By Car: Use a crate or a harness that attaches to the seat belt. Be sure the crate is large enough to allow the dog to stand, turn and lie down and is secured to the vehicle. If it's hot, open car windows to provide sufficient ventilation or make sure the air conditioner is at an appropriate setting to cool your dog. Small battery-operated fans attached to your dog's crate can help. Do not let your dog stick its head out of the window; this may lead to eye or ear injuries. Also, do not let your dog travel in the back of an open pickup truck. Your dog could be injured in an accident. Never leave a dog alone in a hot car during warm weather. To help prevent motion sickness take several short trips in the car before your journey. Also, you may consider feeding your dog its normal amount of food several hours before travel or skip the meal entirely if travel is scheduled too close to feeding time.
By Plane: I prefer to fly my puppies on Continental Airlines so alot of the following information may not apply with Continental Airlines or I am already familiar with the guidelines for shipping with Continental. The following information is for anyone who is planning to fly and wants to take their pet along with them. You could run into some of the following situations and hopefully having this information before hand will help you make proper arrangements for travel.
Your dog should be at least 8 weeks old and weaned before flying. Be sure to inquire about individual airlines specific requirements regarding health certification for the acceptance of pets for travel in the cabin or as checked baggage within the United States (Hawaii has quarantine requirements). Sometimes certifications of health must be dated no more than 10 days before travel. All states require proof of current rabies vaccination for dogs by the time they are three to four months. Check individual state requirements. Contact your local veterinarian who will be issuing the health certification because they should be familiar with each states rabies requirement age.
Plan for unexpected set backs such as an unforseen overnight stay due to weather. Put essential items such as food, water bowls, medications in an easily identifiable bag should you need to get to these items. Airlines make it clear that it is the owner's responsibility to verify the dog's health and ability to fly. Be sure to check the temperature of the flight's starting point, transfer points and destination if your pet is riding in baggage because it may be too hot or too cold to be safe for your pet.
Federal regulations prohibit shipping live animals as excess baggage or cargo if an animal will be exposed to temperatures that are below 45 degrees F or above 85 degrees F for more than four hours during departure, arrival or while making connections. Some airlines do not ship dogs as excess baggage (when a dog either flies in the cabin with your or on the same plane as checked luggage).
Passengers on these airlines have no choice but to ship their dogs as cargo, which costs more and does not guarantee a dog will travel on the same plane as its owner.
Remember that each airline has its own variations on regulations and services. For example, if your crate doesn't meet its requirements (which can include specific number of water and food bowls attached to the crate as well as two crate latching mechanisms) the airline may not allow your dog in the passenger cabin, if your crate or carrier fits under the seat in front of you. Ask about the maximum weight requirements for cabin travel, which vary from airline to airline. If using a crate be sure the crate has a leak-proof bottom covered with plenty of absorbent material, has a water bowl that can be filled without opening the crate, has a label with owner's name, address and phone number and "LIVE ANIMAL" sticker with arrows upright.
When making your reservations you must make reservations for your dog. There are restrictions on the number of animals permitted on each flight. ANimals are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
By Train: If you decide to travel by train, you may be dissappointed. Amtrak does not allow pets of any kind, including dogs. (Service dogs are permitted.) Local and commuter trains have their own policies.
By Bus: If you decide to travel by bus, you may be equally dissappointed. Greyhound and other bus companies that travel interstate are not allowed to carry live animals, including dogs. (Service dogs are permitted.) Local bus companies have their own policies.
Service Dogs: Federal Law, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), allows equal access to all "Service Dogs" (ie., hearing assistance, mobility assistance, etc.) It is crucial if you are traveling with a service dog to alert the carrier that you are coming with a service dog so that they may accommodate you with special seating, if available. If you travel with a service dog, you need to know those laws and carry a copy of the law with you and the number for the ADA office in the U.S. Department of Justice, (800) 514-0301 (voice) and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). You may come across a gate agent, ticket seller, conductor, etc. who does not know the law.
By Boat: The QM2 luxury cruiser sails from New York to England/France and provides special lodging and meals for your dog. But it can be hard to find ships that accept pets. Check with individual cruise lines, charter ships and sightseeing companies if you're interested in taking your canine companion aboard.
Lodging: If you plan to stay at a hotel or motel, be sure to find out in advance if it allows dogs because many do not. If your dog is allowed to stay, respect the privacy of other guests and keep your dog as quiet as possible. Beware of leaving your dog unattended. Many dogs bark or may destroy property in a strange place. Prevent any possibility of unwanted messes or an escape. Keep your dog in its crate at night or if you must leave it in your room alone. Keeping a radio or television on while you're out of your room could help keep your dog quiet. Ask where you should walk your dog, and be sure to clean up after your dog.
Please remember, for hotels to continue to accept guests with dogs, it is important to respect hotel property, staff, and fellow guests.
International: Interantional travel involves much more than interstate travel. Each country has its own rules and regulations. Many countries have a quarantine period. Check with the embassy or consulate of the courtry of your destination for details.
Traveling Tips: Make sure your dog has a sturdy leash and collar. The collar should have identification tags, rabies vaccination license tag (keep in mind authorities who want proof of rabies vaccination will only accept a certificate signed by a veterinarian that shows the type of vaccine used and the date is was administered). Your mobile phone number should be on the tags as well. Use a permanent form of ID (such as a microchip or tattoo) that can increase the likelihood of reuniting you with your dog if it gets lost far from home. Carry recent pictures of your dog with you. If you are accidentally separated , these pictures will help local authorities find your dog. Take the phone number of your veterinarian and any special medication your dog needs. Some dogs can't adjut to abrupt changes in diet, so pack your dog's regular food, bowls and water. If you think you might need to board your dog at some point during your travels, be sure to bring your dog's complete vaccination records. Traveling can be stressful for dogs. Consider keeping your dog on bottled water or bringing water from home and slowly switching the dog over to destination water to prevent intestinal problems.
