Posts tagged "pet travel"

There are plenty of tres chic addresses for well heeled visitors to Paris -- the Plaza Athénée and Le Meurice are just a couple that come to mind -- but luxe lodgings for discerning canines with well coiffed paws have been sorely lacking. That is, until now.

Beret-wearing poodles and fluffy bichons alike can now check into Actuel Dogs, the city's first upscale pad for pups who enjoy the good life, reports Reuters. You know, amenities like a heated pool, a games room outfitted with a treadmill, massages to get out those stubborn hind-quarter knots, and some personal training -- doggie style. Thanks to its proximity to the Bois de Vincennes, one of Paris' biggest parks, four-legged guests staying in one of the six rooms here benefit from doggy walks, doggy jogs, and even doggy vélo, or sprinting beside a bike to burn off some of those Parisian indulgences.

Amy D. Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 23 pet care books, including "PETiQuette: Solving Behavior Problems in Your Multipet Household."

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Are pet holiday visits in your travel plans? Family gatherings are a big part of the holidays, and pets double the fun -- and the stress. Cats hate strange environments, so a pet sitter is the best choice for kitty.

Dogs, however, love new places, but when your King meets Grandma's Sheba for the first time, how do you keep the fur from flying?

Follow these eight tips to keep pets happy and safe -- and help you stay on speaking terms with your relatives. Pet introductions can take days, weeks or sometimes months to be successful, so don't expect overnight miracles. Be patient. How would you like a stranger sleeping in your bed, eating from your plate or, ahem, using your toilet?

Rules of the House

1) The resident pet "owns" the home and yard. Therefore, don't crowd him out. Be sure to give him continued access to his territory.

2) Confine the guest pet in one room at first. Provide familiar bowls, bed, litter pan and toys in the room where the guest pet's owner sleeps. The owner's scent helps keep the guest pet calm even when he's alone, and confinement provides a familiar home base where he's safe from the resident pet. Confining him behind a closed door also tells the resident pet that only part of her territory has been invaded.

Breeds like the Bernese mountain dog and the Siberian husky live to set paw on freshly packed powder. But even warm-weather dogs love to lay tracks on the slopes surrounding these pup-approved ski retreats -- and then curl up (and warm up!) with their owners by a crackling fire.

The Mountain Top Inn & Resort, Chittenden, Vt.
Killington's epic runs are just 11 miles from this mountain hideaway, which accepts dogs in its fireplace-accented cabins. The 350-acre spread features one of the oldest Nordic ski and snowshoe centers in the country, with 37 miles of trails -- including pet-friendly cross-country and snowshoe sections. Well-behaved canine boys and girls get another special treat: A spin on a horse-drawn sleigh, an activity that resident beagle, Bailey, (see photo above) loves. Rates from $205, including breakfast.

Lake Placid Lodge, Lake Placid, N.Y.
In 1980, the Olympic Winter Games were held in Lake Placid, which still draws crowds of skiers, ice skaters, snowshoe trekkers, and even bobsledders to this corner of the Adirondacks each wintry season. At the posh Lake Placid Lodge -- digs have hand-hewn beams, hand-carved beds, and hand-stacked stone fireplaces -- dogs are just as welcome as snow bunnies in the cabins. Neighboring Whiteface Mountain has the longest vertical drop of any Eastern ski mountain, but there are also plenty of leisure pursuits offered at the property, like nightly snow bonfires, complete with hot cocoa and s'mores. Rates from $750, including breakfast, in-room drinks and noshes, and lodge activities.

While I'm all for spoiling my dogs, I'm generally more likely to spoil them with a day at the dog park than a doggy spa treatment. That might be because I prefer running around outside to being slathered with creams, or maybe I'm just practical. Either way, I will only indulge my dogs to a point.

Usually.

Then I won a two-night stay at a pet-friendly hotel of my choice after after entering a slogan contest with I Love Dog Friendly. Suddenly I was a little more open to the idea of pampering my pooches.

My husband and I, along with our two dogs, stayed at the pet-friendly Tradewinds Island Grand in St. Pete Beach, Fla. which offered a fully fenced off-leash zone, designated dog-walking pathway, beachside hammock, and -- you guessed it -- doggy room service, for which we were provided two vouchers. (We chose the hotel because it is near the gorgeous Fort Desoto Park and dog beach.)

We opted for the Mutt Meatloaf (a grilled 12-ounce Salisbury steak with egg, garnished with a jerky-stuffed pork-hide twist) and the Pu Pu Pork Platter (two boneless pork chops, Vienna sausages and crispy pig ears). There were also options for cats.

The prices on the pet-friendly menu ranged from $7.95 to $12.95, and the two dishes we ordered were generous, beautifully presented, and, according to my husband who snuck a little taste, completely delicious. There was enough food on each plate for two meals.

