Author: Lisa Maria Stöbich
Due to their orientation to the earth's magnetic field and their keen sense of smell, many dogs always find their way back home. In Australia, for example, the lost Labrador-Boxer mix Jimpa arrived safely at his master's home after 14 months and 3,218 kilometers of paw-walking.
Holiday offers you and your fluffy companion a well-deserved change and many exciting adventures. But in order to treat yourself to a break from everyday life, you don't have to travel all over the mountains with bag and baggage.
Find out here how you and your four-legged friend can have a nice holiday at home, which travel destinations are available in the surrounding area and which dog-friendly accommodations are available.
Want to travel but don't feel like long car journeys?
Long-distance travel is not always the best option for you and your nose. Maybe your dog is still a playful pup who gets nervous easily when exploring new places or gets nauseous when driving. Does an old dog lady or a dog senior accompany you and just doesn't bring up the same energy as before?
Long journeys to faraway places bring new bushes to sniff, undiscovered paths to explore and to process unfamiliar sensory impressions. This can be a nice experience, but it's not always suitable for your furry friend. Dogs with a fever in particular often find it difficult to cope with such new experiences and then do not calm down. If this sounds like your sniffing nose, it might be wiser to gradually get used to traveling with short distances.
Which places offer fun and relaxation for two and four-legged friends?
Popular vacation spots in Germany can be found on both the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Here you will find dog beaches, dog-friendly areas and, with a bit of luck, even agility parks. Take the opportunity and relax with leisurely walks by the sea and refreshing drinks on the beach. With our dog walking bags with washable treats compartment or ours Bumbags Hanover you always have your valuables and treats to pamper yourself at hand.
Is there a beach near you where you can enjoy the sea air together?
If you live in the south, you can go hiking in the Bavarian or Austrian Alps. In the fresh mountain air there are many interesting smells for your taste buds and the breathtaking view will quickly make you forget your everyday worries.
Cozy holiday homes and apartments to relax in
The right accommodation also offers you an escape from routine, because there are many dog-friendly accommodations in these vacation spots where you can finally switch off and put your legs and paws up. Enjoy not having to constantly check the post office or do the laundry. This is the perfect place to rest after your holiday adventures and to cuddle up comfortably to end the evening.
But what if you or your four-legged friend cannot travel for health reasons? Maybe you have a puppy that would be overwhelmed with all these new impressions. Or do you simply not feel like traveling and still don't want to miss out on some relaxation and variety? No problem, we'll give you a few ideas on how you can enjoy your vacation together at home.
Returning home instead of stopping in
Whether you live in the city or in the country, your own four walls or your own surroundings often offer more relaxation than travel. You don't have to change your usual routine and it's best to sleep in your own bed, right? In addition, you save yourself the stress of arrival and departure, which are usually anything but relaxing.
Staying at home doesn't mean you have to give up your well-deserved rest. Feel free to take a few days off and Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life together with your fluffy friend. If you live in the city, you can take a closer look at them and stroll comfortably through the streets. Treat yourself to a cup of coffee or an ice cream while your four-legged friend makes himself comfortable in the shade with his dog bowl.
Many dogs like to lie outside under the café table and observe what is going on at the neighboring tables. If other sniffers are added, they can be sniffed out with curiosity. But make sure that your four-legged friend doesn't get too hot in summer.
Reading tip: You can find helpful tips for cooling down your dog in our blog article Stay cool in the summer.
On land, forests and fields offer you adventure. Do you only come for routine walks during the week because you don't have the time and energy for new explorations? Maybe now is the time to find some hiking trails nearby and explore the world that's right under your nose.
Fun holiday activities at home
From agility to frisbee to dog dance, there are many fun sports that you can finally get your hands on while on vacation at home. Find an exciting agility park near you and dare to do parkour together. If there is no agility park in your area, you can design one yourself. Tree stumps, large stones and other obstacles can be cleverly converted into a course and obstacles such as chairs, tables or cushions can also be found quickly in the living room.
Or how about fetch? Maybe you can even teach your four-legged friend to distinguish between his toys and bring them to you on command. If you are interested in other sports that you can practice together with your fluffy friend, then have a look at our article Sports with the dog.
If you catch a rainy day, you can pass the time with intelligence and hidden object games. Discovering hidden treats under a pile of blankets or towels is sure to be fun for your nose and also stimulates it mentally.
Relax and recharge your batteries
With all the fun and games, you shouldn't forget one of the most important aspects of a holiday at home: relaxation. Your nose needs things differently than we humans do between 18 and 20 hours of rest per day. During this time we sleep, snooze, doze, laze around and most importantly: process what we have experienced. If you're always romping around and your fluffy companion never rests, he can become exhausted and restless at the same time.
As with young children, it is up to the adults to ensure that they get enough rest during the day. Because just like children, our four-legged friends often cannot judge when enough is enough and continue to play endlessly without your intervention. With a lot of stroking and cuddling, you can relax your dog and let him come down after a challenging activity. Treat yourself to a well-deserved break on vacation and leave the stress of everyday life behind you for a few days.
Recovered back to routine
Fancy a holiday in your own city? Try it!
Now you know a few destinations that will stay with you for a long time journey spare and are dog friendly. But whether in the city, in the country, in your own four walls or in the garden, you don't necessarily have to travel endless distances for your vacation. It is important that you have some fun, variety and relaxation and can return to everyday life rested. Let yourself be inspired by our tips, because dogs that walk thousands of kilometers home show us that home is the most beautiful place.
Cover photo by Los Muertos Crew. More pictures by Roman Odintsov and Megan Markham.
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