Do Dogs Get Homesick During Travel?
As a Tri-Valley taxi company, it’s not just humans that we help transport these days, but their little dogs, too! More and more people are bringing their pets along for the ride, whether it’s by plane, train, or automobile. If you’re setting out on an epic adventure this summer with your dog as your travel companion, you might wonder - if humans can get homesick can dogs get homesick during travel, too? The answer is yes, they definitely can.
Just like humans, dogs get used to their surroundings. They notice different smells, sounds, visuals, and will definitely notice if their favorite chew toys or humans aren’t within range. If you’re traveling with your dog, but one or more members of your household is staying behind, your dog will notice. And, depending on how bonded your dog is with those people, he or she may or may not show signs of depression, anxiety, and general homesickness.
Does that mean that you shouldn’t travel with your dog? Not necessarily. You just need to know how to properly manage your dog’s homesickness during travel.
What to Do to Ease Homesickness in Dogs
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Crate train your dog.
Some owners are reluctant to crate train their dogs because they think it’s mean or that the dog would rather sleep on the bed with the owner. In reality, your dog will sleep anywhere as long as he or she feels safe (really, it’s just the owner that wants the dog to sleep on the bed, not the other way around). If you establish early on that their crate is a safe place to sleep or eat, then your dog will not have any anxiety about being in it.
And you know what else is cool? This means that a crate trained dog can feel at home anywhere - as long as the crate comes, too. If you bring your crate with you on your vacation, it is less likely that your dog will get homesick during travel.
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Give him something that smells like you.
If you are worried that your dog will cry, bark, or whine if you have to leave the room for the day, then you can give him something that smells like you. This helps reassure your dog that you will come back, and also provides him with something familiar for comfort. This is especially important if you’re staying in a totally foreign place, like a hotel room with lots of other smells.
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Have plenty of chew toys.
If your dog gets anxious or homesick during travel, it’s important that she has somewhere to place that anxiety. Give her lots of her familiar chew toys to occupy her time with, especially if she’ll be alone for periods throughout the day. This also helps to create familiar surroundings, since she’s used to having toys around her when at home.
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Practice being apart.
Don’t just leave on vacation and expect your dog to think it’s totally normal to be away from one or more of his human companions. It’s important to practice being apart from your dog for small periods of time before officially traveling. When your dog sees that you can leave for a few hours and still come back, he’ll have less anxiety and homesickness on the road. This is a good time to practice crate training, too.
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Stay active.
A surefire way to combat homesickness in your dog is to make sure that she stays active. Don’t just keep her holed up in a hotel room all day - take her out for walks and adventures every day so she sees traveling as something fun. And make sure to keep up with regular routines, such as feeding schedules, so that your dog doesn’t have too much pent up energy.
If your dog is suffering from extreme homesickness, depression, or anxiety when you travel, it doesn’t hurt to consult your veterinarian. They’ll likely have some handy tips for traveling with your dog, and can also prescribe you with medications to combat motion sickness and travel anxiety if your dog gets homesick.
Do You Travel With Your Dog?
Do you have a dog that gets homesick during travel? Share your tips for handling your sad pup below. And if you are ever in need of airport transportation with or without your dog we offer Pleasanton to SFO, Pleasanton to OAK, Pleasanton to SJC and cover the entire tri-valley area.
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What to Do Before Leaving for the Airport to Never Miss a Flight
you are looking for in a hotel in Pleasanton, then the Sheraton is just for you. Just a stone’s throw away from the Stoneridge Mall, our riders like that they can easily walk to various shops and restaurants without breaking a sweat or having to call a cab. You could even take BART from the airport, get off at the West Dublin station, and arrive right at the Sheraton’s door! It’s truly that simple. Don’t forget to check out the Pleasanton Off the Grid food trucks in the Stoneridge Mall parking lot on Sunday for lunch!
uniquely furnished, which many of our riders say gives it a bed and breakfast vibe as opposed to the mundane, boxed feel of large chain hotels. The Rose Hotel is right on Main Street in downtown Pleasanton, so you can easily walk to different shops, restaurants, and even the weekly Pleasanton farmers market. The Rose Hotel is also a short drive from the Pleasanton Golf Center and the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Your stay at the Rose Hotel in Pleasanton will make you feel right at home, so you’ll likely come back here again and again for your business or leisure travels.
are in need of an extended stay hotel in Pleasanton, our riders always have great things to say about Hyatt House. The rooms are all furnished suites, complete with a work space, high speed internet, a kitchen, flat screen television, telephone with voice mail, and anything else you might need whether you are traveling for work or for a fun family vacation. Our riders who have come to spend a week or two exploring the Bay Area, the Livermore Premium Outlets, and all the rest that the Tri-Valley has to offer have said that Hyatt House is an affordable and convenient choice.
our riders often choose. Located on the edge of the Stoneridge Mall, our riders say that this is a perfect location if you want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the town and escape into the beautiful parks in Pleasanton and Dublin. It’s just a short drive to either Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park or Dublin Hills Regional Park, both of which offer expansive trails that are dog friendly. The Marriott is also just a short ride from the Alameda County Fairgrounds, which hosts events throughout the year. What the icing on the cake? The Marriott has a complimentary shuttle for locations within 5 miles from the hotel.
580 freeway, the Best Western Plus is an affordable option that allows you easy access to downtown Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, and more. Our riders who are working with a tighter budget but still want to be able to experience all of the Tri-Valley and greater East Bay Area recommend the Best Western Plus Pleasanton Inn. It’s a smart choice that won’t leave you disappointed.
Please note that we do not receive compensation for any of these recommendations – our goal is to provide you with knowledge to help you make a good choice for your next hotel in Pleasanton!
