General Travel Tips

For identification if your dog should get lost, be sure your dog has a collar with tags including a phone number and rabies tag. Permanent identification such as microchips and/or tattoos can also be helpful in identifying the dog if the collar is lost. Be sure the microchip company has way to contact you when you are on the road (e.g. mobile phone number, voice mail or someone at home to contact). Also take along recent picture of your dog for identification. Be sure to take a copy of your rabies certificate. A copy of your dog’s shot record from your vet is also recommended, especially if traveling to Canada. One of our members did have to show these records when clearing customs in Vancouver a couple of years ago.

Before your trip, crate train your dog. Your dog should feel safe and be happy (and quiet) in his crate if you have to leave him for a short time. This will make it much easier to travel with your dog whether you are shipping the dog on an airline or you just need someplace to put the dog at night or when you go out to dinner.

Always exercise good travel manners when traveling with your dog. Keep your dog properly restrained. Clean up after your dog. Don’t let your dog bark incessantly.

Travel by Car

If you are planning a trip of any distance by car get your dog accustomed to riding. The only time some dogs get to ride in a car is to unpleasant places like the vet, the groomer or the kennel. So take your dog on some short trips to fun places (a park, the lake) before you start a long trip. Make sure your dog is safe while riding in the car. Do not let your dog ride unrestrained in the back of a pickup. And of course never leave your dog alone in the car during warm weather.

Travel by Air

If you plan to ship your dog by plane you need to plan ahead. You must make reservations for your dog when you make your reservations. The rules and regulations regarding transportation of dogs vary between airlines and between airports. Also these rules are subject to change, so be sure to double check with the airline just before your trip. Airlines also require a certification of health from a vet, as well as, rabies and vaccination certifications. Find out the airline’s crate requirements. Be sure to check temperatures at the flight’s origin and destination.

If you have never flown with a dog before, try to talk to someone who has experience flying with dogs so you will know how to prepare, what to expect and how to keep track of your dog.

Travel by Train or Bus

Amtrak and interstate bus companies like Greyhound will not accept dogs.

Lodging

To ensure that you and your dog will be able to find a place to stay in the future it is important to exercise good manners when you are on the road. Many hotels and even some camp grounds no longer accept pets because of past problems. Respect the rights of the other hotel visitors and the hotel staff. Keep your dog on a leash when walking on hotel property. Always clean up after your dog. Don’t let the hotel room go to the dogs. Keep the room clean. Cover the bed and furniture with sheets from home to keep the dirt off and minimize any residual "doggie" odor. Don’t leave your dog alone in the room. If you have to leave your dog alone for a short period put him in his crate and cover the crate, if necessary, to keep him quiet. Also to keep the hotel staff from entering the room and upsetting the dog, place the "Do Not Disturb" on the door when you leave them in the room, even though the dog is in his crate.

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