Tips for Taking Your Dogs on Vacation

Tips for Traveling with Your Dog

How do you take a pet on vacation? Whether you’re staying at a vacation rental, a hotel, or visiting relatives, bringing furry friends on trips means lots of planning and arranging logistics. 

Depending on your means of transportation and how far you travel, your arrangements will be more or less complex.

Discover tips for making trips with pets easier from professionals who travel with their dogs both near and far.

Families Traveling With Dogs

Meet The Price Family

Abby Price and her husband of Summit Skier have been skiing together for a decade. Whenever they hit the slopes or go on vacation, their Black Labrador Retriever, Clover, makes the trip too, criss-crossing the country with the Prices to visit an impressive 47 states (and counting!).

Abby shares, “We’ve gone to hiking trips, ski trips, beach vacations, stay-cations, lake retreats, and pretty much anything in between.”

Meet The Powell Family

Jeff Powell is the creator and CEO of two travel blogs, Smoky Mountains Ventures and National Park Ventures. He also creates custom travel itineraries for travelers to the Smoky Mountains. Jeff and his wife Mary Ellen travel with two small dogs, Tallulah and Fiona. They are both poodle/chihuahua mixes. “We call them ‘Poohuahuas!'” he beams.

In 2024, the Powells took Tallulah and Fiona to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (four times), Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, and Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis.

Meet the Jarvis Family

Dawna Jarvis, owner, business growth strategist and public relations professional at Dawna Jarvis, adopted her family’s Husky/Swiss Shepherd mix, Ghost, when he was one year old.

She writes, “We’ve taken Ghost everywhere!” Dawna’s family has enjoyed a variety of vacations with Ghost in California, including ski trips to California’s Mammoth Mountain, Big Bear, and summer vacations in Bass Lake and Yosemite. We’ve also vacationed on the lakes of New Hampshire, such as Lake Sunapee, Lake Winnipesaukee, and Ossipee Lake, where we’d go boating. He’s been to Indiana to visit my family and on snowmobile trips to Back Lake, Pittsburgh, NH. I think his favorite trips are definitely the ones in the snow!”

Meet the Nixon Family

Steve Nixon, a jazz and blues piano artist, is the founder of FreeJazzLessons.com. Music has been a vehicle for so much in his life, including how he met his wife! Steve writes, “I have been fortunate to have traveled around the globe, and animals tend to join me.”

Through trial and error, Steve has discovered tips to make pet travel less stressful.

Meet Luiz Alberto Hupsel Vaz

Luiz Alberto Hupsel Vaz, an editor at Famvia Travel, travels with his dog when visiting his girlfriend who lives about 45 minutes away by plane.

“Sure, it’s not a long flight, but I still need to take the necessary precautions when bringing my pet with me. She is a cute 6-year-old Chihuahua named Zelda, and I always want to give her the best!”

Meet Sebastian Garrido

Sebastian Garrido is the Digital Marketing Manager at Vibe Adventures, a travel agency based in Mexico City. Sebastian used to travel with his Yorkshire Terrier, Rex. On their adventures, they traveled to Cancun, Los Cabos, Tulum, Cuernavaca, Valle de Bravo, Guadalajara, and Puerto Escondido.

Rex passed away in October 2024, but the memories of his beloved Yorkie remain near and dear to Sebastian.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

What’s the best way to travel with dogs?

The Prices mainly go on road trips with their dog and love using a car as their primary mode of transportation because it allows them to pull over frequently for feeding, potty breaks, and more.

Traveling by car is par for the course for the Powells. Jeff reveals, “It’s just easier for us. It is much less expensive than flying with them, and it’s easier on them. We can stop when we need to for water or potty breaks. They mostly just curl up on the back seat and sleep the whole time.”

The Jarvis’ also drive, except for that one time… Dawna recalls, “All our New Hampshire trips were before 2020 when we moved to California. Ghost and my husband actually drove across the country during Covid (we couldn’t get him a flight).”

Sebastian shares of traveling with Rex, “I used planes and automobiles. He was little so I could get a permit to take him onboard with me, but of course, it was always better to go by car because he wouldn’t get vertigo.”

