11 Tips for Traveling With a Puppy

Travel can actually be good for your dog. Puppies need socialization, or exposure to different people and environments—and what better way to show your puppy new things than to travel?

But socialization only works if you take it slowly, at a pace your puppy is comfortable with. So before you set out road tripping for hours at a stretch, do a travel trial run. Just a short car ride can provide valuable insight, says Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA, a South Florida-based animal behavior expert, dog trainer, and the vice president of dog training company A Dog’s Best Friend.

Depending on your puppy’s age and lifestyle, they may not have much car experience, and riding in a car might seem scary to them. Or it might not—all puppies are different. You won’t know until you see how they react to a drive. So strap your puppy in securely (experts suggest using a crate or dog seat belt to keep your pet safe in the event of an accident) and take a 10- or 15-minute drive.

Before you book your tickets, make sure it's safe for your puppy to travel. When venturing far from home, puppies should be fully vaccinated, with protections against:

• Rabies
• The combination of illnesses covered by the DHPP vaccine (distemper, hepatitis, kennel cough, parainfluenza, and parvo)

Depending on where you live and where you're traveling, they may also need vaccines for:

• Canine influenza
• Lyme disease
• Leptospirosis
• Bordetella

Ask your vet about the protections your puppy needs before making any concrete travel plans, especially in the short term—many vaccines can take weeks to fully protect your pup.

There are plenty of products on the market promising to quell dogs’ travel-related tension. Many pet parents say that calming supplements have made a big difference in their dogs’ anxiety, especially in situations that can be stressful, like travel.

For extreme anxiety, a veterinarian can prescribe medications to calm a dog down during stressful situations.

But not every supplement or medication is appropriate for puppies. Always ask a veterinarian before starting your puppy on any supplements and closely follow the veterinarian’s instructions for any prescription medications.

You wouldn’t travel without your driver’s license or passport. Puppies shouldn’t travel without their important documents, either! Carry these important records with you when traveling with your puppy:

• Medical records: If your puppy needs medical attention while you’re traveling, these will give veterinarians a full picture of their health. They may also be required if you’re traveling out of the country.
• A recent photo: Of course you’re going to keep your pup by your side throughout your trip. But if your dog does become lost, having a photo of your pup can help others look for them.

Just as important, ensure that your puppy’s microchip is fully registered and updated with your most recent contact information.

Puppies have less ability to regulate their body temperature. Compared to adult dogs, they may be more adversely affected by climates that are especially hot or cold. So it’s important to make sure your puppy’s traveling location is at a safe temperature—and to remember that even if you feel comfortable, the same might not be true for your pup.

For example, Anderson says, it’s often cold on airplanes beneath the seats—which is where a puppy’s carrier is typically stored. It can be frigid for dogs on planes! So if you’re flying with a dog, provide a blanket or shirt for them to snuggle in their carrier, and check on them often to ensure they’re comfortable.

When it comes to puppy travel, a travel crate or carrier is your best friend. This will be an area of comfort for your puppy, and can help you keep them safe and secure.

Many young puppies are not fully leash-trained yet, and some are small enough to be overlooked by fellow travelers, so walking them on a leash through crowded places like airports can be dangerous—you don’t want them getting stepped on if they dart in an unexpected direction or just happen to be in the way of a distracted passenger. Plus, many airlines require dogs on planes to be crated.

Human children are notorious for interrupting long drives with the cry, “I need to go potty!” It’s exactly the same for puppies.

They drink more water, plus their smaller bladders and still-developing pelvic muscles mean that they have to go more often, so it’s your job to take as many breaks as they need.

Bathroom scenarios can vary depending on the mode of travel.

Road tripping with your pup? Map out the rest stops on your route. Flying with a dog? Know where the pet relief areas are at your departure and arrival airports, as well as anyplace you have a layover. And in case of emergencies, always have extra pee pads available. Hey, when puppies have to go, they have to go.

Travel snacks are a thing for puppies, too. “In all travel instances, take extra food,” says Jeni Redmond, the founder of pet travel company petsfly.com and former board member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association.

When flying, Redmond recommends carrying on a resealable baggie of food, as well as an empty plastic container or travel bowl for your puppy’s water supply. You won’t be able to take water through security at an airport, but you can easily fill up your container after passing through TSA and before boarding.

When you travel, you might listen to a podcast or flip through a magazine. It’s nice to have a lot of different ways to pass the time, right? Same goes for your puppy! Don’t forget about the toys your puppy can enjoy on the journey, too.

Is your puppy a big chewer? Um, is the sky blue? Chewing is hobby No. 1 for most pups. But if your puppy’s jaws are strong enough to break apart toys, you’ll have to be extra careful what you give them to play with in their carrier. “I would not put anything in the crate that your dog could ingest inappropriately,” Anderson says.

Test out any potential toys with your puppy in advance to make sure they can’t chew off parts that could become choking hazards. And if you’re traveling by car, consider products with treats or fillings, like the KONG Puppy Dog Toy that can be stuffed with your puppy’s favorite treat.

Each airline and hotel has its own pet policies, and they most likely require pet carriers. But how do you know whom to call and when to verify? Sharon Callan, CPDT, ABCDT, dog trainer, and owner of Paws Be Good 4 U and president of Shelter Dogs for Veterans, advises travelers to let their airline know they’ll be traveling with a pet at the same time as they make the reservation.

An airline’s rules for in-cabin pets may include:

• Limits on a dog’s size or certain dog breeds
• Requiring a recent health certificate
• Requiring proof of current rabies vaccination
• Requiring a letter from your doctor if your dog is a service dog
• Charging a pet fee in addition to the cost of your ticket
• Limits on which cabins allow pets and/or how many pets per cabin
• Limits on the types of carrier/plane that allow pets

Because your in-cabin pet counts as your carry-on, you might be paying to check your carry-on unless you get a free checked bag because of a perk. Each airline’s pet policies can be different, so it’s best to get the details directly from them.

More Specifics on Pet Policies by Airline:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

This may seem obvious, but always carry-on your dog—and avoid the cargo hold at all costs. “I would never recommend checking dogs as airplane cargo,” says Callan. “It isolates the dog. You’re putting them in a fearful position. And dogs have died in shipments.”

Callan recommends crate training your dog beforehand so that they can sit easily while aboard, and to carry treats with you so you can reward your dog for being well-behaved once you land.