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Summer is around the corner, and everyone on social media posts tips on packing a suitcase or the best travel ideas when traveling with little kids.
When you have dogs and little kids, things get even more complicated.
You have to figure out who will take care of your dogs while you are away or pack more stuff if your dogs are coming.
What to pack when you travel with young kids and dogs
It depends on the length - day trips, overnight, or gone-the-whole-summer kind of trips and the type of trip, e.g., camping trips, road trips, hotel stay, or apartment/house rentals.
Sometimes I only take the basics such as food, collar, harness, and a leash, and sometimes, our dogs, Lola and Hela, travel with almost as much luggage as my children.
Over the years, I have made a LIST* of travel items for dogs that make my life easier. I try to take things that are:
*See the list below
Consider how you will approach management in a new space to keep your baby safe. If possible, take management tools with you, rent them at the destination, or order them to be delivered to your location, such as:
Check out the Traveling with Your Dog and Baby Curation in Dog Meets Baby Amazon Store for light and foldable travel crates, portable baby gates, playpens, and useful dog products. Some travel products are only suitable for smaller dogs or those who aren’t jumpy.
If family or friends’ dogs will be vacationing with you or you’ll be staying at their place, management tools and safety rules are even more important to keep the little ones safe. This blog post discusses holidays with family and friends, but the rules apply to summer trips, too.
You might be wondering, why do I need tips from a dog trainer on vacations without dogs?
Keep in mind that there may be an adjustment period for your dog when you return. Many children will have hit milestones while away, e.g., you leave for vacation with a rolling and sitting-up baby and return with a crawling child.
Example: This was our case. I was away with the kids for over a month, visiting my parents. I left with rolling babies and came back to Lola with two very active crawlers. Lola was happy to see her human siblings but initially unsure about their movement. Both children were very interested in Lola and could now crawl up to her.
If your dog has not seen your baby for a while, it can be shocking to your dog. Adjust your management accordingly, and give your dog plenty of time and distance (aka Baby TV) to get used to your baby's new skills. You may want to reintroduce your baby with some safety precautions in mind.
Examples: baby in the stroller, baby holding something to prevent grabbing the dog’s fur, or baby in your lap. If you have a newly mobile baby, chances are you’ve been researching baby gates and playpens. If you’d like suggestions from other parents and me, here is a good list of frequently recommended products:
When you get home from your trip, your child will most likely be very interested in your dog.
If your dog actively solicits attention and approaches you and the baby, you can do some supervised petting. Remember that consent is fluid and little kids are unpredictable. We can’t expect them to follow directions reliably.
If you notice your dog is showing subtle signs of stress and seems unsure about the baby, it’s best to stop petting and redirect the baby to a different activity.
If your dog moves away every time your baby reaches or starts approaching your dog, it’s best to separate them and focus on nonphysical forms of affection. Watch my children demo blowing kisses, waving, and air hugging. Even young toddlers can play fetch with dogs if you have a fetch dog! Not sure how? Check out this reel to see how the little ones can have fun and keep the dogs busy.
Sometimes, a baby might suddenly be scared of a dog and need time to get used to the dog again. Grab this free tutorial, “Overcoming Fear of Dogs. A step-by-step plan to help your child feel safe around dogs", if the fear continues.
You don't need every item below to have a great trip. I like to think of it as a helpful guide.
When you travel, consider what items would be useful and make the most sense for your family.
Whether you are traveling with your baby (and a dog) for the first time or are a seasoned pro, these products are ones you will want to grab.
Taking your dog on a trip doesn’t have to be complicated. And you probably have most of the products at home. Have a look at our list and see if there are items that could make your trip with a dog (and a baby) easier and safer.
Unrestrained dogs can interfere with pedal operation or the effectiveness of airbags. Loose dogs can become incredibly forceful projectiles and injure other passengers. Many dogs run away after a crash in fear. These products will help you keep your dog and your family safe.
Many dogs find new places and changes in routine stressful. There are OTC products that can help them feel more comfortable (please always consult your veterinarian first).
Pro Tip: Remember to take your dog’s medication, a tick remover, and topical wipes for cleansing. For month+ long trips, pack up monthly additions such as heartworm or flea & tick preventatives.
Medical/ Vaccination Records. If you travel with your dog internationally, I highly recommend the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Pet Service website (US). It can be a complicated process with multiple deadlines.
Pro Tip: Have a digital and a paper copy of your dog’s vaccination records.
I have most of those products - not the poop bag holder yet, but what a brilliant idea - because I find them so useful. Check them out.
High Tail Hikes (small business)
I always have at least one 15-25ft long biothane leash in the car. It is indispensable when you have a puppy, a dog that doesn’t come when called, when you walk your dog in new outdoor places, a dog that is deaf, when there are many distractions, or when you want your dog to be on leash but give them the freedom to explore, etc. It is also easy to clean.
Code: DOGMEETSBABY10
Deal: 10% off
Website: Click Here
Big Dog Seatbelt Company (small business)
If you have a large or giant dog, this is the place to order high-quality big dog seatbelts and harnesses. They are crash-tested and custom-built to fit your dog perfectly.
Code: DOGMEETSBABY
Deal: $10 off
Website: Click Here
Bark Pouch (small business)
Grab a few for your dog while you pack up pouches for your baby. These pouches are very high value to dogs, and when you are in new, exciting places, you need something special to get your dog's attention. These pouches turn dogs’ heads.
