Holidays with dogs: how to travel on vacation with your dog

Around the holidays a lot of people travel to see friends and family. A dilemma that many of us become faced with is what to do with our furry or four-legged ‘family’ members while we do these annual visits. Many people will opt for a pet-sitter, or a high-end boarding facility to care for their dogs while they are gone, but for others (especially those with pet-friendly acquaintances) they prefer to bring them along.

Obviously, traveling with your dog can present a unique set of challenges that will vary depending on your method of travel. In some cases you may need a specific crate or carrier for your dog. Other times, like if you’re riding in your own car, there may just be some safety measures that you should adhere to.

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No matter which way you decide to travel, there are a number of precautions that you’ll need to take to ensure your dog’s safety on the trip. You’ll also want to consider your choices for lodging. Not everyone welcomes house guests who bring their canine companions along.

Holidays with Dogs: How to Travel on Vacation with Your Dog

Identification

There is something that is of equal importance, no matter what method you choose to travel by, and that is your dog’s identification! Whether you are traveling privately in your own vehicle, or on some form of public transportation (bus, boat, train or plane), accidents can happen.

Something that is sure to ruin your holiday travels is the tragedy of losing a beloved family member.

Make sure that your dog has a collar and ID tags with your name and most up-to-date address, phone number (more than one if possible), and any other important information. If your pup has any medical needs, it would be best to have a tag stating those as well. Now is also a wonderful time to make sure you have your pet microchipped.

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Along the same train of thought that accidents can happen to allow your pet to be lost in the first place, collars (and ID tags) can be lost, slipped, or broken off.

While a microchip is not something that would be immediately visible to the naked eye of a ‘good Samaritan’, they are common enough that most people would take your pooch somewhere to be scanned for one.

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Scanning for a microchip is also the first thing an animal shelter or rescue would do on intake if your beloved pet were to end up there after being lost.

Travel in your Private Vehicle

Traveling in your own private vehicle is one of the ways that is perhaps easiest on most dogs. They will generally be in eye-sight range of you at all times, and you can customize your trip around your dog’s (and your) bathroom break and snack needs. Most dogs tend to have less anxiety while traveling by car than by plane, train or boat.

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Video: Pet travel - how to take your animal on holiday abroad.

When traveling with your dog in a vehicle, it is recommended that you have him secured in some way. A lot of people will just let their dog loose in the car, but that really isn’t the best way to ensure safety for you, your pet and your passengers while traveling.

If you were to get into an accident, an animal’s risk of injury is higher if he is not restrained or contained. He could also escape the vehicle in the shuffle after an accident. If your dog isn’t restrained, he could even slip out while you hop out for gas, or to use the bathroom.

There are generally two options for containing your pup while traveling in your vehicle.

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