If you are like me, really love your dog, then you really hate to leave your dog. Trying to find someone to watch your dog or leaving them at a kennel can be heart breaking, but traveling can become a big hassle. Here are some helpful travel tips to make it easier on you and your dog.



If you are air traveling with your dog you must keep in mind that it takes most dogs a long time to get accustomed to traveling by plane. On average it may take up to 6 flights for a dog to stop getting stressed about flying. It is important to make sure that your dog knows that it's just a temporary thing. To your favorite pooch, even the shortest flight can seem to last forever.

Most airlines have rules that apply to pet travel, so here are some tips to getting your dog access for a flight on a plane with you.

First, you want to make sure your dog has your contact information tag on him/her. This will make it easier to make sure your dog is reunited with you as quickly as possible if he/she would get lost from you. You should also carry a photo of your dog just in case this unthinkable would happen and your pet would get lost. This will make it easier to get your baby back into your arms.

The second thing to do is to get your dog's vet to sign a health certificate for your dog certifying that he/she has no diseases. You also want to make sure that your dog is up to date on his/her anti flea program. Obviously an airline does not want a flea infested plane and many ask for documented evidence that your dog doesn’t have fleas.

Thirdly, you want to make sure not to feed your dog at least 6 hours before your flight and no water up to 2 hours before the flight. This should eliminate and accidents that the dog may have on the flight. It is important to put a note on the dog's crate saying what his/her eating and drinking habits are this way if the flight gets delayed the ground staff will know how much to give your food and water to give your pet as this is a duty for them to do.

You will want to purchase a crate that will be big enough to house your dog comfortably. Never use any old crate. You want to make sure that your pet can stretch their legs and move around a bit, so it is important to make sure that the crate fits them well. You will want to make sure that the crate that is sturdy enough to stand up to the rigors of airport transport. Your dog will love you for this.

When car traveling with your dog many of the same rules for travel will be required from you. Most importantly you want to make sure that all tags on your dog are updated and visible. Keep a leash on your dog if you are going to have the windows down because dogs sometimes get excited and may leap out of a window.

Secondly, if you are booking a hotel make sure to ask in advance if they will allow you to have the dog in the room with you. If they do not allow this you will be turned away regardless if you have a booked room already. A good way to avoid this is by going online before your trip and checking out the internet for pet friendly hotels. Most of these places cost about the same as other hotels, but they cater to you and your four legged friend.

Finally, get your dog acclimated to traveling in a car first by taking short drives so that your dog will get the feeling of driving in a car before you go taking long trips with him/her. Also as long as your dog is leashed roll down the window ao that your dog can poked his/her head out the window they love doing this. There is also a lot of pet travel safety equipment found in any local pet store. It is important to remember that your pet is like caring for a child in the car. You definitely would not let your child ride without safety restrictions, so why would you let your dog.

Happy Traveling!