Code: dogmeetsbaby10
Deal: 10% off
Website: Click Here
I have used many dog products over the years and have seen many working with thousands of dogs. This company is next level. The product I fell in love with is their Touring bungee adjustable hands-free leash. It stays in one place, it is comfortable, and the clip will not open. Their dog harnesses - I have the line harness grip - are light yet sturdy. We also got the little protector booties for hiking in rough terrain or a place with foxtails and a life jacket for our water-obsessed Spanish Water Dog. If your dog doesn’t like getting wet, and the rainy weather is likely, get them a raincoat.
Code: DOGMEETSBABY
Deal: 20% off
Website: Click Here
Enventur Travel Kennel by Diggs
Inflatable crash-tested kennel? Does this exist?
Yes! It’s called Enventur Travel Kennel. The test videos on their website are so impressive. It is an ultra-durable kennel made with military-grade, puncture-resistant, waterproof, and military-tested materials. It looks modern, packs flat when not in use, is lightweight, and can be inflated in just one minute.
For smaller breeds (up to 18 lbs), Diggs has a crash-tested Passenger Travel Carrier. It's so stylish! Diggs' products are pricey but worth the peace of mind, and you can unlock special discounts on their website!
Website: Click Here
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From infant to toddler, Baby Tula has a carrier for everyone. This is a personal favorite of mine. It was easy to put on and comfortable for both parent and child. They come in many styles, patterns, and colors and are machine-washable. The best part is that they have toddler sizes for when your child doesn’t want to walk and you don’t want to bring a stroller.
Code: DogMeetsBaby
Deal: 15% off
Website: Click Here
Pediatrician at Karabots Pediatric Care Center, West Philadelphia, a CHOP Care Network primary care practice. Mom to two toddlers and founder of Resilient Rascals.
Traveling with young children can feel like a lot! Having some health essentials handy will help you feel calm + confident in handling a medical emergency. Here are some tips to help you prep for your trip.
Take Notes.
Keep these handy before you leave - you can jot them down, take quick photos, or keep my First Aid Checklists with you.
1. Your Child's Weight. In case of any health issue or emergency, children's medications are based on their weight. Knowing this before you leave can save you precious time.
2. Medications or Allergies. Make sure you know your child's dose of any medications they take, and also write down a list of their allergies to have on hand.
3. Nearest Emergency Room or Urgent Care. Hopefully, you won't need it, but it's good to know where the nearest hospitals are just in case of an emergency (it saves you some frantic googling in the moment and helps with trip planning).
4. Your Child's Insurance Information. It's good to have a copy or photo of their insurance card handy.
Dr. Gans' Healthy Baby Bundle has everything parents need in one place - tips for children's most common health conditions (fevers, breathing problems, coughs + colds, rashes, etc.) and first aid checklists to help parents confidently handle pediatric health emergencies.
Safe Beginnings First Aid is the leading provider of infant and toddler-focused first aid, CPR and car safety workshops and courses for parents in North America.
Have a plan for safe transportation
Whether you’re flying or driving to your destination, having a plan for safe transportation is key.
Flying
The FAA agrees that all passengers, including infants and children, are safest on planes when restrained. If you can purchase a seat for your little one, consider bringing their car seat onboard. If you’re not driving on the other end (think bus travel to a resort, for example), a CARES airplane harness is a great solution to keep toddlers safe on the plane when a car seat isn’t needed on the other side.
Driving
If you’re traveling to a different country without your family’s personal vehicle, it’s worth looking into whether your car seat is permitted to be used while visiting or if you’ll need to arrange to use a local car seat.
Look at pictures before you go
Vacation homes and hotels are meant for relaxing, not for stressing out over safety! However, some families have been surprised to find their accommodation may have real hazards present for their little ones: unblocked balconies, open staircases, or easy access to pools or open water by a child, to name a few. Get ahead of the potential issue by looking at photos of the accommodations before you go. If there’s any doubt, call the property and ask! The more informed you are, the lower the chance of unpleasant surprises meeting you on arrival.
Baby proofing on the go
It goes without saying that we can’t bring drills and hammers with us on vacation and start babyproofing accommodations that aren’t our own. Still, there are so many great portable gadgets on the market that are non-invasive and won’t cause damage to your accommodation. I personally love the DOOR WING for travel because it can take the place of multiple devices: a door lock, a pinch guard, or even limit access to a room the way a baby gate across a door frame would (since it’s adjustable, it works on almost any door, making it great for the various doors you’ll come across on your travels). Consider bringing along some plug protectors for outlets, and if you’ve got a baby or toddler, bringing a playpen is “clutch,” as the kids say (crucial). A playpen gives you a safe space for your little one without fear of them getting into something unsafe, so you can grab a shower, get yourself together, or just take a breath!
Look under the beds
Alright, this one’s a bit gross, but hear me out: the number of times you’ll find something under a hotel bed when you take a quick peek will surprise you. We don’t love doing it, but get down on your hands and knees and look under the bed for hazards (put down a towel if it makes you feel better!) Remember, the floor level is eye level for crawling babies and playful toddlers (and dogs!), and if they see something there, they’ll likely go for it. Have a glance for anything that could pose a risk (coins and batteries being the most common) and remove them.
Safe travels!!!!
Online resources to help your baby and dog get along—right from the start and as they grow up together.
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