What To Do With Dog While Traveling
Tips for flying and driving with your furry friend, including advice on choosing between taking them along, hiring a pet sitter, or using a boarding facility. Learn how to make your trip stress-free for both you and your dog!
I love traveling and if I can take my pets with me, then I do! My oldest dog, Gigi, has flown over 100 times so she’s basically a professional. Freddie is our newest member of the family and he’s flown a lot now as well! The two of them have done several road trips as well, and they love to be included. When they can’t come on the trip, I have other options!
What To Do With Dog While Traveling
If you have a trip coming up and don’t know what to do with your dogs while you’re gone, I have a few options for you to consider.
1. Take Your Dog With You
Your dog can fly with you! This is my favorite option, personally. Freddie and Gigi fly with us quite frequently. I’ve flown with my dogs over 100 times so I have plenty of advice if you go this route. I’ve detailed my experience and advice in this blog post down below. If flying with your pup is too stressful, you can always change your itinerary to drive instead. Depending on how far the final destination is, it can be cheaper and easier to drive instead of fly in order to bring your furry friend.
Having them right by your side is of course the safest option. However, depending on your pet’s breed or age, you should consider if flying will work for them. If you have a larger dog, there are some more other options you can explore in order to fly with them.
In an ideal world, I’d bring my babies every time, however there are times when I can’t. I haven’t traveled out of the country with them or Hawaii – which is mostly due to the agriculture requirements.
2. Hire A Pet Sitter
If bringing your dog on the trip isn’t an option, hiring a dog sitter is the next best thing! I have the best pet sitter who I know I can always rely on. I reach out to my house sitter as soon as I know about the trip to ensure they don’t book another client. If you don’t know how to look for a pet sitter, I have a few tips! Because once you have a dog sitter, it makes so much easier and less stressful to leave your pet at home.
How To Find A Pet Sitter:
- Ask friends and family – sometimes your loved ones may be open to watching your pet, especially if they can do it in their own home. Be sure to pay them as you would a pet sitter so that they’ll want to help you again in the future.
- Ask around for recommendations – I found my pet sitter through one of my friends who I knew would have high standards for her pets. Ask your coworkers, neighbors, family etc. for a review on their sitter.
- Online – there are multiple apps for connecting you with local pet sitters. Websites include Rover and Care.com. There may be local companies in your area as well – just be sure to read reviews and use your internet safety skills! I’ve used Rover in the past and had decent experiences.
What To Consider When Looking For A Pet Sitter
There are so many friendly pet sitters out there, but there are 4 very crucial questions to ask your sitter before booking.
Their daily schedule – another important thing to consider is how much time they’ll spend with your dogs. My dogs have a lot of energy and want all of the attention they can get. So I always ask how much time the sitter plans to spend with my pets, and if they’re gone too much throughout the day then it might not be the right fit.
Your home or theirs – you’ll need to decide whether you want your pets taken care of in your home or at the pet sitter’s. My dogs definitely do better in the comfort of their home and I always need a sitter for my cat anyway, so it’s important to me that the sitter is okay with that.
Other animals – if you do allow your pets to go to their home, be sure to ask if there will be other pets and consider if you’re okay with that. For example, if they have dogs and you know yours isn’t the most friendly, then you should reconsider.
Overnight care – if your dogs need a sitter to be with them overnight, make sure your sitter is aware. If your dog wants to be in the bed at night with them, that’s another thing you should mention.
Pro tips: always be sure to leave your dog sitter with an emergency contact, such as your partner or family member, in case the sitter can’t reach you while you’re away. You should also inquire them for their address and phone number (address if they’re taking them to their home).
3. Board Your Dogs At A Local Facility
If none of the above options work for you, there is a 3rd option. You can leave your dog at a local boarding facility, Make sure to do thorough research on the place and read reviews – keep your eye out for any negative comments because you need to know the bad stuff. This option is riskier due to your dog’s potential exposure to aggressive dogs and disease from other dogs. Many dogs thrive in a space like this, such as hyper, friendly, and social dogs. But you should have a good understanding of your dog’s temperament to predict how they’d handle a boarding facility, because not all dogs would enjoy this very much.
How To Travel With Your Dog
How To Fly With Your Dog
1. Travel Arrangements
According to most airlines, if your pet can travel in a carrier under the seat then they’ll be accepted on board. Before booking your flight, make sure these rules apply to the airline you’re considering. Once the flights are booked, you should call the airline and reserve your pet’s spot. You aren’t reserving a seat for them – this isn’t allowed – but only a few animals are allowed on one flight so you want to make sure your pet is on the list right away. I’ve never been too late to reserve a spot so your chances of making the list are usually pretty good.
