My dog’s first vacation – Heading to the Dordogne
How can your first vacation with your dog take place? How to organize yourself so that your dog's first vacation goes well? What is the first long car journey like for a dog? Floriane and Moja tell you everything in this article!
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I am very happy to talk to you about this subject: my first vacation with my dog. Thanks to the site, many of you have sent me a message to tell me about the first time you went on vacation with your dog. Thanks to Addresses Too W'ouf filed by the Wouafer's, many of you have finally taken the plunge and shared your first vacation with your dog. What happiness!
For all those who have not yet taken the plunge and who have a thousand and one questions, I interviewed Mojo and Floriane upon their return from vacation. It turns out they had never gone on vacation together before. It made me want to ask them lots of questions to find out how they prepared for their vacation and how it went.
I remember the first time I went on vacation with Musher; I asked myself lots of questions: What equipment to take? What behavior should I adopt so that everything goes well for my dog? What papers to bring for her… So I hope this article will help you find your answers and prepare for your next vacation with your pet. So I leave the floor to Floriane and her dog.
The big departure
Indeed, until now I had not yet had the chance to share a vacation with a dog. During his first year of life, Mojo was what we call a very very sensitive little puppy with a complicated background (ex-puppy trauma). He dreaded human and canine encounters and we had to do a lot of work on his gaining confidence and our bond before we could gently go back to the basics and allow him to make discoveries without fear. So, after a year of small wins and big improvements, this “dog included” vacation was just the right time for us all to put ourselves to the test.
Preparing for vacation
First, I made a list of holidays, it seems superfluous, but it's a great way to check if we have forgotten anything on return (the favorite little ball of the furry one who trailed all over the campsite for example!).
I started with the basics like the travel bowl, the croquettes, the toys, the travel mat, the sweets and I consulted destination items of the Mag' of EmmèneTonChien.com to refine it. Fortunately otherwise we would have forgotten his dog first aid kit.
Sophie and Musher: Haha, not always easy not to forget anything when you go on vacation with your dog. And when it's your pooch's first vacation and you're not used to traveling with an animal, forgetting something important is not impossible. To guide you in the preparations for your holidays with your dog, I have prepared THE checklist for going on vacation with your dog.
Depending on the possible activities with a dog, I added the appropriate equipment: safety jacket (first swims yes yes!), leave alone et pulling harness for hiking et the cani crossAnd finally, microfiber bath towels to dry off.
To push the vice, I tried to think of everything that could happen to us. It's not very reassuring to imagine the worst, but it's better to be safe than sorry, especially when you're away from home! So I got: retractable leash spare, health record and second harness, address pendant with our contact details, were added to Mojo's suitcase. I also took a picture in my phone of the microchip number and the contact details of the Souillac vet.
The trip by car
If there's one thing that doesn't scare Mojo, it's the car! He adores !
This is probably due to the fact that the very day of his adoption, we drove for 8 hours with him massaging his paws in his pillow so that he finally deigns to take a little puppy nap despite his fear.
He has not lost this habit and since then, I take him on my daily trips to give him “little tours”:
we're going to see the family, fill up on gas, look for a ride. But be careful, he never stays alone in my vehicle and before getting back up, there is always a little ritual wee to do!
For a departure in driving holiday with a dog, there is more road so I always plan to give him a good ration of kibble in the evening, but very very little in the morning or very early before hitting the road, because if it is rare, it can happen to some dogs to vomit in the car, especially if we take zigzag roads (those that can make us sick too).
Mojo travels in the back: as he is afraid of confinement, we opted for a harness connected to a leash carabiner which keeps it at the rear of the vehicle and prevents it from coming to the front. This also allows him to stand up in the back seat. He loves playing the co-pilot with his tongue out by putting his head between ours and it makes us laugh.
We take breaks as soon as I feel him a little more restless so he can stretch his legs and hydrate himself.
My dog at the campsite
We arrived at the campsite at the end of the day, so the welcome was limited, but we were expected as promised. I was asked for my identity papers, but not those of Mojo (having spoken to the receptionist on the phone the day before, she knew that we had a dog and that it was little Mojo who had won the competition, so she didn't insist I think).
We had nevertheless planned the passport with up-to-date vaccinations. You should always remember to have your papers.
Mojo is by nature both fearful, but also… very curious. So I let him discover the entire apartment, all doors open! During this time, I was setting up our things, while observing her discreetly of course, then I set up her "sleep corner" by adding a piece of clothing to it and a few treats hidden. He quickly took his marks and left and returned to the Lodge to watch on the terrace in height.
This earned him the little nickname of "loulou le guardian" by our pitch neighbors.
I expected that the adaptation for a dog in a mobile home would be more difficult and apprehended some crying, but it was not at all! As long as we were there, he was totally comfortable and it really made me feel good to see that he had such an ability to adapt despite his difficult beginnings.
Musher and Sophie: Find all our dog-friendly accommodation located in the Dordogne on the site. You will find our most beautiful favourites: from the campsite to the unusual accommodation via the hotel, all will know how to welcome your doggie like a king!
