9 Amazingly Helpful Tips Before Traveling With Your Dog

By Dutch Norwegian CoupleTravel

Traveling with your dog has become more and more popular over the years. Are you one of those who wants to take your furry little friend with you on vacation? We know that most people tend to only take their dogs with them when traveling inside their own country. With the situation in the world today, we know that traveling inside your own country will be the only option for a while. And maybe that will boost the number of traveling dogs. We’ll here give you 9 tips you should know before traveling with your dog. In your own country. Or later, when traveling the world will be possible again. We’ve taken our dog with us all through Europe. We’ve done a road trip with her. And flown with her many times since she was a puppy. Continue reading to learn what you should know before traveling with your dog!

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Check Your Dog’s Health

First of all, if you’re planning to travel with your dog you need to make sure that your dog’s health is good. Go to your veterinarian. Tell them where you plan to take your dog. And make sure they approve of your dogs condition. Keep in mind that puppies have to be 12 weeks before they can travel outside of the country you live.

Practice Longer Drives

Are you planning to take your dog on a road trip? Before you leave it’s smart to practice longer drives with your dog. To make sure your dog will be okey with it. You should start with shorter drives. And then gradually take longer and longer drives with your dog. Our dog is actually better at longer drives than short ones. She almost always gets a bit stressed out in the beginning. So on short drives she often seems to not be able to calm down. Longer drives are better, then she relaxes after some time and are okey with it.

Regulations EU

Are you planning to travel inside your own country? Or going on a longer trip? Either you’re taking your dog on a plane to other countries. Or are going on a road trip. You always have to check the regulations in the country you are planning to visit. In EU we have the possibility to get our dog a passport and a chip. That way you are allowed to take your dog across boarders without quarantine or any other problems. Of course you should check the regulations in each and every country. Many require that the dog gets dewormed. And that they has a vaccination against rabies. This all needs to be documented in their passports.

When it comes to traveling with your dog to US or other countries we don’t have that much knowledge. But, as far as we know the rules are not that different.

Pack A “Doggy-Bag”

You are getting closer to your departure day. You need to pack for yourself. And you need to pack for your little best friend. So what do you actually need to pack? All essentials for everyday dog-life needs to come. That means enough food for the whole trip. Plus some extra just in case. Your dogs water and food-bowls. Your dogs bed. Or a comfortable crate. The leash you normally use. And possible some leashes more fit for hiking and stuff like that. Treats. Lots of treats. Your dog deserves to get something delicious after doing good in the car, on a plane or on a hike right? Your dogs brush, toothbrush, nail clippers and things like that should also be packed. Depending on the weather and season, you should pack a rain-resistant jacket- if you have a dog that normally uses this.

Other things that you absolutely have to pack are bandages in case your dog hurts his paws. And scissors. You never know what can happen, and you don’t want to be un-prepared.

How To Make It Fun For Your Best Friend

We humans love our dogs so much that of course we want to take them with us when we go on vacation. Leaving them at home just feels so wrong! But how can we make it fun for them? Of course dogs are the most loving creatures. And loves their owners more than anything. And are happy. Smiling. And ready for anything. As long as they are with us, right? But, still it’s important to make the vacation fun for them as well. Make sure they feel safe. Make sure they sleep good. Eat good. And that they are happy wherever you take them. Make sure to give enough kisses. Make sure there are enough play-time. Make sure you don’t drive too long at the time. Give them time to rest and sleep during the day just like at home. Make sure your dog don’t get too hot, or too cold! Make sure your dog drinks enough. Ice cubes are a great winner for our dog in the summer time.

Make It Comfortable

Dogs like to relax. Even the most active ones likes to relax. After hours of doing stuff with you, it’s important that your dog has a comfortable place to sleep and lay down. Just like at home. And in the car as well if you’re on a road trip with your dog.

Most Dog Friendly Countries In Europe

Europe is one of the most dog-friendly places to travel with your dog. All though all of them are not equally dog-friendly. These countries are on the top list of dog-friendly countries: The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Belgium and Austria. We’ve taken our dog to all these countries. And are really, really happy with the dog-friendly atmosphere in all of these countries. More or less everywhere you’re allowed to take your dog. Taking her into restaurants and public transport was also no problem. Italy, Germany, Switzerland and France are also very dog-friendly countries. In Norway where we live, you’re almost never allowed to take a dog into a restaurant. But, still its quite dog friendly here because we do a lot of activities outdoors. And the dogs can then join on everything we do. And, dogs are mostly allowed in the out-door area of restaurants. That makes it easier in the summer time when you can sit outside.

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Where To Stay

When we first traveled with our dog, we didn’t know how easy or hard it would be. It turned out to be no problem at all. Since all the countries we travelled to where even more dog friendly than where we live. It doesn’t matter what type of accommodation that’s your cup of tea. Hotels.com are a great place to search for all kinds of accommodations. Just tick off “Pet Friendly” and you’ll see only accommodations that’s suitable for you. If you’re traveling with a camper or a caravan you’ll have no problems finding suitable campsites. If you want to stay in a hotel, a airbnb or a bed and breakfast – you’ll find more than enough choices in and outside all big cities in Europe. We’ve used Ibis Hotels a lot because they are dog friendly, has great locations and are cheap. Check out Ibis Praha Wanceslas Square which we stayed in when we visited Prague.

Best Activities Traveling With A Dog

What are the best activities when traveling with a dog? Of course, that’s all activities that are outdoors! We use much more time outside than normal when we are on vacation. And that’s awesome for our furry friends. Just make sure they don’t get too warm in the summer or too cold in the winter, as we’ve mentioned before. We love to go hiking, exploring or sightseeing by foot together with our dog when we travel. We also love taking her to the beach in the summer. And enjoying lazy days just being together all of us. In the winter we often take her Cross-country skiing. Or making snow-castles and snowmen. She loves everything as long as she’s with us!

Did you like our little guide on traveling with your dog? We hope you found some useful tips. Or got inspired to taking your dog with you if you just stumbled into this post. Anyhow, we love you for reading! Leave a comment and tell us what you think!