What to pack for your assistance dog when you are going on a trip?

Your guide dog, assistance dog or service dog is your support network, your confidence builder and your shadow. Although they are your world, you have to factor in the consequence of adding more luggage to serve your four-legged friend.

Here are a list of essentials you should take when going on a trip with your guide dog or assistance dog.

• Vet book
• passport
• guide dog book.
  If you are travelling anywhere for more than a few days, I would suggest taking your Vet book: even within the UK, just as a precaution or encase of illness or injury.

Depending on where your trip is based, for example outside of the UK, if you are a UK citizen… A pet passport is a must, along with vaccinations such as the rabies vaccine to make sure your pup is protected whilst away.
You can find out more from your local vets or contact DEFRA.

I personally think your guide dog booklet should go where ever you are going with your guide dog, as I mentioned in my: what are my rights as a guide dog owner post, sometimes establishments have never come across a working dog before, keeping this on you ensures that you have the law on your side and a point of reference.
A handy document holder will keep all of your guide dogs paperwork safe and together.

Pre-prepared food in doggy bags.

If you know how long you are going away for, measure out your dogs morning and evening meal in separate doggy bags, this way you will have enough bags with you to clear up the mess and an easy way to carry the food better than in a large bag or package.

Measure out a extra full day of food, just encase!
If you are travelling within the UK and know The residential address you are going to be staying at, you can post your dogs food a few days before you leave. Posting a box of dog food at the post office with an article for the Blind stamp/sticker enables you to post your food for free, making your luggage far less cumbersome.

Whistle

Guide dogs are trained to eat on command, this is done by blowing the whistle 3 times. Taking the whistle with you, will give you both structure In a new environment.
If you choose to go on a free run it’s the best way of recalling your dog. 🙂

Dog bowl

If your dog is a fat lab like mine, you may have to take their specific maze bowl.
This turns eating into a sort of game and slows your dog down, otherwise they will just inhale the food, potentially making themselves ill.
Collapsible bowls are great for travelling, you could have one each for food/water, or just take one large collapsible bowl that will do the job for both.

Dog blanket

At home your pup usually has their own bed, whether that be in the form of blankets, cushion or dog bed… When you are travelling you want to make your load as light as possible so buying a blanket that can lie on top of their bed at home, will be easy to store and also have the scents of home, making them feel more relaxed as well as having a place to sit/sleep.
Although my dog loves meeting new people, she definitely gets restless staying somewhere that is not her own bed, having something specific with your scent on it will really help to relax them.

Falcon bells

Falcon bells are a great addition to your list, if your dog only wears them when on a free run such as mine. This will help them mentally adjust to work and playtime.
Although Guide dogs are hard-working and enjoy it, it’s great to let them off harness and enjoy some silly time, after all they are on holiday to 😉

Dog toy

Some dogs love toys, and others prefer bones. Depending on what your dog prefers; if you have the space pack a toy or bone with you, it’ll all help with any anxiety of being in a new environment. and can also give you both some down time where necessary.

Wash cloth

Washing your dogs face ears and eyes should be a daily ritual, not only does it keep your dog clean but you can check for abnormalities whilst doing so.
As humans we want to stay clean whenever we are away, so your dog should be no different. 🙂

Dog brush

Taking a dog brush/ mitt with you is great because you can keep your puppy groomed daily, it’s also good as a bonding experience for the two of you, putting some structure and normality into their day.
Hopefully grooming will relax both of you and reduce the fur left behind! 😉

Going on your first trip away with your guide dog can be exciting and nerve wracking at the same time, just remember this is a new environment for them too and if they are anxious, silly or unsettled it is due to them not understanding what is going on.
Implore patience and extra obedience, this way you will both know where the boundaries are and hopefully it will make your trip even more enjoyable.
You know your dog better than anyone! 🙂
A quick piece of advice: Even the really headstrong and adventurous dogs can feel anxious and unsettled, and this may translate into their toileting habits.
It took us a few trips to realise this ourselves. Patients love and extra obedience training is the key. 🙂

Have you been on a trip with your guide dog, assistance dog or service dog yet? How did it go? Any tips or ideas I can add to this post?
Look forward to hearing from you in the comments below.

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