Traveling With Dogs

It’s summer, the perfect time to travel! 

You might be considering bringing your dog with you on your next trip. For some dogs, it is a great solution! But for other dogs, you may want to pause and consider what’s best for them. Deciding whether or not your pup should join you on a big adventure can be tricky – but don’t worry, the dog training team at Sit Means Sit Portland is here to help.

Here are a few questions to help with your decision:

Does your dog enjoy traveling? 

While a road trip with your dog might sound fun for you, not all dogs appreciate being far from home, breaking up their routine, or visiting new people and places. The stress of travel can really weigh on dogs who aren’t ready to embrace a new adventure.

Are you prepared for takeoff?

Flying with a dog is much more complex than flying as a human passenger. There are a lot of requirements, and depending on where you are flying, some of the process may need to be done weeks or months prior to the day of the flight. Make sure to double check what is or isn’t allowed on the plane before takeoff.

Also, if you’re expecting the airline to let your dog sit in the cabin beside you, think again! Most airlines do not allow pets in the cabin, which means your pet will need to ride in the cargo hold. You may want to consider if that level of stress is worth bringing your dog with you, especially if your dog is not crate trained.

Is the destination actually pet friendly? 

This means more than just if they allow pets. Will they charge an additional fee per dog? Will you be on the 100th floor, and what will you do when it’s time for Fido to go potty? Will Fido bark when you are away, or will you be able to take them with you?

What will Fido do while you’re there?

Lastly, have a plan for how you will manage your dog once you arrive at your destination. Your dog’s behavior in your own home does not guarantee how they will behave in a new and strange environment. Dogs may behave unpredictably in new situations and when stressed. A dog that does not have accidents may relieve himself unexpectedly on your mother-in-law’s Christmas tree, a dog that is typically friendly with new dogs may not respond well to your brother’s new puppy getting in their face upon first meeting, and a dog that can normally be left out of their crate at home may become destructive when left alone in a hotel room. When in doubt, be proactive. Plan to use a lot of structure, training skills, and preventative methods to keep your dog out of trouble and ensure a pleasant trip. If you’ll be driving, make sure to check out our car safety tips for dogs!

Whether you are going to take your pup along or leave them behind, traveling with dogs requires some degree of planning and know-how.

Regardless of what you decide, get your pet microchipped, update the contact info, and have your dog wear a slip-proof collar, like a martingale collar, with updated contact info on the tags – better safe than sorry!