Every dog owner recognises the look your canine companion has when the boots come out and the pack hits the floor. Ears up, entire body asking “Am I coming?” and the best answer in the world is clipping on the lead and watching them lose their minds with joy. Those of you nodding in agreement as you read this have already decided the best trips have dogs along for the ride. A decision made somewhere around the third walk and cemented the first time they fell asleep on your feet.
The part nobody puts in the owner’s highlight reel is that some adventures are genuinely better for everyone involved, and the pooch in particular, when they sit it out. A day of exposed alpine scrambling, a music festival, a national park you've dreamed of visiting. Forcing your dog into the mix isn't devotion, it's a worse time for all concerned.
The better aspiration is more trips with your canine sidekick, rather than all of them. And more can be dog trips than you probably think.
LET TOOLS DO THE LEGWORK
It’s easier than ever. BringFido is the app inspiring this piece. It has an Australian directory with thousands of listings for hotels, cabins, holiday parks, beaches, cafés and activities that are all dog-friendly. Take Your Pet is a local alternative covering accommodation, caravan parks, leash-free reserves, dog beaches and vets in one place, while apps like PetCloud and DogPack map the nearest dog beach, park or pub with reviews from people who've actually turned up with their dog in tow. For trails specifically, AllTrails has a “dog friendly” option in the filter which narrows the list to walks that welcome a four-legged companion. Treat it as a starting point rather than gospel: the tags are community-sourced, so the trailhead sign is still the final word.
KNOW WHERE YOU STAND
When it comes to wilderness in New South Wales the line dog-friendly / absolutely not is one you don’t cross. Dogs are not permitted in national parks. They are welcome in every state forest, and in some regional parks on a lead. State forests often sit right beside national parks, so the difference between a perfect day and a fine, which can run from $300 up to $3,300 is as thin as one ridgeline and a sign you didn't read. Not really a gamble with much upside.
John Gowing's faithful companion Skippa was always ready for the next adventure. Photo courtesy of the Gowings Family.
GETTING THERE
Driving is the path of least resistance for most dog trips. Your car, your rules, a window they can hang out of. Rollin’ Car Insurance recently published a list of Australia’s best dog friendly road trips to help you choose your next one.
Flying has historically meant the cargo hold, and for plenty of owners that's a hard no. At the time of writing, Virgin Australia is trialling pets in the cabin, limited to small dogs and cats under eight kilograms, in an approved carrier under the seat, on a growing list of domestic routes. It's the first Australian airline to do it, it's still expanding, and the routes and rules are moving month to month, so check Virgin's own page for the current situation. Qantas, for now, keeps pets below deck; Jetstar doesn't carry them at all.
IS THIS TRIP A DOG TRIP?
There will be weekends when the answer is no, this one's just for the humans.
With these tools helping you out, far more of your adventures can start with a face staring back from the rear-view mirror, ears up, whole body vibrating in confirmation they are 100% having the best time ever.
August 26 is International Dog Day and if you'd like to help turn puppies into heroes, consider supporting Assistance Dogs Australia.
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Who's a Good Dog?
More of your trips can be dog trips. Make the journey a joy for all by taking what your canine companion needs when they're away from home.
