Traveling with your dog should be a fun and stress-free experience for both of you! But just like people, dogs have different comfort levels when it comes to travel. Some thrive in bustling cities, while others prefer a quiet retreat in the woods. Before planning grand adventures, take time to understand your dog and gradually introduce them to new experiences. With patience and training, you can make their journey as smooth as possible.
Here are the 5 most important things I taught Roo to make travel a fun and stress-free experience!
1. Crate Training – The Ultimate Travel Tool
One of the best things I did for Roo was crate training. When we travel, she’s usually in her bag—whether we’re on a plane, train, or in the car. Starting with crate training made the transition to a travel bag much smoother. Now, Roo hops right in, ready for another adventure!
How to Get Started:
Make the crate cozy. Roo loves to curl up somewhere warm, so adding a fluffy donut bed made her crate the best nap spot.
Reward often! Give high-value treats anytime your pup voluntarily enters the crate. Feed meals inside to reinforce positive associations.
Gradually increase crate time. Start with short intervals and build up to longer periods with the door closed.
2. Getting Your Dog Used to Loud and Busy Environments
Living in New York City, Roo is used to all sorts of sights and sounds—sirens, shouting, and even ignoring discarded pizza slices on the sidewalk. But for many dogs, airports, train stations, and busy streets can be overwhelming. Since travel often involves noisy places, desensitization is key.
How to Help Your Dog Adjust:
Start small – Sit at the edge of a busy area and reward calm behavior. Try a park near a busy road, a mall, or a quiet café in town.
Gradually work up to noisier spots like train stations or crowded streets.
Use YouTube! Play sounds from airports, subways, and bustling streets at a low volume, slowly increasing over time while rewarding relaxed behavior.
3. Sit & Stay – A Must-Have Travel Skill
A solid sit-and-stay is one of the most useful skills while traveling. It’s especially handy at dog-friendly restaurants—no one wants a pup jumping on the table during dinner!
Roo mastered this skill as part of the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, which is full of great training exercises to help dogs navigate the world with confidence.
Easy Training Tips:
Start small – Ask your dog to sit, say “stay,” and reward them instantly (as long as they don’t move).
Increase duration – Start with a few seconds and gradually increase the time.
Add distance and distractions – Take one step back, then reward. Slowly build up to bigger distances. You can add distractions by making noises or playing sounds while your dog practices sit & stay.
Pro Tip: If your dog struggles, go back to shorter durations and keep practicing!
4. Settle Mat – Teaching Your Dog to Relax Anywhere
If your dog struggles to relax in public spaces, a settle mat can be a game-changer. This portable mat signals to your dog that it’s time to chill, whether at a café, a hotel, or even the airport. When the mat is out, your dog knows it’s time to lay down and hang out.
I love supporting small businesses, and Taylor & Floof makes fantastic, easy-to-clean settle mats. (Not an ad—just a fan!)
How to Train Your Dog to Use a Settle Mat:
Start at home – Place the mat down and reward your dog for lying on it.
Increase duration – Gradually extend the time they stay on the mat before rewarding.
Practice in different environments – Build consistency by taking the mat to new places.
Bonus: Using a settle mat keeps your pup from laying on dirty sidewalks!
5. Puppy Pad Training for Long Travel Days
Roo was already potty trained when I adopted her (shoutout to her amazing foster mom!), but I’m now working on getting her comfortable using puppy pads. Why? Because long travel days don’t always allow for bathroom breaks, and many dogs refuse to use airport pet relief areas—Roo included!
How We’re Training for Travel Potty Breaks:
Teaching a “Go Potty” cue – Every time Roo shows signs she’s about to potty, I say “Go Potty” and reward her. This will help her learn to potty on command.
Bringing the outdoors in – I introduced a small patch of fake grass over a puppy pad to mimic outdoor conditions. While she prefers going outside, she has used the grass a few times, and I reward her heavily! Over time, I’ll make the patch of grass smaller until she’s comfortable using just the puppy pad.
Wish us luck—flights to Europe are coming up, and I want to make sure Roo can go potty before boarding! ?
Traveling with a dog requires patience and preparation, but the right training can make it an enjoyable experience for both of you. Whether it’s crate training, desensitization, or mastering sit-and-stay, small steps lead to big successes.
The more you practice at home, the smoother your adventures will be. Safe travels! ✈️🐶
What are your biggest challenges when traveling with your pooch? Let us know in the comments