The Sunday Times - UK (2022-04-10)

The Sunday Times April 10, 2022 7

GO FETCH ESSENTIAL TRAVEL KIT FOR DOGS

1

PERFECT PITCH

Many campsites require dogs to

be on leads at all times — even

though having a dog tethered to

you while pitching a tent is likely

to end in tears. The Knot-a-Hitch

system incorporates the same

components used in climbing, such

as a swivelling carabiner, to secure

your dog tangle-free between two

trees, allowing them to roam around

and explore their surroundings while

you try not to mess up erecting the

tent anyway.

£75; ruffwear.co.uk

2

WARM UP

As anyone who’s ever taken

their dog to the beach will

tell you, it’s not always easy to

get them to sit (sit! sit!) still

long enough for a towel dry after a

swim. So try a dog-drying

robe from Harbour

Hounds. The wearable

cotton towel could make

your pup look as though

it’s frolicking in a fetching

Victorian bathing suit.

Colours include sea blue,

rock pink, navy and

orange, with easy-to-use

clip-stud fastenings.

£30; harbourhounds.com

3

FRESHEN UP

Top marks for being

responsible, but

it’s still never acceptable

to bound up to hotel

reception with a small,

pungent bag dangling

from one hand. So

what do you do if

you’re caught out

without a bin? Put it in a

Dicky Bag — a

lightweight neoprene

container that promises to

be smell and leak-proof. It’s

“the civilised way to carry dog

poop” according to the website — a

phrase that might make you

reconsider ever getting another dog

again. But it works.

£25; dickybag.com

4

HIDE AND SEEK

Get lost: the phrase sounds

almost romantic when

you’re travelling, but if your

pooch goes Awol it’s more

likely to induce white-knuckle horror.

Keep track of your pup with a

waterproof Tractive GPS tracker, left,

which attaches to your dog’s

collar and can accurately

tell you where it is almost

anywhere in the world. You can

also set up a

virtual fence, which

means if your hound hoofs it,

you’ll be alerted — perfect for

camping. You’ll need a

subscription (from £4 per

month) because it

works using mobile

phone networks — but

it’s worth it for the peace

of mind. Available in

white, beige and

midnight blue.

£45; tractive.com

5

SNIFF OUT

Sure, that inviting-looking

pub might be dog-friendly,

but is your dog pub-

friendly? If your pup just

won’t sit still, or has a history of

pilfering your roast potatoes, give

them something else they can

channel their energy into:

a Ruffle Snuffle mat, above left. Hide

some treats, or your dog’s regular

dried food, in the fleece folds, and

they’ll be so preoccupied with

sniffing them out that you can sip

your pint in peace. The enrichment

travel bag also includes a ball version

of the mat, a tug toy and a rubber

treat ball.

£30; rufflesnufflemats.com

6

BEAR THE NECESSITIES

It’s good to make sure your

dog always has what it needs

— chews, Frisbee, water

bowls — until you go away

and have to lug it all around with you.

Let them do some of the hard work.

Ruffwear is known for its escape-

proof harnesses (the flagline is my

favourite), and it has a lightweight

dog day pack with small saddlebags

on either side. There’s also a lifejacket

version, if you’re more into canoeing

than hiking.

£110; ruffwear.co.uk

7

DOGS’ DINNERS

If you’re worried about not

being able to find your dog’s

favourite food when you’re

away, you’ll need to bring it

with you — no small matter if you are

going for more than a few days.

Mobile Dog Gear’s ultimate week-

away duffel, above, will help you to

keep things organised, with

collapsible bowls, lined food-packing

cubes and various zippered

pockets for delicacies. It also

meets airline carry-on requirements,

and can slip over the handle of

your luggage.

£50; lordsandlabradors.co.uk

Georgia Stephens

a

e, which

ur hound hoofs it,

erted— perfect for

likely t

Keep t

water

a

the hedgerows behind the
beach, and learn more
about the molluscs that call
that coastline home. The day
ends with a two or three-
course meal, depending on
your finds.
Details Seven nights’
self-catering for four
at the Stables cottage
in Narberth from £525
(petspyjamas.com).

Get 30 per cent off Lottie
Gross’s book Dog-Friendly
Weekends, left, when you use
the code SUNDAYTIMES30
at checkout. Offer valid at
bradtguides.com until April 30.