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Guest article by Nick Burton
You don’t have to choose between your dog and your vacation plans. You also don’t have to leave your pup behind with a dog sitter every time you go somewhere. Traveling with a dog has its complications, but it’s nothing you can’t prepare for with some training and organization.
Choosing a Destination
It’s obviously a lot easier to travel domestically than internationally. The US has many wonderful dog-friendly destinations, so it’s worth avoiding the hassle of pet passport and airline restrictions. Choose somewhere with plenty of open natural spaces, or a city with good parks.
When looking for accommodation, use a pet-friendly hotel directory like BringFido. House rentals sometimes allow dogs, but always check before booking.
Traveling with a Dog by Car
Driving is the best way to travel with a dog because it puts you in control. You can stop regularly for breaks and short walks, and you can keep an eye on your dog throughout the trip. However, that doesn’t mean that you can just stick your dog in the car and his the road.
Most dogs associate the car with going to the vet, so it has a tendency to make them anxious. You can desensitize them by slowly introducing them to being in the car.
For everyone’s safety, the dog should be kept in a carrier throughout the journey.
Don’t feed a dog in a moving vehicle. Feed them a few hours before traveling, and take a food break later if it’s a long ride.
Take regular breaks where you let them stretch their legs (this is good for you too!).
Have a bag at the ready with toys, treats, their leash, and anything else you might need
Traveling with a Dog By Plane
According to CNN, flying with a pet should preferably be a last resort. It can be stressful and confusing for the animal, especially since they will have to be either put in cargo or kept in a carrier under the seat in front of you.
Before traveling, make sure you do the following:
Take your dog to the vet and get the green light for traveling
Get in touch with the airline to find out their pet policy.
If traveling internationally, find out what paperwork you need to bring for your dog.
If you don’t have one, buy a plane-friendly carrier that can fit under the seat. Your dog must be able to sit and lie down comfortably in it.
Acclimate the dog to the carrier in the weeks leading up to the flight.
Do not sedate them as this could be dangerous
Traveling with a Dog by Train
Amtrak allows dogs up to 20 pounds to travel on their trains for $26 per dog. However, this only applies to journeys under seven hours, and you will need to keep the dog in a pet carrier (which counts as a piece of luggage). As with flying, you will need to properly acclimate your dog to being in a carrier for long periods of time.
On the Ground
Once you arrive at your destination, you will want to consider how your dog is going to fit in with your plans. You may want to do some activities that aren’t particularly dog-friendly. On these days, use an online search tool like City Pet Sitters to find someone to watch over your pup.
Remember that your dog still needs to be walked as usual. Consider taking them to a nearby dog park so they can run around for a while, but keep safety in mind. Make sure your dog is vaccinated and has ID tags, and supervise them the whole time.
Travel can be stressful for humans, so imagine what it must feel like for a dog who doesn’t understand what is happening. All you can do is try to make your dog as happy and comfortable as you can during the trip. Don’t worry — once you’ve arrived at your destination, you will be able to enjoy your vacation together.
Nick is one of the creators of ourbestdoggo.com, a website that aims to share all types of dog information and to help people who are mourning the loss of a dog.
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