Traveling with your Dog
Mila as a puppy
Hanging out in her crate before going on her first flight.
The world is a big place and we love to travel. Whenever we can, we try to bring our dogs with us so they are able to explore with us too! After all, if we are lucky, we may only get 10-15 years with them, so we want to make sure they are able to enjoy life outside of the home as much as possible! Adventuring and being able to sniff out new places is something they love as much as we do.
Here are some things we have learned while traveling with our dogs - We hope it helps you out!
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Do your research!
There are some hotels that have NO PET FEES! Which is absolutely amazing and so totally worth it.
Many hotels and air bnb’s have a pet fee which vary from place to place.
Some hotels require you to crate your dogs if they are in the room alone. You can call ahead and ask or you can look on their website. As a rule of thumb, we always bring their travel crates. Our dogs are house trained and crate trained but you can never be too sure in a new environment. I would rather not risk them chew on furniture or bedding if we leave them for a brief period of time.
Usually if we pay a pet fee, we don’t get housekeeping unless we ask. We will even leave the ‘do not disturb’ tag on the door to avoid housekeeping. We would rather not have a stranger come into the room if our dog is there just to avoid any mishaps (the dog gets loose, the house keeper gets friendly but doesn’t know how to observe or respect the dog’s behavior or space, etc)
Make sure your dog is crate trained, potty trained, and has good manners if you plan to travel with them.
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Travel Crate
Doggy Go Bag
Food / Meds
Training Treats
Chews
Toys
Harness
Walking Leash
Long line (for exploring)
Collar with ID tags
Poop Bags
Water & Food Bowls
Doggy Sunscreen
Brush (depending on your dog’s breed)
Shampoo (incase they roll in sh*t)
Immunization record
Contact information for nearest Emergency Vet Clinic / Hospital
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Take your companion to the vet for a thorough examination prior to embarking on an extended trip. Verify that their vaccinations are current and bring along their vaccination records. For air travel, ensure you have the necessary health certifications. Consult with your vet to confirm your dog is both mentally and physically fit for the trip, as not all dogs may find the experience enjoyable.
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Ensure that your dog can be easily identified by following these steps:
Equip your dog with a durable leash and collar. The collar should bear identification tags containing your dog's name, your name, and your home phone number, along with evidence of rabies vaccinations. If your trip extends beyond a few days, consider getting a second identification tag indicating the location and phone number of your vacation destination.
Provide your dog with a permanent means of identification, such as a microchip. We use HomeAgain
Bring along a recent photograph of your dog, along with a copy of their health records detailing all recent vaccinations.
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Ensure safe and comfortable car travel with your dog by taking these precautions:
Familiarize your dog with the car through short rides and driveway sessions.
Prevent carsickness by allowing travel on an empty stomach but ensure access to water.
Maintain good ventilation in the car; if using a crate, ensure proper airflow.
Consider using a crate, dog seat belt or car seat for your dog's safety.
Avoid letting your dog stick its head out of an open window to prevent potential eye injuries and keep them from jumping out
Never allow your dog to ride in the back of an open truck, as it poses serious risks.
Take regular breaks for exercise and bathroom breaks, and clean up after your dog.
Advise children not to tease or bother the dog during car rides.
Never leave your dog unattended in a closed vehicle, especially in the summer, and designate a family member to stay with the dog if you must leave the car.
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Mila has flown but we will likely keep our travels with the dogs to road trips only because of Kona.
Kona is a highly anxious dog who is nervous around a number of things. Fireworks and loud noises scare her so I can’t imagine taking her on the plane and having her experience turbulence. I would never dream of traveling with her by plane in cargo. I can only imagine what a terrifying time she would have…
Many people will travel with their dogs on planes and their dogs are able to tolerate the experience. Make sure you check the rules and regulations for the airline you are flying with and also the laws of the country you are visiting :)
Happy Adventuring!
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