Guide to dog friendly canal boat holidays UK

It’s always hard when you’re looking forward to a family trip away, but have to leave your beloved pet behind at home. However, fear not – with ABC Boat Hire and one of our dog friendly canal boat holidays, your furry friend can join you on board! Learn everything from our guide to dog friendly holidays on the canal today.

Pet friendly canal boat holidays

From what necessities you need to pack to the do’s and don’ts of canal boat holidaying with your pet, find out everything you need to know about our pet friendly canal boats – and how to ensure both your dog and the whole family makes the most out of their trip away:

What to pack for your dog friendly canal boat holiday

It’s important to ensure your pet feels right at home on their jollies, just as much as the family does. And what better way to remind them of home comforts than with their favourite toys, blankets and treats?

• Toys – this can include squeezy or chewy toys, balls, frisbees and bones. Anything dogs like to get their paws on and play with at home!
• Lead – don’t forget to pack the spare lead, too, just in case!
• Bed – your dog’s bed is important to bring along as the different smells of home and the comfort of their bed, or blanket, will keep them happy, and reassure them that they are safe on their new canal boat home.
• Food – as well as their usual brand of food, make sure to bring their food bowl, water bowl and lots of treats for them snack on, too.
• Dog waste bags – very important to remember! And also any other hygiene products that your dog will need while you’re away.

Canal doggy training

When you’re away on your dog friendly holiday, it’s important to remember that your canine companion may need a bit of guidance on what they can or can’t do around the canal. Although the canal walkways are perfect for walks down the tow path and fresh air for them to enjoy, ensuring your dog is well behaved at all times is important for you all to have a successful holiday on the water.

• Waterways – once dogs get into the canal, it’s pretty hard for them to get out again by themselves! If you think your dog may end up in the water frequently, it may be wise to invest in a harness for the holiday.
• Other animals – along the canal, it’s likely you’ll bump into other animals, especially birds like ducks or swans. Make sure your dog doesn’t try to chase the ducks or bark at the swans – as this can cause a disruption to not only the wildlife, but to fellow boaters, too!
• Locks – when you’re coming up to canal locks, it would be wise to put your dog on the lead or keep them in the cabin. Locks can be a little stressful, especially if you’re new to boating, so having the dog running around underfoot may add some more stress to the situation.

Travelling to your pet friendly canal boat

And of course, you may have to do some travelling by car to reach the destination of your new canal boat home. Make sure your dog doesn’t suffer from travel sickness – they’re likely to lie in the dog bed and not move too much if they feel travel sick, so ensure you stop for regular breaks so they’re not stuck in the car for too long. However, if you have a particularly lively dog who’s ever so interested in the fast-moving world around him, it may be worth considering a doggy seat belt or cage for the boot – depending on how long your drive is.

Need more information on our pet friendly canal boat holidays? Take a look at our guide on weekend breaks with dogs in the UK. Alternatively, ABC Boat Hire is here to help with any of your canal boat related questions and advice you may need – simply get in touch with us today.