ROAD TRIP WITH YOUR POOCH!

Whether you've got an AirStream you want to glamp in or you've just got an extreme case of wanderlust, travelling with your four-legged friends can be an absolute blast ... here's how to do it right!

Does your dog know when you're about to travel and dreams of joining you on a grand adventure? Well, now he can!

This might sound obvious but travelling with Fido will mean getting everything organised as far in advanced as possible. Be prepared to put a few hours aside to do your research, make inquiries and to pack essentials for his/her trip. Keep in mind that this should be r&r vacay time for you both and not stressful in any way. If your pup has car anxiety or gets car sick it might be best to stick to very short local day trips to desensitise your pup gradually to travel...

TRANSPORTATION

RENTAL CARS: If you plan on renting a car please bear in mind that rental companies are not particularly keen to have their cars returned with hairy seats and possible scratches on the vinyl. In fact, many rental car companies will charge you a surcharge for your pet or will try to add a 300$ cleaning fee to your rental at check out. They'll also give you the least desirable car in your car class which is a bit of a downer. So, how do you get around this? EASY. When renting cars, I usually leave my pup at home when I'm collecting my car and upon returning the car, I take it to a petrol station and give it a good vaccum and then wipe surfaces down with baby wipes. I've never had a cleaning charge to date. IF you have to take your pup with you to collect your car, just assure the sales man that your pup is very well behaved and you have seat covers for Fido so the car will be returned in pristine condition. On that note: you really should cover Fido's seat to ensure it does not get damaged in any way. BEFORE YOU DRIVE: please remember to deactivate your airbag from any seat your pet will occupy!

TRAINS AND BUSES: If travelling by train or bus in the US please note that many trains and buses will not allow dogs that are not classified as service dogs. Others will allow a maximum of two to three dogs per train/bus on board but you will need to book in advance and pay a small fee (usually around $35). Also, check their size/weight restrictions. Like airlines, some services may only allow your pet on board if it fits in an approved travel bag that fits under the seat in front of you. For the UK and Europe, pets are not allowed on most buses, especially those that cross boarders. In the UK pets are allowed freely on all trains without restriction or reservation. In Europe, pet are allowed on trains, but again, you will have to book this in advance as there are several restrictions. Please, do not be cheeky and try to sneak your dog on board as this could seriously backfire AND lead to having to pay excess fees and you and your dog being stranded. In the coming weeks, I will write a comprehensive post on travel to Europe and the UK with your pups.

ACCOMODATION

AIRBNB and VRBO: Let's face it. Air BnB and VRBO have some absolutely stunning locations and we all know how important it is to stay in a fab place while on the road. When looking for a rental, be sure to click the pet option when you are searching for a rental. However, many owners who are not listed in the pet sections will actually be very open to you bringing Fido along -- don't be afraid to ask! 9 times out of 10, I've been told it is okay as long as I promised my pup was well behaved and potty trained. Be honest here! A few things to consider when searching for a rental:

1. Is the garden or patio fully enclosed and secured?

2. Do they use snail or rat poison in their garden?

3. Do they have carpets/white carpets?

4. Are the staircases and balconies secure and safe for your pup?

5. Is the house near a busy street or highway?

These might seem like silly questions but, trust me, when you rock up to a new house, the first thing Fido is going to want to do is explore that garden. The last thing you want to do is stress about him getting out, getting lost in a new neighbourhood or ingesting garden poisons -- which is very common and something we should always be conscious of, everywhere, at all times. As for staircases and balconies, use your best judgement to determine if the space is safe and suitable for your pup.

HOTELS: Thank goodness hotels are becoming more and more pet friendly. Unfortunately, it's usually the higher end hotels like the Four Seasons that are über-accommodating for our fur babies. If the Four Seasons is in your budget, I highly recommend staying there as your pup will be truly pampered and it's just an over-all 100% stress-free pet-friendly experience. If it's out of budget, don't fret! Many mid and lower-range hotels take pups too, especially boutique hotels. At these hotels you will likely be charged a nominal fee of 10$ to 25$ to add your pet to your reservation. Here are some sample hotel pet fees: Comfort Inn (free), Days Inn ($10), Hampton Inn ($25), Holiday Inn ($25), Loews ($25), Kimpton (Free), Four Seasons (Free) - on the higher end of the fee spectrum Hilton ($75), Hyatt ($75) and the W Hotel ($125). I've found that the most 'pooch unwelcoming' hotels are the large corporate hotels like the Marriott and Hilton - you know, the ones with hundreds of rooms and a conference center. They are quite strict but also generally mind their own so, I'd be lying if I said I haven't snuck my pup in a few times. ;) Please note: if you are traveling to Vegas and staying on the strip, these hotels generally have a very strict ZERO pet policy and it is impossible to get your pooch in. If you are going to Vegas, research a pet friendly hotel off the strip or look into an AirBnb. Generally though, with the casinos etc., Vegas is a pretty uninviting place for pups and, with the extreme heat, I would not recommend taking your pup here.

