Did you know that it’s possible to go on an epic road trip with a dog? To be honest, I never thought I’d ever embark on multiple road trips with different dogs in tow. But I guess that’s how life goes, right?
While planning a road trip in it of itself can be a little daunting your first time (or even first couple of times), there’s no reason bringing along your fur baby should add to the stress.
There are a few things to keep in mind when planning a road trip with a dog – from what to pack, how to attend to their needs, and how to make sure you both have an amazing experience.
Read below for my practical tips to enjoy your next road trip with a dog!
Tip #1: Pack Smart for Your Road Trip with a Dog
Set yourself up for success and smooth-sailing. Make a list of items that you use for your dog before you take off on your adventure, the same way you would prepare your own personal packing list.
Related: The ULTIMATE Road Trip Packing Guide
Food: It’s always a good idea to pack a little extra for your dog, typically about 2 days worth. If your dog is on a special diet or only eats a specific brand, it might be difficult to find on the road. Also, in case your road trip is delayed or you experience an emergency (like running out of gas), you want to be prepared.
Water: Bring a dog-only reusable water bottle so you don’t have to take from the people-supply. Having a dedicated water bottle for your dog will help you remember how much they’re drinking as well. You always want to make sure your dog has access to water, no matter their level of activity during the day or trip.
Expandable bowls: Packing an expandable bowl or two cuts down on packing space and are typically easier to clean than the bigger, hard-shelled bowls. Plus, you’re usually able to wedge them into an immovable spot in your car while on the road. Also – a lot of the expandable bowls will have a carabiner that you can hook to their leash or harness to have with you.
Bones and treats: Unless you go on a road trip with a dog all the time, you’ll be putting your dog into a new situation. Having some treats and bones on-hand will help to reward them for being a good boy or good girl.
Toys: Just like kids (and a lot of adults), dogs like to play. They don’t have the ability to scroll through social media or watch movies in the car, so having a few small toys around will help them stay sane. Keep in mind that the toys should be able to last the length of your trip. Our old family dog, Buddy, liked to gut stuffed animals to find the squeaker inside. Needless to say, tennis balls were his friends on road trips.
Bed: Having a bed from home will make your overnight stays and down-time more relaxing for both you and your dog. Even if your dog sleeps in your bed with you at night, having a familiar bed around will help with any anxiety, especially if you leave your dog at any point during your trip.
*If you have a large dog, and naturally a large bed, consider the space and make the personal call if there’s enough room to bring it along.
Poop bags: Did you know that everybody poops? Even dogs? If you’ve been around any dog for any stretch of time, you know that poop happens. Have some dedicated poop bags on-hand and easily accessible. I’d suggest purchasing a small carrier that can attach to their leash, so you don’t have to do the poop bag shuffle. You can also use bags you accumulate during your road trip, but better not chance it.
Harness: Even if your dog isn’t a runner and you don’t regularly use one at home, having a harness will help you maintain control of your dog when he/she gets spooked or over-stimulated by something you might come across.
SQUIRREL!!
Leash: It’s always the simplest items that get left behind. Have a sturdy leash or two with you at all times. If you go hiking, trails that are dog-friendly will almost always require a leash. And might I recommend a thick leash – not the flimsy retractable ones?
Blanket: Especially if you’re going to be in a colder area, having a blanket to make a doggo burrito is quite handy. Plus, if they happen to get away from you and, say, fall into a frozen lake, you’ll want to have something warm to dry them off and keep them from freezing. See tip #3 below for more information.
Tip #2: Keep Up-to-Date Documentation with You
Make sure your dog’s tags have all the correct information on them, just in case your dog gets away or lost. If you’re going to be crossing international borders, have your dog’s rabies’ vaccination documentation handy. They might ask you for it at the border (they just asked us if we had it at the Canadian border, but we had it ready with our passports). Taking it a step further, having a complete record of your dog’s medical history/vaccination record would be handy, especially if they get sick or have to be boarded at any point.
Tip #3: Keep Your Dog Comfortable
Let’s face it: nobody likes to be uncomfortable in the car for extended periods of time. Sure, we can rough it for an hour or so as humans, because we can understand reasoning, cause and effect, and have the ability to ask questions. Dogs? Not so much.
Potty Breaks: Do NOT push it with the space between potty breaks. Our family dog Sonny has been on a few long road trips with me. During the road trips, I have to stop every 2 hours to let him out to pee. As annoying as it can be for the driver, stopping multiple times is a much better alternative to a smelly, wet car.
Dedicated Space: Create a little dedicated space for your dog in the car during your road trip. Whether it’s a full backseat or a extended floor space, keep the space free of everything but dog items. You don’t want to pack your car to the brim and then shove your dog in between suitcases with hardly enough room to move. Your dog will need space to stretch out and lay down. During our most recent venture, Haley had 2/3 of the backseat and we used a thick blanket to indicate “her space” from our luggage.
Zoomies: Before heading out for a long stretch of highway, make sure you play with your dog to get their zoomies out. If you’re staying in a city overnight, check out the local dog park and toss a ball around. In Calgary, we were fortunate to have a little backyard that was perfect for fetch! Let me tell ya – the ride after getting Haley’s zoomies out was magical. She was so wiped and slept most of the ride.
Leaving Your Dog: If you need some alone time away from your dog, make sure that they’re as comfortable as can be. If you’re leaving them in a hotel room or AirBnB, consider leaving on the TV or radio. Leave them some toys, a bed, food and water, or even a treat. If it’s cold outside and you’re driving with your windows down to get some epic pictures, create a doggo burrito!
REMEMBER: NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A HOT CAR!
Tip #4: Know the Local Regulations BEFORE the Road Trip with a Dog
Doing some research ahead of time will save you heartache and stress during your road trip with a dog. If you’re heading to a national park and want to take your dog on some hikes, make sure you know which ones are pet-friendly.
Are you heading to a destination with wild animals, such as bears, bison, and moose? Consider keeping your dog close by and not letting them off-leash. When taking Haley to Canada, Ashley and I had to be extra-careful when we were in areas with reported bear activity.
Tip #5: Understand Your Dog’s Limits
If you haven’t gone on a road trip with your dog before, maybe test the waters a little bit. Make sure your dog is well-behaved in the car and doesn’t try to get out and distract the driver. Try a short car trip (2 hours) and see how your dog reacts. If your dog constantly whines, can’t settle down, or acts erratically, maybe taking a road trip with your fur baby isn’t right for you. Your dog is a living, breathing being, not a prop for your pictures at their expense.
Consider traveling with another person to help split up the driving, picture-taking, and dog-tending. It can make a world of difference!
Tip #6: Have Fun!
Take pictures. Go on walks. Play with your dog. The point of going on a road trip with a dog is to have a mutually amazing experience. Check out the local dog park and throw a ball around. Build those memories!
Have you ever gone on a road trip with a dog? What tips would you add?
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