How to explore with a dog travel kennel in tow

Updated 22/02/2024

Some adventures are just too good to miss without your best fur friend by your side. So, out comes the dog travel kennel, and…? What next? Dog crates for traveling are a marvelous modern adventure, but we pet parents need to provide a bit more than a crate and puppy passport. Pups need to be comfortable, feel safe, and travel-ready before their next big adventure to make sure their journey (and yours) goes as smoothly as possible.

Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile, it’s important to make sure you and your pooch are as prepared as paw-sible. From finding the right travel dog kennel for your snuffle monster to packing the right inflight pup entertainment, there are a fair few things to think about before you both set sail.

With travel collars on, and paw identity at the ready, let’s look at some tail-wagging tips on how to explore with a dog travel kennel.

Finding the right dog kennel for travel

Find the paw-fect size

Size seriously matters when it comes to dog crates for travel. You should make sure your doggo has enough space to sit, lie down, and turn around if they want to. Whip out the old measuring tape and see how long they are from nose to tail base, as well as how tall they are from the top of their furry head. Once you have their width and height, add an extra four inches to each measurement. This leaves them with the additional space needed for comfortable travel.

Pick a paw and chew-proof material

Once you know what size travel dog kennel your pooch needs, now you need to look at the material. Is your pup a furry escape artist? Well, a super secure metal or plastic option may be best. Do you have a tiny teacup in your fur family? A small cloth harness or carrier that is lightweight and easy to pick up and store would be perfect for them. Think about where they are with their crate training, if they have a tendency to chew, or if they may move about a lot during the journey. Whilst comfort is imperative, safety and durability are equally as important.

Think about your mode of transport

Whilst a collapsible dog crate for travel may be ideal for car journeys and easy transportation, they won’t be allowed on a plane. Plan and think like a dog!

Preparing your pup and their dog kennel for travel

Before you work out the crate weight, what the airline requires for pup plane travel, or even how much dog food to bring with you, your pupper needs to settle into their carrier. Once you’ve picked out the perfect paw-friendly pooch-worthy traveling dog kennel, it’s important to make sure your dog is as familiar with the travel crate as possible.

Keep it open and near their home crate or bed

The less threatening their dog travel kennel seems, the easier it’ll be to settle them into their new crate. Put it near their chosen sleep spots or safe spaces to offer it up as a new hideout for them. They can be accustomed to it, mark it with their scent, and see it as something familiar from home.

Pad it out with their favorite blankets and toys

Speaking of scent, nothing is more comforting to your pup than the smells of home. Padding the crate out will make their new space comfy, and cozy, and fill the crate with familiar scents. This will help to calm your pooch and allow the experience to feel less scary.

Paw-sitive reinforcement

Treats and toys, you can never go wrong with treats and toys! Start by placing some of their most favored snacks into the crate to encourage them to go in and sniff out their new abode. Continue to give them treats if they decide to lie down or hang out inside too. This way, your pup will associate their new dog travel kennel with positive memories and motivation.

Readying dog crates for traveling on a plane

Traveling with a dog by plane is daunting, but many airlines are there to make sure your pup is as comfortable and content as they can be. Whilst the rules of pup plane travel will vary on whether it is a domestic or international flight, what an airline’s regulations require, and the size of your pupper, all planes ask pet parents to provide a non-collapsible crate made of metal, wood, or hard plastic with a solid top of the crate. The only exception to this rule is with small dogs, which will need to be transported in a size-regulated secure cloth and mesh carrier. Always double-check with the airline before you travel.

Make sure you have all of your pup’s identity and health documents, that they are all up to date on their vaccinations, and that they’ve had a final health check from their vet. During this prep vet check, ask them for advice on how best to make your dog feel relaxed and safe on their plane journey.

Prepping dog crates for traveling by car, train, or boat

For any mode of transport that isn’t an airplane, it’s up to you, the pup parent, to decide what type of dog traveling crate you and your pooch need. If you’re planning a road trip with your best fur buddy, be sure to check their crate is car-safe, and secure in case of a sudden stop, and plan bathroom breaks. Make sure all the parts of the crate are functioning and nothing is missing or broken.

Be aware that trains and boats will be noisy, as well as full of other people. If your dog suffers from anxiety or becomes easily overly stimulated, you can keep them in a cool, dark area where they can still see you for reassurance.

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.

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