Have dog, will travel
The Yomiuri Shimbun Publication Date : 20-08-2015
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.