If someone had asked me last week if I'd ever do this, I would have laughed them out of the room. Now I'd have to admit that I just might do it again. I wouldn't splurge on every meal or even every trip, but if I were staying with friends or family and had a chance to order room service for the dogs, I could come up with $20 or $25 for it.

Have you ever ordered room service for your pets, or do you think it sounds ridiculous? What would you be willing to spend on doggy delivery? $10? $20? Is any amount too high to spend spoiling your pets? Tell us in the comments.

Don't think pet travel is a booming business? This article at Gadling might change your mind.

You love your pet and you hate to be separated from it. Fortunately, with the right bag, you and your cat or small dog can travel together easily.

SturdiBag, a patented flexible-height pet carrier for small dogs and cats, features flexible rods that allow the carrier to flex down without collapsing to conform to all under-seat heights. It provides an excellent travel solution for airline use (but of course you should always check with your airline for allowable in-cabin carrier dimensions and weight specifications).

As sponsors of Meet the Breeds, and in honor of the upcoming event, SturdiProducts is giving away a SturdiBag™ "Flex" Height Pet Carrier. Are you ready to win one of your own?

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us where you would take your pet in a SturdiBag.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, October 15, 2010.

You may enter only once.

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive a large SturdiBag™ "Flex" Height Pet Carrier in black (valued at $89.95).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

We love traveling with our furry, four-legged friends, but realize it can be a challenge to find an affordable, pet-friendly hotel on the road. Some even charge a large one-time fee for pets which really doesn't make sense when we're only staying for a night or two. (And we know that our pets will behave like perfect behaved angels!)

To help you out when you are on the road, our friends at the always pet-friendly Motel 6 are offering a three-night stay to two lucky Paw Nation readers. That's right -- no pet fees or crazy restrictions. Just three free nights in a Motel 6 near you (or far from you -- wherever you want to go!). As a sponsor of Meet the Breeds, they are offering this getaway in celebration of the upcoming event in NYC on Oct. 16-17.

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what city or destination is the best fit for your pet.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, September 17, 2010.

You may enter only once.

Two winners will be selected in a random drawing.

Two winners will receive gift certificates good for three nights at any Motel 6. (valued at $135).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winners will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

Going on a trip can be stressful enough without adding your dog to the mix. Some organizations, including the Humane Society of the United States recommend against flying with your dog at all because of numerous cases where the animals didn't arrive safely. But if you'll be taking to the skies with Fido in tow, some advance planning can ensure that both you and your pet will be ready for takeoff.

Assess whether your dog can handle the trip.
Radio show host and pet travel expert Stephanie Abrams points out that every breed and every dog has its own temperament that can affect your trip. "Some by nature are more high-strung," she says, and not good at dealing with the motion and the other rigors of travel. If your dog is relaxed in the car, that is a good sign. Certain breed-specific physical characteristics can make travel difficult, for instance brachycephalic dogs such as pugs and shih tzus have a pushed-in muzzle that often causes breathing problems which makes traveling in airplanes -- and especially the cargo hold -- risky.

Veterinarian David Smith of the New York Department of Agriculture agrees: "Be realistic about whether or not your pet is a good candidate for air travel. If your pet is easily stressed out by new environments, it may be better to leave it with a trusted pet-sitter." (The U. S. Department of Agriculture and state agriculture organizations are involved with the rules regarding transport of live animals.)

Know the airline rules.
These can vary quite a bit. Many airlines, like American Airlines, require that animals be at least 8 weeks old at the time of travel. Most airlines say that an animal under 20 pounds (including the weight of the pet carrier) can be brought aboard as long as the carrier can fit underneath the seat. Some allow larger animals to be flown in the cargo hold, but not all. For instance Jetblue has an extensive JetPaws Pet Program but passengers can only bring a pet as carry-on.

Not all customers feel comfortable having their pets travel kenneled in the airplane's cargo hold. It can be extremely stressful for both the dog and the owner -- especially with recent news reports of dogs being lost or sent to the wrong destination. If your dog is small enough to fit in its carrier underneath your seat, you'll probably want to travel that way.

Fees vary per carrier and can be anywhere from $75-200. A good resource for comparing airlines is PetTravel.com, which has the lowdown for every major carrier. Once you've narrowed your choices, go directly to the airline site to get the most updated rules. If you plan to have your dog in the cabin, it's important to make a reservation for your dog at the same time you are booking your flight, because every airline has a limited number of animals they will allow on board.

The Air Transport Association recommends that, "whenever possible, book a direct, nonstop flight and avoid holiday or weekend travel. Consider schedules that minimize temperature extremes. For example, try to avoid travel during excessively hot or cold periods. Morning or evening flights are preferable during the summer."

We know you don't want to leave your dog behind when you travel. Road trips give you the perfect opportunity to take your pooch along for the ride, but that can be difficult if it prefers to try to sit in your lap. While you're driving. On the Interstate. (We feel your pain.)

