Traveling with a dog isn’t a simple matter of tucking her into a car with a seat belt! The laws in your state (and the laws of your destination) may differ from what you deem adequate. So here’s a handy checklist of what to do and bring before take your pup on a ride. Each item on this dog travel checklist addresses what’s legal, what’s safe, what’s important, and what’s humane.

1. Only travel with a dog that’s properly trained and socialized. Training will prevent him from running of, and socialization will prevent him from harassing other people or animals. At the very least, your dog should obey simple “Sit, Stay, No, and Quite” commands.
2. Bring along a harness leash. A regular leash may not offer the control you’ll need in a new area since a new environment will bring out the natural explorer in your dog. In fact, she’ll more than likely want to go in a direction that’s off your itinerary. A harness leash will give you more control over your dog’s direction and help you guide your dog in the direction that you intend to go.
3. Don’t forget your dog travel “documentation.” Just like you never leave home without your driver’s license, credit card, and other important documents, you don’t want to leave home without your dog’s ID tags, license, vaccination report, home vet phone number and your destination vet phone number, medication prescriptions, and most recent photo. In the event that your dog gets into a little trouble (or the poor thing gets lost), you may be asked for these materials before the two of you are allowed to return home. Your dog’s tags should include your cell phone number so that you can be reached no matter where you are.
4. Pack a personal menu and some familiar toys. You might comfort the way your dog feels in a new area by bringing along some items that she’s familiar with. In addition, your new location might not offer the same cuisine that your dog has grown accustomed to, prefers, and can easily digest.
5. Don’t even think about letting your dog run about without a leash. In most cases if not all, leash laws will prevent you from legally doing so anyway
6. Plan frequent pit stops so that your dog can relieve itself and get access to some fresh water, food, and exercise. Bring along the dog’s food and water bowls so that he isn’t tempted to drink water from fountains, swimming pools, public toilets or puddles
7. Pack up the bed as well. Your dog will feel right at home in the car or at the hotel if she has access to her own bedding.
8. Don’t forget the meds. If your dog is on medication, don’t forget to bring its pills. Her prescriptions might not be refillable in a different location. One of the most important medications you should bring with you is prescribed Dramamine. Dramamine is a treatment for canine car sickness. If your vet prescribed tranquilizers, bring them too. They could be necessary in an excited and dangerous situation. Keep all medications in a waterproof first aid kit that’s separate from the rest of your dog’s supplies so that she can’t access them.
9. If your dog is small enough to comfortably sit, lay, and stand inside of a crate, put him in one right before you take off. If there’s no crate big enough for your dog, secure him in a seat belt that’s designed for canines.