10 Things to Consider Before Planning Your First Trip With Your Dog

It’s an age-old sentiment: our pets are our family. At SoulVenture, we believe this through and through. And, who better to travel with than your family? Your whole family – including the extra furry ones. As a group of dog lovers, and having traveled with our canine companions, we want to see others do the same! The first step in making this happen is asking yourself: am I ready to travel with my dog? To help answer this question, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things to consider before planning your first trip with your dog.

Dog-friendly hiking in the Badlands

1. Make sure your dog is ready for travel

The idea of exploring new places with your dog by your side may sound super exciting to you, but is it also exciting to your dog? It is important to consider that you will be going to unfamiliar places, meeting new people, spending an extended amount of time in a car or plane, and disrupting the normal routine – is your dog adaptable to these things? Some dogs get nervous in new environments or stressed out when their routine is disrupted – these are important things to take into account because, if you do travel together, you want to make sure your dog is actually enjoying themselves. If you are unsure of how your dog would do as a travel companion, we suggest starting with a few short day trips – drive to a state park a few hours away or spend the night at a friend’s house. If you end up deciding against travel with your dog, don’t stress about it! Travel is not for all dogs and luckily there are plenty of tools out there to help you make sure your pup has a comfortable staycation while you are away!

2. Choose a pet friendly destination

This may seem like a no-brainer, but planning a pet-friendly trip truly does take more foresight than just planning outdoor activities. Many national parks, nature preserves, and beaches do not allow dogs. Additionally, stopping at tourist attractions, museums, and restaurants will take more planning. You need to be prepared to spend all of your time with your dog without leaving them unattended or you’ll need to make plans with a pet sitter if you plan to do some human-only activities on your trip. We love using Rover when we travel to cities with our pets – that way we can do a variety of activities while our furry friends are well cared for. Keep an eye on our blog and newsletter for our favorite truly pet-friendly destinations, including Seattle and Mackinac Island.

Exploring one of the most dog-friendly getaways in the U.S., Mackinac Island, MI

3. Set your dog up for success

To make sure your trip is enjoyable for everyone, set up your dog for success by planning enough exercise and down time for them. We always add an extra hour or two during road trips for our dogs to stretch their legs. Many rural rest stops have trails or dog runs to utilize and we’ve enjoyed the journey to our destinations by stopping in small towns for a break from the car. Once you reach your destination and take off on hikes, walks downtown, and dinner on patios, also be mindful of your dog’s limits. We always plan midday naps and extra time between activities for our dogs to reset.

4. Consider your pet’s breed and weight when planning your trip

Every location, accommodation, and mode of transportation not only differs when it comes to overall dog-friendliness, they can also vary when it comes to the types of dogs they welcome. Unfortunately, some breeds are restricted at certain hotels and dogs over a certain weight cannot fly in airline cabins. Always check every leg of your trip to make sure your dog is able to come with you to every activity you have planned.

5. Be sure your pet is updated on all vaccinations and bring their vet records with you when you travel

Keeping your pet up-to-date on vaccinations and health checks will not only keep them healthy and happy, it will also ensure they have access to all of the dog-friendly spots you plan to visit. We recommend bringing both a printed and digital copy of their records – this way you will have them handy when gaining access to locations or be prepared to send them electronically to any accommodation hosts or pet sitters.

6. Be aware of canine illnesses

In line with making sure your pup has updated vaccinations, it is also important to be aware of any canine illnesses going around. The American Veterinary Medical Association has a comprehensive list of dog illnesses to be aware of in social settings. We always pack our favorite travel dog bowls so our dogs are not sharing communal bowls and we check the news for any canine disease alerts in the areas we are traveling to. Additionally, we always make sure to give our pups flea and tick prevention before embarking on our adventures and checking thoroughly for any pests trying to hitch a ride after outdoor activities.

7. Prep for your trip with some fun training sessions

You may have already determined that your pup is ready for travel – that’s great! Before you leave though, a little extra training will go a long way! Get yourself and your pup prepared by visiting a few restaurants to work on table manners, taking a few hikes to practice recall, or walking in busy neighborhoods in your city to practice obedience. Reinforcing good behavior is always important and will make your dog more comfortable when you hit the road.

Exploring the beaches of Washington state

8. Double check your pet’s packing list (and then check it again)

The first time you travel with your pet, packing may seem overwhelming, but, we promise, you will be a pro in no time! Here are some essentials we bring on every trip:

• Multiple leashes: standard 6 ft. leash, running leash, long line (for hiking and tie outs – we love this one from Mendota Pet – super durable and easy to clean)

• Collapsible water and food bowls

• Toys, balls, frisbees

• Grooming items, especially a brush and tweezers for checking for and removing ticks

• Medications

• Food and treats (we always make sure to bring lots of training treats to busy areas)

• Poop bags

• Extra towels

• Dog tracking collar, especially if you’re planning some big hikes

• Vet records – printed and digital copies

9. Download helpful pet travel apps

There are so many useful apps on the market nowadays, including apps perfect for dog travel! Here are a few of our favorites:

• Rover – we use this to find reliable pet care at home and in the cities we visit – perfect to use if you would like a dog-free day on your dog-friendly trip

• Sniffspot – this app connects you to private dog parks for rent – if your dog is reactive or they just need a space to stretch their legs, this is a great resource

• AllTrails – hikers may already be familiar with this app for finding trails, and it can also be used to find dog-friendly trails

• BringFido – this app helps you find all the dog-friendly things, from hotels to restaurants

10. Make one last round of phone calls before you leave

You can never be too prepared when traveling with your dog, and you never want to be “that person” on your trip and accidentally bring your pup into an area they’re not allowed. This may seem redundant, but we promise it’s worth it: call every transportation company, accommodation, restaurant, and park you plan to visit before you leave. We have made this a habit every time we travel, not only to triple check that our dogs are welcome, but also to make sure we are aware of any rules and regulations for them while we are there.

We hope this information has you feeling prepared to see new places with your best friend!