Traveling with your dog(s) can be a great experience (for both of you) with just a little extra planning. If you know me, then you know that I take my Huskies, Loki & Freya with me all the time. I started training both of them early to be ok with travel and to be adaptable to changing environments, and I’m glad I did. The Huskies don’t even bat an eyelash on a 13 hour roadtrip day. But keep in mind, that traveling is not fun for all dogs, for those pups who get car sick, can be aggressive, are not socialized, or have social anxiety, travel is probably not a great idea. The easiest/least stressful way to travel with dogs is roadtripping. And after quite a few I’ve learned a lot so let’s talk about all the things you need to know before traveling with your dogs! Here are my top dog friendly travel tips…
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Before Travel Tips:
Teach Basic Commands –
If you are planning on traveling with your pups then they need to know basic commands. Sit, come, and lay down are a good place to start. If you know that you want to travel with your dog it’s good to start training them for it from the very beginning. Freya went on her first major roadtrip (16 days) when she was 4 months old, and Loki did the same at 3 months. The same is true with rescues, just start their training as soon as you can. Here are my top pre-travel dog friendly travel tips…
Crate Training –
Crate training is a great idea no matter if you are traveling or not, but if you are planning to travel with your dogs it’s a necessity. Freya loves her crate so much that she sleeps in it during the day. In my experience, crates should never be used as punishment. Your pet should always be rewarded with a treat after entering the crate.
Car Training –
It’s a great idea to get your dogs comfortable with being in the car if you are planning on taking them on roadtrips. Freya, unfortunately, got car sick at first but if you stay consistent they will most likely outgrow car sickness.
Tip: Take a few test runs before your first roadtrip, and do a few day trips in your area.
Well Visit –
Always make sure that your dog is up to date on vaccinations before you take them on any trips. On longer trips with more destinations, you will need to carry their records with you (more on that later).
Planning Your Trip With Pups:
Unfortunately, not all destinations are dog friendly and there are some important things to consider when choosing a destination. Travel with dogs generally takes a bit more planning but it’s well worth it, in my book. There are so many things to consider when traveling with dogs, but it’s also so rewarding to watch your dog have awesome experiences. A little planning goes a long way, here are some planning dog friendly travel tips…
Do Your Research –
Doing your research before a trip will let you know if your intended destination is a good fit.
For instance, if you are looking for dog friendly National Parks, you probably don’t want to visit Rocky Mountain National Park or Yellowstone National Park. But Acadia, Grand Canyon, Cuyahoga, or Shenandoah would be a perfect fit for you.
Check These Out: Is Acadia National Park Dog Friendly?, Dog Friendly Badlands National Park Dog Friendly, Is Rocky Mountain National Park Dog Friendly?, Dog Friendly Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Is Yellowstone National Park Dog Friendly?
Research Care –
It’s always a good idea to research the closest vet, kennel, and groomer before you leave for your roadtrip. That way, if something does happen, you are covered.
Other Things To Research –
- Dog Friendly Accommodations (pay attention to # of dogs allowed)
- Hikes (not all hikes are dog friendly)
- Off-Leash Areas
- Dog Parks
- City Parks (for exercise)
Finding Dog Friendly Places To Stay:
This can be one of the biggest challenges when traveling with dogs. Not all hotels are dog friendly, others have strict policies on weight limits and the number of dogs. In my experience, it’s always a good idea to book hotels and Airbnb’s before you leave for a roadtrip. I know this takes a bit of spontaneity out of your trip, but for me, it’s better than not being able to find a place to stay. These are a few of my favorite ways of finding accommodations in dog friendly travel tips…
Hotels –
I almost always use BringFido to find dog friendly hotels on trips. Generally, Best Westerns, Hiltons, and Hamptons are a good place to start. They won’t be the nicest hotels you’ve ever stayed at but if it’s only for a night on a roadtrip – it’s not too bad.
Tip: Pay attention to how many dogs are allowed. Also, most hotels do not allow dogs to be in the room unattended, even in a kennel.
Freya and Loki have both stayed in a bunch of hotels at this point, but we generally prefer…
Airbnb’s –
It’s easy to find dog friendly accommodations on Airbnb. It’s as simple as applying the “pet friendly” filter to your search.
Positives For Using Airbnb For Pet Friendly Places:
- They generally spell out pet rules and pet fees (and they usually aren’t bad)
- Most Airbnb’s have a nice area for the pups to get some exercise
- Some properties even have trails
- Dogs can generally be noisy – this is a big one for me with huskies that love to talk. It can make staying in hotels difficult!