While traveling by car appears the best way to travel with dogs, there can be drawbacks. “One downside is that we lose a lot of packing space. We have to take their crates, which take up a lot of space, and since the dogs take up the whole back seat, we also lose that space,” Jeff says.

When it comes to flying with his dog, Luiz Alberto has got the routine down pat. He writes, “One week before my trip, I usually take Zelda to the vet. Most airlines might require you to have a document signed by a veterinarian stating that your pet is fit to fly, so it’s always a good idea to visit a vet a few days before your departure. You might also get some extra tips, and your vet may suggest medication to help keep your pet calm during the flight.”

Is your pet small like Zelda?

Luiz Alberto suggests that most airlines will allow you to bring your small pet with you inside the cabin.

He says, “I highly recommend this, as you can keep your pet inside a carrier and stay close to them for the entire trip. These carriers are widely available online, but be sure to check your airline’s website for specific size requirements. Bringing your pet inside the cabin usually comes with an extra fee, which varies by airline. To make your pet feel more comfortable, place some of their favorite toys inside the carrier.”

Luiz Alberto packs a few essentials in his bag when traveling with Zelda, including pee pads. He usually packs just one or two and buys most of what Zelda needs after arriving at his destination.

He recommends saving a pee pad for arriving at the hotel, stating, “It’s good to have one on hand to place in the room as soon as I arrive, so my pet can relieve themselves and feel more at ease. I also learned to bring Zelda’s own water and food bowls from home so she feels more comfortable eating and drinking than with new bowls I buy during my travels.”

Most Pet-Friendly Places

“The most pet-friendly place I’ve ever been is Glenwood Springs, Colorado near Aspen! Our hotel was super dog-friendly and even gave us a room on the bottom floor with a sliding glass door that led to the courtyard so it was easy to take her outside. Many of the restaurants and breweries in town had outdoor seating so she could come with us. Plus, it was close to Aspen so we were able to take her into town with us!” – Abby

“The Maple Retreat at Park Mammoth is an excellent dog-friendly choice for travelers to Mammoth Cave National Park. It is a neighborhood of tiny cabins on the outskirts of Park City, KY, about 20 minutes from the national park. We liked that it was wooded, with plenty of areas to walk the dogs. We were in our own cabin (as opposed to a hotel room), so if the dogs barked, it would not disturb our neighbors. The floors were wooden, so accidents were easily cleaned up.” – Jeff

“San Diego might be the most friendly place we’ve stayed. You can bring your dog literally everywhere, and there are even dog-friendly beaches – Ghost had a blast there!” – Dawna

Least Pet-Friendly Places

“I would discourage pet owners from staying in high-rise buildings. We’ve done this before and it makes exercise and bathroom breaks a bit more complicated.” – Abby

“Cabins are a good choice for travelers with dogs. Hotels, however, can be challenging for dogs. Guests walking past your door might cause the dogs to bark, and their barking might disturb your ‘neighbors.’ Hotel rooms are usually carpeted, making messes more challenging to clean up. Plus, the spots set aside for dogs at hotels are often quite small and not well-maintained, making for an unpleasant experience for both dog and owner. When we do stay in a hotel, it’s usually a Hilton Garden Inn or Hampton Inn. They are dog-friendly, and their pet fees are relatively inexpensive.” – Jeff

“National Parks might be the hardest. So many rules, and there are lots of areas where dogs aren’t allowed. That made it really challenging for us when visiting Yosemite.” – Dawna

Challenging Aspects of Travel with Dogs

“A challenging aspect of traveling with a pet can be meals. You don’t want to leave your animal in the car, and sometimes you just don’t want fast-food, so planning in advance is key!”- Abby

“Bringing along the dogs means planning your schedule around them. They must be walked and fed, then walked and fed some more. Leaving them alone in the room while we’re out exploring for 10 hours is not fair to them.” – Jeff

“The space he takes up in the car! We have two boys (Jack, 9 and Chace, 16), and Ghost is about 120 lbs himself. He loves to sit in the back seat by the window vs. the 3rd row LOL. And his fur is SOOOO bad – it gets everywhere!” – Dawna

