What To Do With Your Dog When You Travel

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Trying to figure out what to do with your dog when you travel? No problem. We cover the most common ways to make your trip possible. So whether you decide to bring your constant companion on your adventure or need to arrange alternative care for your pup, we’ve got loads of helpful tips and advice just for you.

We love to travel and we prefer to take our dogs with us. However, that’s not always possible. Since we have faced this decision a lot over the last 18 years with our terriers, we have probably seen it all. Most often of course are the short trips, maybe an extra long day or weekend. But there are plenty of times when we had to figure out what to do for the oh-so-short 1-week American vacation. We have also had to make arrangements for an extended trip overseas.

Over the years, we’ve tried so many different ideas from finding the perfect pet sitter to choosing a cozy pet hotel, there are tons of solutions to make sure your pup stays safe and happy during your absence. We’ll weigh the pros and cons of each option so you can decide what to do next!

What To Do When You Want To Travel, But You Have A Dog

Many people think, “I want to travel, but I have a dog!” We get it—having a dog changes how we travel, but we usually find ways to travel with our dogs. Not always though, sometimes it’s just not possible to bring them along. Let’s walk through some different options.

Option 1: Bring Your Pets On Vacation With You

If you can’t bear the thought of leaving your pet, why not bring them along for the ride? Do some research to find pet-friendly accommodations and transportation options to ensure a smooth trip for both you and your dog.

The reason for creating this website was that we want to be able to bring our dogs with us as much as possible. While it definitely adds a layer of complexity, it also adds a whole bunch of joy and bonding we wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.

✅Pros

• Create amazing memories with your pet
• No worries about their well-being while you’re away
• Plenty of pet-friendly accommodations and attractions available

❌Cons

• Limited travel options and destinations
• Extra planning and preparation required
• Likely additional expenses for pet accommodations and transportation

⭐️ Frequent Traveler Tip: Vacation rentals such as VRBO tend to be great choices for places to stay with your dog. They often have more room to spread out, provide access to yards, and overall have more pet-friendly policies than hotels
Check out VRBO’s pet-friendly page to see what vacation rental works for you.

Option 2: Find a pet sitter to stay in your home

Hiring a pet sitter allows your dog to stay comfy and cozy in their own home while you’re away. Look for reliable and trustworthy pet sitters, and provide clear instructions regarding your dog’s routine and needs.

If we had to leave our dogs at home, this was usually our favorite method because of the temperament of our dogs.

✅ Pros

• Familiar surroundings for your pet
• Individualized attention and care
• Home security benefits

❌ Cons

• Trusting someone who is sometimes a stranger in your home
• Costs can add up depending on the services provided
• Scheduling can be a challenge

⭐️ Frequent Traveler Tip: Have you ever heard of Trusted House Sitters? It’s an app you can sign up for a yearly membership. You post information about your home and your pets.
House sitters match up with you to watch your dogs, cats, chickens, etc. I even saw a couple of goats and a donkey on one listing!
This service tends to work really well if you need a sitter for 1 week to 1 month. Use my code to get 25% OFF your first year’s membership of Trusted House Sitters
PETSATW25

Option 3: Board your dog at a pet hotel

Pet hotels or boarding facilities offer a safe, structured environment for your dog while you travel. Research and tour potential facilities to ensure they meet your dog’s needs and your expectations.

It might seem like a lot of extra work, but if you find a good facility that you can use over the long term, it can be a worthwhile investment of your time.

This can be a great option for social dogs. I have a couple of friends with social dogs who feel like the pet hotel can be like a vacation for the dogs too since they get so much extra playtime with friends.

✅Pros

• Professional care and supervision
• Opportunity for socialization with other pets
• Variety of services and amenities available

❌Cons

• Exposure to potential illnesses from other pets
• Can be costly depending on the level of services
• Adjusting to an unfamiliar environment

Option 4: Swap pet sitting with a friend or family

If you have a friend or family member who also has a pet, consider swapping pet-sitting favors. This arrangement can be cost-effective and ensures that your dog is in the care of someone you trust.

I especially like to swap pet-sitting with my parents since I trust them a lot, both our houses are already set up for dogs, and all our dogs get along really well together. Unfortunately, we don’t live close enough to make this work for every situation.

✅Pros

• Cost-effective solution
• Familiarity and trust with the caregiver
• Personalized care for your pet

❌Cons

• Limited availability depending on the friend’s schedule
• Potential difficulties if your pets have conflicting personalities
• Possible strain on the relationship if something goes wrong

Option 5: Have a neighbor pop over

Another option is to ask a neighbor to drop by your home and look after your dog while you’re away. This arrangement can be convenient and reassuring, as your pet will be in the care of someone who lives nearby.

