Doggone Etiquette —

France — On All Fours

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

A trip to France! This sounds like fun! Maybe you came from Europe originally, but have you ever been to Europe on vacation? (A vacation is when your VIPeople don’t have to go to work and have lots of time for you, so it’s sort of a special time for you dogs, too.) Traveling to Europe would no doubt be different and exciting – once you get there – but the trip itself might be pretty scary. And you’d have to do it all over again, in reverse, to get back home. Maybe you’d rather stay home?

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

Travel questions came up several times in the spring and early summer, but this is from a couple planning a fall trip to France. They are debating which would be more stressful for their dog – to take him with them, or leave him behind in a boarding kennel. They plan a leisurely three weeks of traveling by car when they get there.

This entire question depends on the dog and his level of separation anxiety when left for shorter periods of time. Crossing the Atlantic by plane can be very stressful for a dog stuck in cargo, to say nothing of how the dog may be handled at both airports. Some dogs can take the whole venture in stride, while others simply fall apart whether from the noise, the confusion, or the actual separation. Then there are all the current flight requirements for dogs leaving and entering other countries – such as special crates, health certificates, permits to cross certain borders. Plus the changes in food and water.

That’s where to begin weighing whether or not it would be wise to take Rufus. Something else to consider would be the size of the dog. A small dog might be convenient to take along, but if he’s a barker (or worse, a biter) it would be a more relaxed holiday for everyone if the little dog stayed home. A large dog would involve not just the expense of the flight, but possible excess charges in hotels. Unlike here in the States, in Europe most restaurants have no problem with well-behaved dogs, but a large dog might make mealtime awkward for the owners. Then there’s the need for exercise (and for clean-up) plus renting a car that would accommodate the dog and be comfortable for all.

On the other hand, leaving a dog in a boarding kennel for three or four weeks is generally a welcome new adventure for the dog. Even a dog that hates to be left home alone will come around when left in a kennel. There are people coming and going, other dogs to watch and perhaps communicate with, as well as a fixed routine which in itself is settling for dogs. If the chosen boarding kennel offers playtime for an extra fee, that individual attention is worth every penny! Ask any dog. They look forward to that break in the day every bit as much as dinner.

This is for any reader: If you are planning to put your dog in a boarding kennel for the very first time, visit one or two in the area to see the facility and to ask what is offered, what is required, and which you feel would suit your particular dog best. On a personal note, when I go to pick up my dog, he is brought out to the office, gives me a “Hi mom” and wants to head right straight back to the kennel area! I couldn’t ask for a better commentary on his stay.

The final answer to taking a dog on a three week vacation to France is “yes” for a very well-behaved small-to-medium sized dog. But best leave a large (or noisy small) one for a boarding kennel holiday. Know your dog and his reactions to change, and act accordingly.

Until next time – BE GOOD!

- Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.