Travelling with your dog: plan, pack and train before you go

Should your dog come along?

Before you plan, ask honestly whether the trip suits your dog: how it copes with new places and sounds, how long the journey is, whether it will be left alone somewhere unfamiliar, and whether dogs are welcome where you stay. Ask your vet whether your dog is fit for the trip. If the answer is "not really", a trusted sitter or family member can be the kinder option.

Planning the trip and checking official rules

Rules for travelling with animals vary between countries and change over time. The guide never lists them; it shows you where to look: the official government or authority website for each country you enter, and the pet policy of every airline, ferry company, train operator, hotel and rental you use. Don't rely on forums, friends or old articles.

It also covers confirming dog-friendly accommodation in writing, an ID tag with your phone number, up-to-date microchip contact details and finding the nearest vet at your destination.

Preparing your dog: crate, car and new places

Crate, car, engine and crowd sounds and new places are practised in small steps with treats and praise, so the trip itself is not the first time. The crate is never a punishment, it always means safety and good things.

Travelling by car

A secured crate or a car harness attached to the seat belt system, regular breaks for toilet, water and a leg stretch, the leash on before any door opens, and never leaving your dog alone in a warm car.

Travelling by ferry

Ferry rules vary between companies and routes, so the guide shows what to ask when you book, how to exercise your dog before boarding and how to keep it close on loud, windy decks.

Travelling by plane

Air travel is the most demanding option for most dogs. Talk to your vet before you book, read the airline's own pet policy, get the crate early so your dog has weeks to get used to it, and never give medicine or supplements for the flight without your vet's advice.

At the cabin or holiday home

Car safety and breaks (and never leaving your dog alone in a warm car), ferry crossings, flights, arriving at a cabin or holiday home, keeping routines and local rules, plus a travel-day log and a page for destination information.

On arrival: a leashed walk around the outside first, a check for hazards such as open water, roads or livestock, and the dog's bed and water set up in a quiet corner straight away.

Travelling with a nervous dog

Short first trips close to home, learning your dog's stress signals, lowering the pressure when you see them, familiar smells and planned rest days. If your dog is very anxious, talk to your vet and a certified trainer before travelling.

Health and safety on the road

A basic first aid kit, your dog's usual food, prescribed medicines in their original packaging with your vet's instructions, and knowing where the nearest vet is. Ask your vet what to watch for at your destination.

Printables: packing list, trip planner, training and travel-day log

Five printables to fill in: a packing checklist, a trip planning checklist, a training-before-you-go tracker, a travel-day log and a destination information page.

FAQ

What should I pack when travelling with my dog?

The guide has a full packing checklist you can print and tick off, from food, water and a bowl, familiar bedding and a chew to the leash and an ID tag with your phone number, plus a trip planning checklist.

Does it tell me the entry rules for my destination?

No, on purpose. Rules vary and change, so the guide shows you how to check the official, current rules for every country and each transport company's own pet policy.

Can it help with a dog that is nervous about travel?

It has a chapter on travelling with a nervous dog and calm, reward-based training steps for the crate, the car and new places. It gives no diagnosis or medicine; talk to your vet if your dog seems very stressed or unwell.

Does it cover flights and ferries?

Yes, there are chapters on travelling by car, by ferry and by plane, and on settling in at a cabin or holiday home.

What's included?

A printable PDF guide with planning, training, travel-day and destination pages, downloaded right after purchase. No promise of a particular result.