The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [79]
Take along a small sign to hang on the doorknob to alert the housekeeping staff that Sammy is inside. Some places provide customized privacy signs that notify visitors that one of the guests inside has four legs, but have your own just in case. (See Travel Tips for Rover on page 257 for a list of other important items to pack.)
No matter how well behaved he is at home, do not let Sammy have free reign inside the room unsupervised. When you and your husband go to dinner or check out a tourist attraction, leave him in a crate after his exercise with all his creature comforts (water, favorite chew toy, and bedding) and tune the television or radio on low to muffle hallway sounds. Never leave him in a crate for more than a few hours. Another option is to bring a portable gate that keeps him safely in the bathroom area and set up a cozy spot for him there.
PAW PRINTS
Sigmund Freud believed that dogs possess a special sense for human emotions. His chow, Jo-Fi, assisted the great psychoanalyst in his sessions by alerting him to patients’ moods. The dog would stay across the room from patients who were stressed or tense. Freud also realized that petting a dog could help calm and relax people.
When you take Sammy out of your room, he needs to be on his best behavior. When you are at the front desk, put him in a sit-stay. That simple obedience cue wows the staff and generates positive comments from other guests. A dog who is friendly and well behaved will usually become a favorite with staff and guests alike, especially if he performs a couple of cool tricks as well.
Finally, always tidy up as you prepare to check out and leave the housekeeping staff a nice tip. These gestures create a positive impression that will benefit other pet lovers desiring to travel with their canine chums.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR ROVER
If you frequently take your dog with you in the car, keep a kit with doggy travel essentials in your trunk. My must-have list includes a water bowl, bottled water, extra leash and collar with identification tags, poop bags, an old towel, premoistened wipes, a basic first-aid kit, necessary medications, a copy of health records, bedding, treats, and at least a one-day supply of food.
During your trip, watch for any signs of motion sickness, dehydration, or other health issues. on a long drive, stop every couple of hours to let your dog stretch, have a drink, relieve himself, and move around for a few minutes.
Most important, pay attention to the weather. You’ve heard it before, but the facts are frightening: Dogs left inside cars during the summer can suffer from heat exhaustion and die within minutes, even with the windows open. When you are driving, turn on the air conditioner when temperatures start to sizzle and make sure the vents are directing cool air to the back seat.
Bear and Cubby Behave
BILL AND BETTY’S OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOGS were friendly with strangers, affectionate with their owners, and well behaved in public. At 18 months, however, Cubby, an intact male, began challenging his five-year-old companion. He bullied Bear so much that the older dog retaliated. The two fought over toys, food bowls, personal space, and time with the couple. When the couple played with Cubby in the backyard, Bear would stand back and bark loudly. Inside the house, the dogs rushed to be the first through doorways and jostled for position at feeding time. Ugly spats occurred daily, and both humans were injured attempting to break up fights.
My analysis was that Cubby was competing with Bear for priority access to valued resources. Bear, not wanting to relinquish