Here is a selection of QUALIDOG-certified accommodation in Dordogne!
In Rocamadour with my dog
We had an incredible experience! We had the chance to visit the Rocher des Aigles where dogs are allowed. We were at the end of the season and therefore very few. This allowed us to walk Mojo in optimal conditions.
The first few minutes were horrible, Mojo was really afraid of the "cries" of tropical birds and owls. He wanted to hide behind me and I felt his fear so much that I really hesitated to turn around. It was out of the question for me to impose a traumatic experience on him… So I decided to isolate ourselves for a few minutes in the park where dogs are accepted, to sit down with him and to give him a few treats. We took the time to watch the eagles together (in semi-freedom). An incredible thing happened: Mojo, who until now was in anguish, gradually relaxed under my gargoyles to give way to a totally serene dog. He modeled himself on me, my feelings which did not convey the danger. He even sniffed one of the owls in his cage (which he would have had fun with this hairy tail-wagging thing).
I continued the experience and we witnessed the spectacle of vultures and parrots in freedom, then nocturnal birds. Mojo was a model spectator, sitting at our feet, watching the show with great attention. One of the caretakers asked me if it was possible to hide or camouflage Mojo because one of the little owls was making its first outing and seemed impressed. Neither one nor two, Mojo agreed to wrap himself in my scarf and remained like a mummy until the end of the show, which made the visitors present laugh a lot.
In short, my dog impressed me. I'm so proud of him: when I think of the traumatized little ball of fur who didn't even dare to come close to us or be petted during his first months at home. We loved our holidays around Rocamadour in the Dordogne valley.
We did a lot of canine encounters during our holidays, one of which we had organized weeks in advance with her "niece" Mina and her super masters. They all went relatively well and I was able to observe Mojo and appreciate his improvement in socializing with his peers. He was so in a positive experience since the beginning of his first vacation, that he ended up celebrating every dog that passed from the top of his terrace, he who is usually more of a guard. Oh and… Mojo fell in love with a cat that his owners had brought to the campsite, the problem was that he was the only one in love.
Holiday memories
I have a very beautiful image that sticks in my mind during a morning jog together along the Dordogne. We took a forest path that runs along the campsite and at the very end, 5 or 6 herons were perched. In the bend, we couldn't see them, but we all found ourselves almost face to face at 3 – 4 m, frozen! They obviously flew away, and we both stayed a little dazed I think (well Mojo him, he especially said to himself that they were giant seagulls so that it was even better than small seagulls and wanted to roll around in their smells)… It's still a beautiful image!
It is very complicated for me to recount my worst memory... except perhaps a big storm on the return of a walk in the woods with my dog. I myself am not very reassured during thunderstorms, so Mojo was even less so. We came back soaked, a little softened… but in the end, we were able to take advantage of a little warm nap to dry off, so it's not such a bad memory! 😉
Musher and Sophie: Walking around in the storm can actually be dangerous, as lightning could strike. However, walking your dog in the rain is too wow an activity to share with your dog – some dogs love jumping in puddles just like some humans. Find all my rainy weather advice with your dog in my article on walks with your dog in the rain.
Dog training point
For me who loves animals, dogs are fabulous. But they can quickly become a source of trouble, fear or inconvenience for others. I want to be able to enjoy my dog on vacation and that he enjoys without imposing his presence on all the other vacationers.
For this, it is imperative in my opinion that the dog be under the supervision of a vigilant master throughout his vacation: avoid noise pollution, runaways or detached walks in places that do not allow it or that can be disturbed. be dangerous for him. The basic commands of the type "you wait for me, you leave, you come back" are indeed big assets that make life easier for the master during holidays with a dog, but you will have understood it, it is above all for the master to be educated: pick up the droppings, and teach your dog to greet others!
Finally, there is no point in using excessive authority or putting some pressure on your dog: we are on vacation, we are relaxing! You will be surprised what a dog can do to please you! If your dog does not come back when you call him, it may be because he too is taking advantage of his holidays to smell new smells... but if when he comes back, he has a little treat or a simple caress... there odds are you'll become as interesting as that smell on the tree stump! Train every day, it's just an extension of your activities the rest of the year and the holidays are the reward!
Floriane's advice for holidays with a dog
Before you go, find out about the area in advance, activities to do with your dogs (there are sometimes reservations to be made) but above all on the environment. For example: is the water healthy, without bacteria? Is hunting practiced if we camp? Is my dog fit enough to climb steep terrain?
But above all, do not put psychological barriers!
Do not see these holidays filled with constraints, but rather with discoveries and experiences with your dog! We are different on vacation, dogs too. We are more relaxed, more attentive and we finally experience things in a more positive way, so don't hesitate any longer and let go… Trust each other!
What more can I say to end this article on a high note! Floriane said it all. I agree 100% with her 🙂
Don't miss a beat of her first vacation with Mojo by watching this wow video that Floriane made!
For all those of you who are going camping with a dog, I advise you to read or reread the article Going on a camping holiday with your dog !