How to Travel With Your Pet
Traveling With a Dog
Taking your dog on a road trip is a great way to spice up your travels. If your dog adores human interaction a trip will make this year.
If you’re planning on staying in a hotel with your dog, beware: some hotels have weight and breed restrictions, so read the fine print of the hotel policies carefully. For dog-friendly restaurants, parks, and beaches, Bring Fido is a great resource.
In the Car
Hands down, this is the easiest form of traveling with a dog. Stopping whenever your dog needs a restroom break, or a run to let off extra energy, is no problem. Many dogs love car rides, so a road trip will be a natural extension of that.
Plus, it’s less stressful on a dog’s system than an unfamiliar, stressful plane ride. The added puppy bonus is that they get to stick their heads out the window, flap their cheeks in the wind, and smell the breeze.
Pro tip: Weeks before your trip, take your dog with you on car rides for any errands. Praise enthusiastically (or reward with treats) when he does a good job in the car. Make the association in your pet’s head that a car ride equals fun.
Packing List
- Dog-proof cover for your car seat
- Water bowl
- Food in plastic grocery sack: as Fido eats his food, the bag shrinks
- Food bowl
- Dog Bed
- Leash
- Harness: which makes it easier to control your dog’s excited pulling than a choke collar does
- Water: In a gallon jug or Nalgene
- Puppy potty pad for hotel: If your dog is prone to peeing/pooing when excited or nervous
