settle in and reduce any crying or barking at night or when left alone. A happy dog leads to happy neighbours – and a great holiday!
6.It sounds obvious – but holidaymakers forget all too often to pack the dog food! Most dogs don’t react well to a sudden change in diet, so if you can’t get hold of your usual dog food, you might be in for a nasty shock. Pack enough dog food to get you through your holiday – or research where you can buy your dog’s favourite dinner nearby before you go!
7.Many dog-friendly venues have great access to wonderful walking areas, which your dog will thoroughly enjoy – after all, it’s their holiday too! Bear in mind that wonderful walks often lead to muddy dogs – so remember to pack old towels and dog shampoo to make sure that the dirt stays outside, not all over your holiday apartment’s carpets and walls!
8.Very importantly – wherever your dog goes, make sure you clean up what he’s left behind. Holiday parks are a family environment and as such need to be clean and safe for children. If you keep a poo bag in your pocket at all times, you’ll never be caught out.
9.Remember that your dog might be restricted to access certain areas in holiday parks, such as restaurants and public bathroom areas. Find out the rules when you arrive and make sure you let the entire family know – and again, you’ll keep your holidaymaker neighbours happy.
10.Before you leave, take time to check that you haven’t left too much of your dog behind! Whilst your holiday park is dog friendly, leaving pawprints and mounds of hair everywhere isn’t friendly at all. By making the effort to leave your holiday rental presentable, you’ll be doing a service for dog owners everywhere – by helping to promote responsible ‘holiday dog owners’ and therefore helping to ensure even more great holiday destinations become dog-friendly in the future.
So now you know the top tips of taking your dog on holiday – what are you waiting for? Get online with Best Holiday Parks to find your perfect UK holiday, where your dog can enjoy a change of scene and fresh country air just as much as the rest of the family – and you can luxuriate in a well-earned holiday without missing the company of your very best friend!
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Media Enquiries and further information: kirsty@affiliatestuff.co.uk – Dave Bird 12-08-2010