Tips for Traveling with Dogs
By Kenzie Dye
Traveling with your favorite, four-legged, furry friend can be stressful. Whether you are a new pet parent taking your puppy on her first road trip or a long-time pet parent bringing your senior dog to her favorite hiking trail, it is important to plan ahead. Discover West Virginia has some tips and tricks to help you out.
Safety First
Before leaving town for your weeklong getaway in Harpers Ferry or your weekend trip to Lewisburg, consider taking your dog to the vet for a checkup. This way, you can make sure all of their vaccinations are up to date and they are in good mental and physical shape to travel. To keep your pup healthy as you are on the road, bring some of their regular dog food, plenty of bottled water and any medications they need.
To ensure your pup feels safe and secure while traveling, be sure to have a harness that attaches to a seatbelt or bring a dog crate with a leak-proof bottom that’s large enough for them to stand, turn and lie down in. Stock the crate with essentials, such as a comfortable crate pad, a few of your furry friend’s favorite toys and a dog water bottle.
In the unfortunate event your dog gets lost on your trip, make sure you have a sturdy leash and collar with identification tags with the dog’s name, your name and phone number and proof of rabies shots. Consider getting your dog a permanent form of identification, such as a microchip. Have recent pictures on your phone of your dog, and bring a copy of their health records listing all of their recent vaccinations with you.
If there is a situation where your dog needs medical attention, be prepared with the necessary information on hand. Find and save the phone number of the 24-hour emergency vet closest to your destination, and make sure you have the office and emergency number for your regular vet in case the vets need to speak with each other.
Research Destinations
Thankfully, resources like BringFido.com make finding dog-friendly adventures a breeze. Check out some of these surprising and not-so-surprising pup-approved spots around the Mountain State.
Blackwater Falls State Park, located in Davis, WV, is named for the amber waters of Blackwater Falls, a 57-foot cascade tinted by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. Visitors can enjoy the picturesque, scenic views year-round by taking steps to the falls or using viewing platforms. The park has 20 miles of pet-friendly hiking trails, and leashed dogs are allowed.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in Glen Jean, WV, allows dogs on the trails that wind around the banks of the river, which pass through rocks, rock outcrops, trails and coal mines. Bring your pup along the 2.4-mile Endless Wall Trail, which passes through rich forest, crosses Fern Creek, then weaves along the cliff edge until reaching the overlook at Diamond Point.
Shepherdstown Mystery Walks offers dog-friendly tours of Shepherdstown, WV. Open year-round, visitors can learn about the paranormal history of this charming town during the sweltering heat of summer or in the chilly winter air. You and your pup will hear stories of residents who have left this world but are rumored to haunt the homes they once lived in.
Dog-Friendly Lodging
One you have decided on your destination, it is time to figure out where you and your furry friend will be staying. BringFido.com can also help you find dog-friendly lodging.
Just 11 minutes away from Blackwater Falls State Park, Black Bear Resort provides a breathtaking view of Canaan Valley and countless amenities, including a pool, mini golf, a playground, sports facilities, a nature trail and miles of private roads for biking.
Located just outside of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Country Road Cabins offers unique rentals such as yurts and treehouses along with log cabins. These cabins make the perfect, quaint getaway for you, your plus one and pup.
After exploring the town, unwind for the night at Sundogs Bed and Breakfast in Shepherdstown, WV. Pets of all sizes are welcome for an additional fee of $20 per pet per stay. Unless discussed, pets can’t be left unattended when guests leave the property and must be crated when guests are outside of their rooms. Dogs must be free of fleas and ticks, and proof of rabies vaccination is required. Food and water bowls, comfy beds and towels for muddy paws are available at no extra charge. Pet-sitting can be arranged through the nearby 3 Dog Farm doggie daycare.
Traveling with your four-legged furry friend can be loads of fun if you plan ahead and are prepared. These destinations and lodging options are just a few of the many places throughout the Mountain State that will happily host you and your pup. Happy travels.
Dog-Friendly Events in West Virginia
With its endless outdoor recreation adventures and numerous pet-friendly cities, West Virginia is the perfect place to bring your pup. There are many events all across the Mountain State held specifically for furry, four-legged friends.
DogFest – Shepherdstown, WV
Each spring, Shepherdstown welcomes hundreds of dogs and their humans to the Eastern Panhandle’s largest gathering of rescue and shelter dogs, working dogs, service and assistance dogs, adoptable dogs, trainers, vets and artisan vendors for a Shepherdstown-style dog show.
GoMart Ballpark’s Furry Friend Fridays – Charleston, WV
The Charleston Dirty Birds incorporate Furry Friend Fridays into their scheduled promotional nights at GoMart Ballpark. At these games, fans can enjoy baseball with their furry friends. Learn more about next season’s promotional nights at dirtybirdsbaseball.com.
Kegs 4 K9s – Charleston, WV
At the end of summer, the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association hosts its annual Kegs 4 K9s. This event features live music from local bands, local eats and fun for humans and four-legged, furry friends alike. Enjoy local craft beer and food from some of the area’s favorite eateries.
Leaping into Labor Day – Grafton, WV
Country Roads Canine Activities, a Grafton-based business, hosts Leaping into Labor Day. This dock diving competition is held at the business’s 115-acre farm. When it’s not hosting events like Leaping into Labor Day, Country Roads Canine Activities provides dock diving and dock diving practice, swim lessons, aquatic therapy for dogs who have had an injury or underwent surgery and exercise for dogs who might need to burn their extra energy.
Monongalia County Ballpark’s Bark in the Park – Morgantown, WV
The West Virginia Black Bears partner with Pampered 4 Paws to give dog owners the chance to bring their pups along to watch a baseball game at Monongalia County Ballpark. Dog tickets are $5, and all proceeds go to the Hearts of Gold program, which places service dogs with veterans that have mobility or psychiatric disabilities.
Paws in the Park – Wheeling, WV
As summer ends each year, Oglebay hosts Paws in the Park. Last year’s lineup of events included a guided hike; Drool at the Pool, which gives pups and their owners the chance to swim in Oglebay’s outdoor pool; a K-9 police meet and greet; airbrush tattoos; a PAW Patrol meet and greet; and a movie shown at the Anne Kuchinka Amphitheater.
Ruff Race – Snowshoe, WV
In the spring, Snowshoe hosts the Ruff Race. You and your four-legged, furry friend can embark on an exhilarating hike/run atop Cheat Mountain. You’ll start in Snowshoe’s village and work your way through its backcountry trails where pups are bound to find new smells. Total race distances vary with bail-out options along the path.
West Virginia Hot Dog Festival – Huntington, WV
The West Virginia Hot Dog Festival is held in Huntington every summer. Bring the family and your furry friends to enjoy contests, live music, demonstrations, crafts, shopping and car and truck shows. Watch the wiener dog races, and let your pup strut her stuff in the parade, which awards prizes for the best costumes.
