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Have dog, will travel
Vacationing with oneâs dog a growing trend is a growing trend in Japan
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Vacationing with one's dog a growing trend is a growing trend in Japan.
This summer, it seems dog-lovers are bringing their pets along on vacation in greater numbers than ever before. But with the proliferation of pet-friendly lodging facilities that have made this possible comes potential conflict and frustration. Travelling with dogs calls for proper preparation for an enjoyable trip.
The number of pet-friendly lodging facilities has risen from 170 properties in 1999 to around 800 properties today, according to Grandpaw Corp., a Kanagawa Prefecture-based online portal for pet-friendly holiday accommodation across Japan. Many of them are adding pet-friendly rooms, with around 50 to 60 new listings every year.
'More and more people are bringing dogs along on vacation as a member of their family,' according to Grandpaw's spokesperson, Takako Fujino. Numerous travel destinations have introduced off-leash areas, dog swimming pools, grooming parlors and other attractive features for dog owners.
Problems do crop up, however, and one of the biggest headaches is the issue of cleaning up after pets.
A Chihuahua owner, 58, in Minato Ward, Tokyo, admits that her dog once urinated in a room where they were staying in lodgings while on vacation. She explains that at home, her dog was used to urinating on pee pads for indoor use.
Even with proper training, pets can become confused by a change in their environment during travel. Be sure to bring along plenty of pee pads, poo bags, or whatever your dog is used to using, and in the event the room does get soiled, let staff know immediately. For the truly concerned, using dog diapers is another option.
Another common complaint is owners not responding to their dogs' barking. In most instances, owners can prevent this by remaining conscientious of their surroundings. 'Although vacations are often meant to be a time for letting go and relaxing, keep in mind that there will be guests without pets as well,' said Fujino.
That includes people afraid of dogs, or allergic to dog hair. Keeping an eye on your dog, putting your dog on a leash in shared spaces, and giving your dog a thorough wash with shampoo before setting off on your trip are a few of the common courtesies dog owners can practice while on vacation.
'If you're traveling with your pet, make sure you plan ahead very thoroughly,' says Chizu Yamazaki, spokesperson for Tokyo-based public-interest incorporated association Japan Pet Care Association. Although lodging facilities that allow cats do exist, felines generally prefer to stick to their own territory and are not well suited to travel.
As for getting around with your pet, if you intend to use trains, planes or other public transport, bear in mind that guidelines differ among transportation companies. Some may not allow pets to be brought on board, so check with the relevant transport operators before you make any plans.
If you are driving your own car, it helps to plan your rest stops in advance: Look up highway rest stops with off-leash areas, dog cafes and other dog-friendly facilities.
While your dog is in the car, keep it in its carrier. Dogs let loose in a car may try to get between your legs or otherwise interfere with your driving, leading to accidents.
Yamazaki advises: 'If you want to bring your dog along on vacation, try to get it used to being in an environment different from home, like placing it in a carrier more regularly and taking it out on a drive.'
If your dog is not sufficiently trained, or you feel it might struggle with the stress of travel, look into the option of boarding your dog at a pet hotel.