One way to help keep your canine (and yourself) safe is to outfit your ride with special gear for dog travel. This week, we're giving away a "Pup Your Ride" prize pack from Kurgo. The company offers lots of products to make driving with your dog a little easier, regardless of the size of your furry friend.

One lucky Paw Nation reader gets his or her choice of either a Small Dog package or Big Dog package. This prize is so great that we don't even have room to include images of everything included (so make sure you check out the links below)!

The Big Dog package includes a Backseat Barrier (can also be used to section off a part of the backseat), Auto Zip Line (use in the back seat or the back of your SUV) and Tru-Fit Smart Harness (use in the car, on a walk, wherever!), valued at $113.

The Small Dog package includes a Skybox Booster Seat, Co-Pilot Seat Cover (handy for messy human co-pilots too) and Tru-Fit Smart Harness, valued at $128.

Summer is fast approaching, and it's time to make your travel plans for the family, four-legged members included.

It's easier than ever to find dog-friendly hotels, bed-and-breakfast inns, resorts and more with so many websites dedicated to pet travel and chains that have declared all of their hotels pet-friendly. The sites listed here can help you find accommodations that not only allow dogs of all sizes, but actually cater to them with special services and amenities too. We've also included information about pet-friendly hotel companies and specific hotel and resorts offerings.

Helpful Websites
Start out by hitting the Internet to find all the details you need, such as information about any extra fees that may be required, dog weight restrictions, and more. Once you decide on your accommodations, do confirm the pet policy directly to be sure it hasn't changed. Here are good sites to use to begin your research:

At GoPetFriendly.com, search by city and state to get pet policy details and rates. There's also a road-trip planner to find pet friendly accommodations along your travel route.

While Pets Welcome lists pet friendly accommodations of all types, including campgrounds and B&B locations, what's most impressive is their comprehensive listing of nationwide hotel chains. Along with the chains' general pet policies, you can search for specific properties. The site also has a special category to help you find those accommodations which welcome large dogs, which is often a challenge.

At Vacation Rentals by Owner, search over 140,000 rental properties worldwide, and look for the purple paw icon within your results to find those that are pet-friendly.

Search for accommodations by city, state and country at PetTravel.com then view results with detailed descriptions and, in most cases, the option to book directly online.

Trips with Pets and DogFriendly.com are two more sites to bookmark as pet travel resources.

The holidays are almost upon us, and many pet lovers will be hitting the road to celebrate the season with friends or family members. And along with any gifts, festive treats, and luggage, your pet may be coming along for the ride. Since no one wants to sit through hours of nervous whining or uncomfortable howling from their four-legged traveling companion, animals should be well prepared to make the holiday journey. Here's how.

Dog Travel in the Air
If you can't afford luxurious pet-exclusive airlines like Pet Airways, your dog may be flying to your destination in coach or, even worse, cargo. It's important to contact the airline when booking your flight to be well informed of airline instructions, and ensure you're flying on a day where the cargo temperature will be suitable for your pet to travel.

As for preparing your dog for the big day, "The best possible situation is to have a tired dog [when you board the plane] so he'll sleep for the flight," said Hughes. "Take him to a dog run, or take him on a long walk before going to the airport."

Hughes also says that it's important to be prepared when picking your dog up at cargo. "Have your dog's leash ready, and know where the potty areas are," she said. Ask airline personnel where exclusive "pet potty" areas are located before your dog deplanes, so you'll be ready to dash upon his arrival.

Going on vacation doesn't have to mean dumping your best friend at the kennel. These days, there are tons of pet-friendly trips to bring your pooch along for, and they don't involve ruffing it at a campsite.

Some B&Bs, for example, welcome dogs. The Paw House Inn, in the mountains of Vermont, is a hotel for the dogs. The bed & breakfast caters to both two- and four-legged guests, offering such perks as a dog-park, an indoor playhouse, agility classes and even pet-friendly weddings. The pawesome hotel came to be after owners, Mitch and Jen Frankenberg, got frustrated that there was no where for their entire family (fur and all) to go together.

For posh pets there's the architectural masterpiece Hotel Monaco Portland. The luxe hotel offers a VIP package for visiting pets (no extra charges!) complete with a pet bed, food and water dishes, a toy and a treat. For a little extra kibble you can buy your pet some time with the hotel's pet masseuse or pet psychic, while you walk around downtown Portland.

The romantic Casa Laguna Inn & Spa, in Laguna Beach, CA, not only welcomes pets for $25 a night, but also features canine massage, for the pet who's stressed out from working like, well, a dog. The friendly hotel staff also have a list of pet-friendly restaurants you can bring your pup to with you. Best of all, your roughly nine minutes to Laguna Beach Dog Park.