Vacationing with your pet can be a wonderful and rewarding experience. It just takes some planning and precautions. Here are some tips to get everyone off to a great start this summer.

By Car
If your dog is not used to travel by car, take your dog on short trips before you leave on vacation. Plan to stop every few hours for water, a walk and potty breaks. Always travel with a crate, seat belt or similar restraint for safety. Your dog will feel secure in the crate despite being in unfamiliar surroundings. Never leave your dog unattended or in a hot car. Proper ventilation is always important for travelling pets. Be sure you have plenty of paper towels for cleaning up in case your dog gets car sick. Do not feed your dog or give water for about two hours before you start your trip. Consult your vet well before you leave if your pet has a tendency to get carsick or have problems travelling in a moving vehicle. Taking your dog for a walk before you leave can be very calming. Take favorite toys and chews to keep your dog happy, but do not allow unsupervised chewing.

By Plane
Flying with your dog can be a great and fun experience if you plan ahead, ask a lot of questions and start early to prepare your dog.

In the U.S., service animals travel free of charge on most airlines and include guide dogs, signal dogs and assistance dogs. You may need proof of disability. When traveling to other countries check the local regulations in regard to service dogs. Be sure you start your preparations well ahead of your scheduled trip. Consult your veterinarian a before you leave. Get a current health certificate for your dog, a copy of immunizations and an updated certificate of vaccinations. Some county and national park officials as well as border patrols may require proof of health certificate. Be sure you are informed of any quarantine restrictions if you are travelling internationally. Call the airline a couple of times and talk to different people about their requirements from you and what you expect from them. If possible get written instructions and a copy of your rights. Be sure you document who gave what information.

Arrive early at the airport. Be sure your dog has been exercised and taken to potty. Put extra food and water taped to the crate. If weather is hot, use a frozen cold pack under the wire grate of the crate. Ask your vet and the airline for other tips to ensure your pet's comfort during flight. Make sure you get an airline approved carrier. The airline may allow small crates for tiny dogs in the cabin, as long as they fit under the seat. Check ahead though as this availability is generally quite limited and on a first-request basis. Check all tags that are put on your dog's crate. Never just assume that the information is correct. Be sure your crate is well marked well with your dogs identifying information and your flight information. Your dog should wear a collar with an identification tag that lists your name, address and telephone number. Information should be listed in more than one highly visible surface of the crate. Small luggage tags are great for clipping onto your dogs collar with temporary information such as the telephone number of the hotel or residence you are visiting. Be sure they are secure and that your dog is not able to reach them to chew. Do not put tags of any kind on choke chains, they fall off easily. Double check to make sure your dog has boarded the plane before you get on. If you cannot fly direct...recheck boarding for your dog at each layover. Physically check on your dog, whenever possible. In summer always fly at night; in winter always fly during the day.

Upon arrival talk to the gate attendant telling them that there is a live animal on board and that you are requesting that it is unloaded first. As soon as you know your dog is unloaded, head to baggage claim, pick up your dog and have a great vacation!

Hotel Stays
Be sure you know ahead of time what hotels expect from you. Take your dog's crate, its not only your dog's home away from home, but will help them feel secure in a strange environment. Motels are more likely to accept a dog that will be crated in the room when you are not present. Check to see whether a special deposit is required for pet stays or if there are extra fees. Be sure you take a blanket for your dog to rest on when uncrated. On hotel property, keep your dog on lead at all times. Remember this is an unfamiliar environment. Always pick up after your pet.

Quarantine
Quarantine restrictions vary from country to country and can last up until six months or more. All initial in-processing of pets mandates full cooperation by animal owners to determine that their animals are free from communicable diseases. It is essential that you check well in advance of travel with your travel agent, customs and immigrations services and health and human services to determine exactly what is required for your pet. Be sure you obtain written instructions and prepare a checklist. Make an appointment well ahead of time with your vet to ensure you will have copies of all recent and current health records, immunizations and vaccinations. Obtain a general health certificate. Check the requirement for how current the health certificate must be. Do not obtain one too early. Check to see if an 'import certificate' is needed and, if so, how to obtain one. You may need more than one copy of health documents for your pet. You may also need 'field endorsements' from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There may also be a limit on the number of animals you are allowed to bring into a country. Do your homework and get requirements and restrictions in writing well ahead of your planned departure.