I can really only recommend this idea for cats or for a brief trip of less than 24 hours. Even then, it really depends on the dog in question. I have done this a couple of times before and ended up regretting it since my jack russell ended up getting hurt because she needed more supervision.

I did think it worked great for times when I had to work late or had some kind of evening event that kept me away from home all day.

✅ Pros

• Convenient and easily accessible care
• Familiarity with the caregiver and neighborhood
• Cost-effective or even free, depending on your agreement

❌ Cons

• Limited amount of time and attention for your pet
• Neighbor’s pet care experience may vary
• Potential strain on the neighborly relationship if something goes wrong

Tips For Traveling With Your Dog

Taking your dog with you on your travels can be a rewarding experience for both of you. To ensure a smooth journey, it’s essential to plan ahead and consider some tips that can make your trip even more enjoyable.

Pick dog-friendly locations. Some regions and cities in the US are much more dog-friendly than others. The weather and time of year are often an important consideration because it means a lot more options will be available for outdoor dining and adventures like going to the beach or on hikes.

If you have traveled with your dog, help others by rating how dog-friendly places around the world are. Stamp your PAWs Passport here.

✈️ How To Travel With A Dog By Plane

For small dogs who can fit under the seat in the cabin, traveling on a plane requires a dog who is crate trained and a little extra paperwork. Other than that, it is fairly simple.

For medium to big dogs, it is surprisingly easier to fly internationally from the US than it is to fly domestically. So, you will want to consider your route and destination to see if it is possible. JSX is one of the only US domestic airlines that allows large dogs to fly in the cabin (up to 79lbs)

For giant breeds or snub-nosed dogs that don’t fit in the cabin, it is almost impossible to fly without going to extreme lengths such as chartering a jet with other pet owners. I do not recommend this for a vacation. This is usually only reasonable when moving.

✔️Flight scheduling

Schedule a direct flight whenever possible to minimize the stress and time your dog spends in the cargo hold or layovers.

✔️Pick an airline that meets your pet’s needs

Every airline sets their own pet policy. Some only allow pets in cabin. Others do cabin, cargo and excess baggage. The fees, weight and bag size all differ. That’s why I created a chart with 20+ airlines and their pet policies to help you figure out which airline will work best for you. Get access to the chart by filling in your information below.

✔️Pick the carrier bag that meets your needs

🚗 Traveling With Dogs In A Car

Road trips with your pup can be an enjoyable bonding experience. Proper planning and unique safety measures are crucial for a successful journey.

✨✨If you need to rent a car for your trip, check out Discover Cars✨✨

✔️Crate train and practice for cars

If you go fun places together, your dog will probably learn to love road trips. However, it is probably best not to start with a long journey. Start crate training at home. Then go on shorter casual trips to places your pup enjoys.

✔️Create a safe and comfortable space in the car

Create a designated “doggy area” in your vehicle with their bed, toys, and a few familiar items to help them feel at ease during the trip.

✔️Do some advanced planning

Prepare a “pup travel kit” with a first aid kit and a recent photo of your dog in case they get lost. Look up potential places to stop along the way to use the bathroom such as Lowe’s stores.

🚂 Traveling With Dogs By Train

Traveling by train can be a scenic or convenient alternative to flying or driving. However, policies for pets on trains vary. Amtrack, which is the most common train company in the US has different pet policies for different routes.

If you are in the US, train travel is typically only available for small dogs or dogs that can fit in a carrier. If you are travelling in Europe, many more train options will be available.

✔️Crate train and practice for trains

Practice short train rides with your dog before your trip to help them become familiar with the sounds and movements of a train.

✔️Prepare for bathroom needs

Research pet relief areas at train stations ahead of time, so you know where to take your dog for bathroom breaks during layovers or transfers. Often times train companies limit the duration your pet can stay on a train due to this issue.

Conclusion: Can You Still Travel If You Own A Dog?

Owning a dog doesn’t mean you have to give up your love for travel. With proper planning, research, and a bit of flexibility, you can continue exploring the world with your four-legged companion by your side.

I love to travel with my dogs, so I will go out of my way to plan trips in driving distance where they can come with us. One great thing about California is there is no shortage of dog-friendly destinations. The Cambria area is one of their favorites!

However, I also like to go to places like Bali where dogs are not allowed to visit and Japan where they are allowed, but the import requirements are prohibitive for a vacation. That’s where my toolkit of pet care options comes into play. My dogs do best if they can stay at home when we are gone. What about yours?

Whether you choose to bring your dog along or find a suitable care arrangement, the key is to prioritize your pet’s well-being and happiness, making every adventure enjoyable for both of you