A Guide To Traveling With Your Goldendoodle

Can I travel with my Goldendoodle? Absolutely! But what if my dog hates car rides? What about air travel? Can my dog ride with me in the plane?

To answer some of these frequently asked questions, we’ve provided some pointers on traveling with your Goldendoodle, whether it’s a trip to the grocery store, or a trip across the country. 

Road Trips

If you’re planning on traveling with your Goldendoodle long distance, you’ll need to pack for your dog’s needs ahead of time. Don’t just assume you’ll be able to get everything you need during your trip. Car travel, especially long road trips, requires some forethought and planning.

Let’s take a look at some things you should do when car traveling with your Goldendoodle:

• Do Pack A Travel Bag

This will vary person to person, but some essentials you should include are: dog bowls, treats, a leash for exercise, any medications, and a few toys to keep your fur baby occupied.

Include your Doodle’s regular food and water; a sudden change of diet could cause digestive upsets. Bring cleanup supplies, such as scoop and waste bags, and throw in a few old towels, in case your Doodle gets wet or muddy.

If you’re traveling across state or international borders, carry your pup’s important documents; proof of vaccinations may be required, as well as his rabies certificate.

• Do Plan Ahead

Find out the rules before you go. Will your Doodle be welcome at your destination? Will the dog be allowed at any places you may be stopping along the way?

If your trip includes overnight stays at motels or campgrounds, call ahead to make sure your dog is welcome. Find out what the rules are before you arrive.

Note: Never ever take your dog with you if he’s going to have to stay in a closed car for very long. Even if the outdoor temps seem pleasant, the inside of a car can still reach fatally high temperatures if the sun is shining. Think ahead. If there’s a chance that the dog will be left in a car for more than a few minutes, leave your ‘Doodle at home. 

• Do Restrain Your Dog While Driving

Dogs riding loose in the car can distract the driver. The safest way for your Goldendoodle to travel is in a carrier in the back seat or the trunk of your vehicle.

If having your dog in a crate isn’t an option, there are other ways to restrain your dog in the car, such as a pet harness that attaches to a seatbelt.

• Do Provide Identification

Make sure your dog is wearing a collar and ID tags with your address and phone number on them. These are extremely important, in case your pet should become lost. Consider getting your Doodle microchipped if you haven’t done so already.

Air Travel

When traveling by plane with your Goldendoodle, you’ll still need to pack your doggy essentials. And this goes without saying, but make sure your pup is up-to-date with all his shots, and that he’s wearing a collar and ID tags. However, flying to your vacation destination requires different planning.

Before you fly with your pup, take a few things into consideration. Is your puppy house trained and well mannered? Is he able to handle stress calmly? Preferably, your dog should to be crate trained, and willing to sit quietly for some period of time.

If your dog is not fond of car rides; is very energetic and high strung; or becomes an incessant barker under stress, leaving him at home might be in your best interest. Otherwise your flight will go from adventurous to stressful faster than you can say “Goldendoodle.”

What To Expect When Air Traveling With Your Goldendoodle

Policies and prices vary from airline to airline, and these are based on different factors such as the size of your dog and your destination.

The rules change frequently. To avoid unpleasant surprises, double check with your specific carrier, especially when flying internationally. All airlines have limits on when they will fly dogs as cargo, and some may have limits as to how many they will accept on any given flight.

Note: When it comes to crossing international borders, countries differ on pet entrance regulations. Thoroughly research the rules of your destination country, to ensure you can meet all their requirements.

Smaller dogs are allowed in the cabin with you, if they can fit under the seats. Again it varies from different airlines, but there generally will be a fee, and your dog will be counted as a carry-on. If your pup is well behaved, you might be able to hold him on your lap after the flight has taken off.

If your dog is riding cargo, talk with personnel to know what to expect, and where to pick up your dog after you’ve landed.

Essentials You’ll Need When Flying With Your Doodle:

• It’s likely that you’ll be required to bring a certificate of health from your vet to the airport.
• An airline-approved crate. 
• A leash
• Pet food and water (although do not leave his food and water in the crate. It’s best if they travel on an empty stomach to avoid accidents and vomiting.) 

What If My Dog Dislikes Rides?

Traveling with your Goldendoodle should be an adventure for everyone, and a unhappy dog definitely puts a damper on things. Most Doodles are ecstatic at the chance to be going places with you, but sometimes anxiety or motion sickness can make a dog come to dislike rides.

To ensure that your pet will always be a willing traveler, ideally you should start taking him on short trips when he’s still young. Anytime you can take your dog with you, do it. Load him up when you drop the kids off at school. Make a stop at the dog park just for fun. Reward him with a treat every time he gets into the car.

Final Thoughts On Traveling With Your Goldendoodle

No matter how you choose to travel with your dog, keep your dog’s health and safety in mind. To avoid undue stress, plan your route carefully and in plenty of time.  

Bottom line, traveling with dogs certainly doesn’t have to be stressful! If your furry companion doesn’t enjoy globe trotting as much as you do, consider leaving him at home with a pet sitter, or a trusted family member.

But if he loves going along on adventures, what better way to explore a new place than when traveling with your Goldendoodle!