You won’t pay the pet fee until you arrive at the airport, which is typically $100-$125 each way. If you have a connecting flight, you won’t be charged the fee twice. Typically, it’s only one pet per passenger, which means my husband – or another friend – must be with me to claim one of the dogs as their own. Don’t forget that your pet will count as your personal item on the plane, which means you can’t bring another bag to put under the seat with them.
Pre-Airport Check List:
- Book your flights as usual
- Call the airline to reserve your pet’s spot on the plane each way
- Research the airline to see what pet paperwork is needed
- Contact your vet for the paperwork, if necessary
- Find a carrier and test if your pet fits in it comfortably
If your dog is too big to be in a carrier under the seat, you can reach out to multiple airlines to compare their special accommodations. It’s rare to find a an airline that will allow you to purchase a seat for your pet, but it’s worth looking into if this is something you’re interested in.
2. Pet Paperwork
It’s different per each airline, but sometimes they require your pet to be accompanied by specific paperwork such as proof of vaccinations or even a health certificate. You can have your vet email you a proof of vaccinations, however a health certificate requires a vet appointment within 2 weeks of the trip so they can be properly assessed. Sometimes it can take a couple days to print the certificate or to get an appointment in general, so you should book in advance to find a perfect day for you. Be sure to take a picture of everything in case you misplace it, and then pack it in an easy-to-access spot.
3. Carrier
Your pet must fit in a 18x11x11 carrier that fits under the seat at your feet. Your dog should be able to stand up and turn around in. You can also buy an expandable version, like mine, for waiting in the airport and once you’re seated! Their carrier should be breathable and comfortable for your fur baby.
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4. Pre-Flight
Pre-Airport Walk
If your dog gets too hot or stressed, you can try giving your pup calming treats – or even ask your vet for something stronger, such as sedatives. I try to get Freddie & Gigi’s energy out prior to the flight by taking them on a long walk before we leave for the airport. Ideally they’ll get most of their potties out during the walk as well.
Check-In
When you first arrive at the airport, you must go to the check-in desk – where you check your baggage – and put your dog in the carrier to show they fit. Here is where you’ll pay for your pet’s one-way flight and get your physical boarding pass.
Security
Once you have your boarding pass, you’ll wait in line at the TSA security check-point as usual. Once you’ve placed your luggage and items on the conveyor belt, you will place the carrier on the conveyor belt, with your pet on a leash by your side. A TSA agent should direct you through a separate metal detector that’s safe for pets.
Pre-Flight
Your pet is free to roam on a leash until right before you board. I do my best to walk them around as much as I can. We also take a pit stop at the pet relief stations. Check your airport maps to find the locations. Be sure to also offer them water while you wait to board the plane, as it can be harder to give them water on flight.
I bring this dog water bottle and fill it at the water fountain once I’m through TSA! I also like to pack this reusable snack bag with their favorite treats to reward them for being well-behaved. If I have a connecting flight, I sort of repeat this method by running around with them for a bit, and then offering water and the chance to use the relief station.
Boarding
I try to board last so they can have as much time out of the carrier as possible! Once you’re on the plane, their carrier should be fully under the seat and if you have an expandable carrier now is the time to unzip the sides and let them sprawl out a little more.
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5. On-Flight
You can make this experience more enjoyable for them by putting non-noisy toys, such as bones, and treats into the carrier. You can bring them travel peanut butter to let them lick if they get overly stressed at any point – specifically during takeoff or when you first put them into the bag.
If your dog gets hot, you can bring a handheld fan to cool them down if they need it at any point. Some dogs may find taking off stressful, so fanning them may help.
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How To Road Trip With Your Dog
1. Before The Trip
Prepare the car for your pets by clipping in their car seat and packing all of their belongings. A car seat can keep them safe and comfortable, so I always put my dogs into theirs.
Packing List:
- Car seat
- Dog food
- Treats and toys
- Water bottle
- Travel food bowl
- Leash and harness
- Dog wipes & grooming tools
- Cooler for fresh dog food
- Poo bags
- Fan – if there isn’t enough airflow to the back seat
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2. On The Road
Be sure to make enough pit stops every now and then so they can relieve themselves and have some water. My pet travel water bottle also allows them to drink water while you’re on the road. You can give your dog treats throughout the car trip to encourage their good behavior and to calm them down, if necessary.
I like to give my dogs longer lasting treats to keep them busy, such as bones and cow ears. I always give them new toys or their favorite toys in the car too so they can entertain themselves – but usually Freddie and Gigi are pretty entertained by each other! If your pet gets really warm, you should consider a portable fan or window shade if they’re seated in an area without a lot of air flow.
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