Hindsight is 20/20: What I’d Do Differently Traveling with Pets

“I’m pretty experienced when it comes to traveling with a pet now. But looking back on our first few trips, I wish I would’ve planned out our road trip stops a little better. I always love gas stations that offer dog park areas and recommend pet owners do their research in advance so that your dog can stay happy on the road.” – Abby

“Keep leashes, dog bowls, water, and food where they are easy for you to get to when traveling by car. Otherwise, when you want to take your dog for a walk or give it water at a rest stop, you will find yourself unpacking your trunk while wondering where you put the leashes and bowls!” – Jeff

“The additional cleaning fees, especially through Airbnb (though hotels can be the same) – remember to check the fine print! Recently, we rented a pet-friendly suite in Vegas, not realizing the pet fee was $150 per night, not for the entire stay.” – Dawna

“If only someone had instructed me sooner on how crucial it is for them to have their space, no matter where we may be. It is greater than simply having food and toys.” – Steve

Must-Haves for Traveling with Pets

“I love a vacation rental with a fenced in yard. If we’re in a city or it’s cheaper to stay in a hotel, I like to look for hotels that are known for being dog-friendly!” – Abby

“Mostly if they’re pet friendly and have a fenced-in yard. Ghost is an escape artist, and losing him on vacation would be awful!” – Dawna

“I always take their favorite blanket or bed and position them in their favorite spot. Doing so makes them feel settled and life is better for both of us.” – Steve

Tips For Being a Good Guest with Pets

“My best tip for being a good guest with a pet is traveling with their crate and using that if you need to leave for a bit. Another tip is keeping pets off the furniture.” – Abby

“Take care of your pet’s needs. If it is fed on time, walked on time, and not left alone longer than usual, it will probably just curl up and sleep while you are out exploring. Always keep your dog leashed when out in public. This will keep your pet safe and make the people around you feel more at ease.” – Jeff

“Always pick up after your dog outside. Try to keep them off the furniture, and if they have vacuums (usually Airbnbs do), I try to keep up with Ghost’s crazy amounts of fur. If your dog is destructive, bring a crate. We don’t have to deal with this now, but I have in the past with other dogs.” – Dawna

“When I visit such places as hotels or friends’ houses, I am considerate. I keep my animals safe and ensure they do not intrude, and I bring cleaning materials to leave places spick and span. Being considerate makes everyone pleased to have animals around.” – Steve

How To Make Travel a Little Bit Easier with Pets

“To make travel a bit easier we invested in a small bag that is for our dog! We keep her toys, treats, bones, extra water, etc. in there. It makes it so easy knowing where everything is.” – Abby

“A dog’s life revolves around its nose, so we surround them with familiar scents while traveling – their favorite blankets, toys, etc. They get their favorite snacks while riding in the back seat.” – Jeff

“Being a Husky, his recall isn’t the best. We got Ghost a remote collar and trained him to come back when it beeps or vibrates. This way he can swim freely in the lakes and ocean and run free in the snow!” – Dawna

“Plans do not always pan out, and having options is better. I always check for parks and hiking trails in the surrounding areas where animals can visit, in case breaks have to be taken. Having animals on trips requires more planning, but if you ensure they are fine and prepare in advance, having them is enjoyable and rewarding.” – Steve

Finding Pet-Friendly Cabins

If you’re looking for a place to stay with your dog, there are lots of places on Lake.com ready to accommodate you and your furry family members!

Most vacation rentals allow only dogs, but some are open to cats. Beyond cats and dogs, ask the homeowner or property manager if your pet’s species qualifies to stay. For example, you probably won’t be able to bring your Bearded Dragon and its massive tank, heating lamps, and supply of live crickets with you, but might find your hamster in its cage is welcome.

Make sure you read the house rules for pets and pick the ones that can accommodate your pet, such as size, weight, coat (shedding is a consideration for cleaning), or breed. 

Some of the most suitable vacation rentals to stay with dogs include cabins, where you have some privacy, and vacation homes with fenced-in backyards.