SAFETY

HOW SAFE ARE YOU AND FIDO? Getting distracted by your pup roaming around your car is actually one of the biggest dangers of driving with your dog. If your pup jumps from seat to seat and on your lap while you are driving, please consider a safety device such as a seatbelt harness, dog car seat or carrier. Statistically 50% percent of all pet owners do not restrain their pets while driving and of those that do, it should be known that 23 out of 25 labeled "pet safety devices" do NOT pass certification at 22mph with webbing and plastic clips commonly failing... YET these devices go on to be sold on Amazon, PetCo and your local pet shop. This means, if you crashed, your pup would likely become a "projectile" flying within the vehicle striking components or glass, and often, being ejected from the vehicle. For a video on pets during accidents, click here. To protect your fur baby, I highly recommend investing in a safety device that has passed testing by the Center for Pet Safety. You will have peace of mind knowing that your pet is not just safe but truly protected to the highest standard in the event of an accident. Very few brands have been able to achieve this level of certification and prices are not much higher than the brands that have failed. To save you time researching, we recommend investing in a Click It Sport Safety Harness by Sleepy Pod - it has performed extremely high in simulated crash-testings and has passed standards set for child safety restraints.

A LIST OF MUST-HAVES TO PACK IN YOUR CAR

1. Car Seat Cover (especially if you have a rental car)

2. Safety Restraint (certified harness or doggie car seat)

3. A First Aid Kit for Pups, including Pedialyte or electrolytes your vet sells

4. Up-to-date ID tags with your name, address and phone number secured to a harness

5. Two leashes (6' and 15'), a fitted/secure harness and your pups collar

6. Biodegradable Poop Bags

7. Extra Bottles of Water (in case of excess heat, traffic, flat tire, lack of available gas stations)

8. Dry, Canned Food and Treats (always pack extra portions)

9. Food/Water Bowls and Dog Bed or blanket that smells like home

10. Two pup towels, a pack of baby wipes and paper towels

10. Toys to keep your pup entertained

11. Your pups medication, supplements, veterinary records and your vet's phone number

12. Photos of your dog

12. If your dog is ESA certified remember to print out a copy of certification

13. Muzzle (required for car ferry trips in Europe)

14. A flashlight

15. Invest in a pet life vest

16. Electronic GPS collars are a perk but remember they only work where there is signal!

17. Bring your camera and, if your one of those super cool drone people, go for it!

DOG FRIENDLY SIGHTS

Before you hit the road it is important to double check that the places you want to visit are indeed dog friendly. You'll have to do a little researching on beach, national park, museum and restaurant restrictions. NEVER leave your dog in the car in the summer heat while you are off eating or seeing the sights -- it is extremely dangerous for them. A hot car can kill a dog very quickly, never take any risks. If you search hard enough you will always find a way to include Fido in what you want to do...

Based on my experience, here's a list to consider:

1. Most California State Beaches do not allow dogs unless they are registered service dogs. Rangers will NOT accept ESA dogs on the beach. You will get a ticket if a Ranger is patrolling the beach while you and your dog are on it. Be mindful of this and research beaches on your journey that are pet-friendly. They are definitely out there and some are even dedicated dog-beaches which are loads of fun for Fido to play and socialise on. NOTE: Please keep pup on a leash as not all dogs on beaches are friendly! It is shocked by how many dogs are attacked and killed by others on designated Dog Beaches each year. Owners should be responsible and keep aggressive dogs on leashes, but many do not. Please be mindful at all times!

2. Some Museums are becoming more pet friendly, so check with the museum you'd like to go to and see if you can bring Fido. All museums welcome service dogs.

3. National Parks restrict dogs to campsites, designated paths and parking lots. If you are planning a trip to a National Park, like Yosemite, do your homework in advance. You might need to book a pass for your pooch and pay a fee.

4. Forest Service Land is pup friendly with lots of dog trails you can hike on.

5. Dogs are generally allowed in State Parks and a variety of their trails and beaches.

6. Dogs are allowed on Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land.

7. Many botanical gardens and lavender field farms allow dogs for a small fee.

8. Google park rules for private parks you wish to visit.

9. Find restaurants where you can sit outside and order your food. This is so easy these days. Dogs are generally welcomed on restaurant patios and some pet-friendly restaurants will even offer dog treats and water bowls. If you are in the UK, gastro pubs are an excellent option! If you are having a hard time finding a place to grab a bite to eat on your journey, consider a scenic road side picnic.

10. Most Vineyards are pooch friendly and a great place to picnic and sip vino!

11. If you have your heart set on attending an event, like a jazz concert, that you absolutely cannot take Fido to - consider leaving him back at your hotel, or, hiring a pet sitter through Rover for a few hours. I've done this a few times when I had an important family dinner to attend to and it worked out perfectly -- my pooch had fun on his pup play date while I attended a quick dinner. Have your app ready to book!

12. BEST CITY TO TRAVEL TO WITH YOU PUP IN CALIFORNIA: Carmel! Carmel is one of the most dog friendly cities in California with beautiful State parks, trails and beaches your pup is totally welcome to explore. There are also many dog-friendly hotels that will treat your baby like VIP offering pup turn-down, yappy hour, pup room service and outdoor showers.

13. WORST CITY TO TRAVEL TO WITH YOUR PUP: Vegas! With Casinos, shows, clubs, parties, pools and outrageous heat, Sin City is the least dog-friendly city you can bring your pup to. Most hotels have strict policies against pups too, so if you are planning to go to Vegas, it might be a good idea 'not' to include Fido on this one.

A FLEXIBLE GAME PLAN

Improvising is fun but when travelling with your pup you should have a general idea of where you'll be driving, how many miles are realistic to cover each day, where you'll be staying, some restaurant options and what you'd like to do. Having a flexible game plan allows you have everything organised while having a chilled-out, stress-free road trip! Happy travels!