[A Guest Blog Written by Our Friends At Dogo]
Best Practices for Traveling with Your Dog This Summer
There’s something magical about summer adventures—the open road, the sunshine, and the promise of new experiences. For dog parents, that often means bringing our four-legged best friends along for the ride. But traveling with a dog isn’t as simple as grabbing the leash and hopping in the car. A dog friendly getaway and pet travel requires thinking ahead. With the right preparation and training, though, summer trips can be fun, safe, and enriching for both you and your pup.
Our friends at Dogo app are here to share this go-to guide for stress-free summer travel with your dog—plus some expert-backed training tips to ensure your dog is the ideal travel companion.
Before You Hit the Road: Essential Preparation
Successful dog travel starts before you even leave the house. A little preparation goes a long way. Whether you choose air travel, ground transportation, or another means to your destination, there are rules and regulations that apply and help you prepare.
Health & Safety First
-Schedule a vet checkup to ensure vaccinations are current.
-Ask about motion sickness meds or calming aids if your dog is a nervous traveler.
-Make sure your dog is microchipped and wearing an ID tag with up-to-date info.
Pack Like a Pro
Always remember to bring the following:
-Your dog’s regular food and water (sudden changes can upset their stomach)
-Treats and snacks
-A travel water bowl
-Leash, harness, and poop bags for their walk
-Comfort items like their favorite toy or blanket
-A secure crate or travel seatbelt harness/carrier
Flying with Dogs
Air travel and transport with a dog requires careful planning and preparation to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for both you and your pet. Contacting the airline first is important to find out what type of travel would be suitable for your pup and the special services they offer to make your and your pet feel comfortable.
Key tips include choosing an appropriate carrier, acclimating your dog to the carrier beforehand, and ensuring they have proper identification. You should also consider your dog's health, potential stress, and necessary supplies for the journey.
Always be sure to check specific airline regulations regarding pet travel, including carrier size, weight limits, and breed restrictions. Some airlines are more dog friendly than others.
Grooming Animals on the Go
Summer means dirt, sand, and shedding. Regular brushing and basic grooming on the road will help your dog feel comfortable and stay healthy.
Grooming your dog on the go involves quick, practical solutions for maintaining your dog's hygiene and appearance while traveling or away from home. This includes using portable grooming tools, addressing minor skin issues, and practicing safety and comfort for the dog during the process.
Portable grooming tools for your furry companion such as wipes or a waterless shampoo suitable for pet transport will go a long way.
Training Tips for a Travel-Ready Pup
One of the biggest factors in smooth travel with your dog is behavior. A well-trained dog doesn’t just make the trip easier—they’re safer and happier, too.
That’s where the Dogo app can help. Dogo offers step-by-step training programs created by professional dog trainers. With daily bite-sized lessons, built-in clicker functionality, and video exams reviewed by experts, you can train your dog anywhere—even while traveling.
Here are the top training skills to focus on for summer trips:
1. Crate Training
A crate-trained dog feels secure while traveling. Use positive reinforcement to help them see the crate as their safe space. The Dogo app’s crate training course is great for both beginners and dogs who need a refresher.
2. Leash Etiquette
Whether you're walking through a busy city or a peaceful hiking trail, loose-leash walking is a must. Dogo’s leash manners program helps teach your dog to walk calmly by your side, without pulling or lunging. Having leashed dogs are generally a standard practice no matter where you go.
3. Recall and Emergency Commands
A reliable “come” command can be lifesaving if your dog gets off-leash. Dogo offers recall training that builds consistency even in distracting environments. You can also teach a solid “leave it” or “wait” for safety near traffic, other dogs, or wildlife.
4. Keeping Calm in New Environments
Some dogs get overwhelmed in new places—hotels, campsites, or crowded parks. The Dogo app includes exercises to build your dog’s confidence and calm behavior in unfamiliar settings.
Tips for a Safe & Fun Summer Journey
Plan dog-friendly stops: Use apps to find dog parks, rest stops, and trails along your route. Pet friendly accommodations are more common thank you think, but still require planning!
Never leave your dog in the car: Even with the windows cracked, temperatures can rise to deadly levels within minutes.
Hydrate often: Always have fresh water on hand, especially during outdoor activities.
Watch for heat stress: Know the signs—excessive panting, drooling, or weakness—and take breaks in shaded areas.
Making the Most of the Great Outdoors With Your Four Legged Friend
Summer travel is more than just a change of scenery—it’s a chance to strengthen your bond with your dog while having a safe journey. Every new location provides opportunities to practice socialization, reinforce training, and create positive memories together.
Even better? You don’t have to put training on pause just because you're on vacation. With the Dogo app, you can continue your dog’s learning journey on the road, at the beach, or by the campfire. All you need is your phone and a few minutes a day.
Pet Travel Just Makes Sense
Whether you’re hitting a dog friendly beach, hiking mountain trails with your furry friend, or road-tripping cross-country to see the breathtaking views, bringing your dog along can make summer travel truly special. With a little preparation and the right training tools, you’ll both be ready for an adventure you’ll never forget.
So buckle up, paws in the backseat, and let the summer stories begin.
About Dogo:
The Dogo App is a personalized dog training app that lives conveniently on your phone so you can train anywhere anytime! Unleash your dog’s potential with Dogo’s tailored training programs, crafted by certified experts. Get a deeper look into your dog's personality and behavior. Start by taking their survey and receive a customized training plan tailored to your dog today.
WHO IS PRIDE+GROOM?
PRIDE+GROOM was born because a group of New York City dog lovers wanted the same level of grooming products for their dogs that they themselves enjoyed. They looked (hard) but nothing was up to snuff. Or sniff. Like so many, we love our families and take pride in our homes, and we consider our pets to be integral parts of those entities. That said, we could not find an effective way to coif them that was on par with the way we tended to our children, our homes, or ourselves. These beloved pets are allowed on the furniture and in our beds, and yet even when fresh from the groomer, we knew they did not smell or feel as good as they could.
With the development of our coat-specific shampoos, conditioner and deodorizing spray, we think we found just the way to say thanks for being the best and the sweetest MVP of the house. Skin and coat health is very important to us.
PRIDE+GROOM is the first dog grooming brand launched under a beauty platform, with formulas made in a clean beauty and scent lab. We know beauty is not only skin deep. We did a ton of research to create the entire line. Each product is formulated with its own unique blend of essential oils sourced from around the world.
IN DOG WE TRUST
Shop our entire line: www.prideandgroom.com