Bonus Tips:
- Bring your pups crate, it’s their safe place, and it’s useful for when you do things without them
- Airbnb’s give pups more space and make them feel more at home
Campgrounds –
Most campgrounds and campsites are pet friendly as a rule. Even in National Parks that are not dog friendly, pups are permitted in campgrounds. It’s a great way to experience these places with your pups.
Check Out: The Complete Guide To Camping At Acadia With Dogs
Tip: It’s a good idea to book all of your accommodations before you leave for a roadtrip. Yes, this takes a ton of planning but if you don’t plan ahead, there is a chance you won’t be able to find pet friendly places to stay last minute.
What To Pack For The Dog(s):
There are so many things to pack for a trip with the pups!
- Extra Tags (in case you lose yours)
- Copy of Rabies Vaccines and Health Records
- Leashes
- Harnesses
- Hammock Seat Cover
- Dog Seat Belts
- Crate/Kennel
- Dog Bed (I usually bring one for the car)
- Food & Water Bowls
- Food & Extra Water
- Care Products – I always bring Benadryl, Famotidine, Nose & Paw Ointment
- Dog First Aid Kit
- Poop Bag Holder
- Biodegradable Poop Bags And THIS handy little thing
- Cleaning Supplies (at the very least carpet cleaner)
- Toys/Kong/Bones/Treats (Freya needs distractions on long road trips)
- Ball (its always a good idea to have at least a ball)
- 50 ft leashes for Airbnb yards
- Towels (esp if you have messy dogs like mine)
- A Current Photo (in case they get lost)
- Backpack
- Collapsible Water Bowl
Tips For On The Trip:
These may seem like common sense, but I can tell you from experience that when you’ve driven 13+ hours and you close to your destination making sure your dog has enough exercise goes right out the window, haha. These are important but not hard and fast rules for keeping the pups happy while on the road.
Don’t Push Food –
Loki inevitably goes on a hunger strike every roadtrip. Eventually, he will eat but I don’t force it because that usually ends badly. If your dog is like Loki and has no interest in food while traveling, don’t sweat it. Dogs will eat when they are hungry. Loki usually eats after he gets enough exercise.
Make Sure They Get Enough Exercise –
I know, it seems like something you would do without thought. But the truth is when you are on the road and trying to get to your destination sometimes this one gets left in the dust. It’s really important that the pups get enough exercise, especially if they are high energy (like Loki & Freya).
Follow The Rules –
This is kind of National Park/State Forest specific but do NOT break the rules and take your dogs on trails where they are prohibited. These places are restricted for a reason, you are putting yourself, your dog, and the wildlife at risk.
Spoil Them –
Loki and Freya get spoiled anytime we are on the road, but who am I kidding, they get spoiled all the time. That’s honestly one of my favorite parts of any trip! They get treats, pupacinos (or the equivalent) everywhere I stop. I get them ice cream on every single trip too! They love it and I love spoiling them.
Safety Tips:
- Never leave your dog unattended in a car (heat stroke and freezing to death are not worth it) or at a campsite
- While driving, it’s safest for your dogs to be crated. But if you can’t fit a crate then seatbelts are a great alternative. I generally use seatbelts for the huskies.
- Do not try to feed a dog while driving. It will end badly for everyone.
- Take plenty of water, potty, and walk breaks during long drives.
Dog Friendly Activities:
- Hiking
- Scenic Drives (hello, Skyline Drive at Shenandoah National Park)
- Beach (check for restrictions)
- Kayaking
- Walking Tours
- Breweries
Check Out: 11 Fun Adventures With Dogs At Shenandoah National Park, 10 Can’t Miss Dog Friendly Hikes At Acadia National Park, The Best Dog Friendly Hikes In The Smokies
When The Dog(s) Can’t Come:
There are several options for when the pups just can’t come with you. I usually do one of these 3 things –
1. Ask a trusted family member or friend to watch them.
2. Find a pet sitter – I’ve found the best way to find reputable pet sitters is to ask your vet or groomer. Chances are they won’t recommend anyone that they don’t trust.
3. Kennel – this is my absolute last resort. I’ve had a few bad kennel experiences in the past. Just be sure to do your research if you go this route.
Traveling with Loki & Freya is so much fun and I love that they get to experience all of these awesome places with me. It does take a bit more planning, but honestly, I think it’s worth it. Enjoy your time with your doggos and let them enjoy their time with you! Do you have a favorite place to travel with your pups? Let me know!
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