No vacation is complete without the entire family. Â It is important to remember that there may be some packing considerations when you decide to travel with your pet.
 Dogs At The Cottage
To make your dog more comfortable while at the cottage, it is a good idea to bring a collapsible crate and their dog bed.  This way if they want to relax in someplace familiar they have their own space.  We always suggest bringing “dog towels†with you.  It may sound unnecessary however you never know if your dog is going to find a muddy or wet spot mid trip… it makes car clean ups and coming in from the lake a breeze.
It is important to have your dogs vaccinations up to date, and ensure he or she is current on heartworm/flea prevention. Â You may be coming into contact with other dogs on the trip and want to ensure your dog is in tip top condition and safe from heartworm. Â
Don’t forget poop and scoop bags, no one likes to step in a mess that is left behind!  It is a good idea to bring an extra leash in case the one that you have happens to break.  Also make sure that your dogs collar had ID tags in case you get separated  It will make it easier to reunited you with your pet.
Always know where the closest veterinary hospital is, in case of emergency. Â This info is not always easy to find in a panicked moment, so it is easiest to be prepared in advance. Â
Dogs, like children. should be supervised at the cottage.  In new surroundings they may be overcome with excitement and not realize there may be slippery rocky areas, or wildlife hazards such as skunk & porcupines.  Any dog that comes in to contact with a porcupine should be immediately taken to the nearest veterinary hospital to have the quills removed.
Keeping your canine friend leashed is the easiest way to ensure their safety in new surroundings.  If your dog is obedient and under your control, by all means enjoy hiking the trails and playing fetch in the lake.  At Pine Grove Resort, just off our farm hiking trail, we have an unfenced field  called “Dog Patch†with a small agility course.  It is a fun area for well behaved dogs to romp around and enjoy the outdoors.
Your dog will be thrilled with a cottage vacation. Â It is hard not to smile when you see the sheer enjoyment as they bound through the trails, or fetch sticks thrown off the dock. Â Even the laziest dog is sure to revel in chilling on the dock beside its owner.
At Pine Grove, we look forward to meeting your furry friends, both large and small.  Don’t forget to visit us this June 8-9 in Toronto at Woofstock.  A zany dog festival that takes over the St. Lawrence Market area of Toronto.  Book soon, to ensure a pet friendly vacation this season!
Tiny Cottage Lover
