It can be a difficult feat to travel with a dog; however, with a bit of training, you will master this activity in no time.

Almost anyone must have a ton of resilience to fend off a woman who has wanted something for seven long years. That is why I tip my hat to my significant other, who, for seven years has managed to resist my constant pleas for a puppy.

He put up an intense fight but eventually caved in a little over a year ago, and now we have welcomed our springer spaniel, Arlo, into the family.

You could say this has taken a bit of adjusting to our lifestyle. Or maybe it would be a bit more honest to say it made a complete lifestyle overhaul. For anyone wondering why this is the case, it is merely the fact that Arlo is always with us, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Did I forget to mention that he's always there? People claim having a dog prepares you for having kids one day, and some even go as far as to say children are less challenging to care for than dogs. Yes, they also say that to my face.

Regardless of our individual opinions on that subject, if you are like me, you may not know what to do about Rover when planning a vacation, mainly if you must spend a significant amount of time in the car. Of course, you probably cannot picture a family outing without him. I did mention that once you have a dog, he is there 24/7, right? So, since he is your baby, it would be difficult to enjoy a holiday of which he was not apart.

Over the last year, we have worked out a few things to make sure we can have a holiday that is both pet-friendly and stress-free. Similar to what they say about children, it is all about compromise and planning.

Below are some tips we have found very helpful about this situation:

Get Him Car Ready

You should do a trial run before you head out on vacation. It may sound a bit over the top, but I can honestly say that the only reason our road trip was successful was that Arlo loved the car. In fact, provided he is not in the car for extended periods, and the interior temperature is comfortable, he would not only be happy to curl up for an extensive road trip, but he would also gladly stay in the car after we arrived. Taking the ferry is quite an experience: I do not recommend reserving a kennel, as the dog will be going deaf and sucking up fumes in a rapid manner that way. Instead, choose the car option. It does not cost anything, and Rover will be much more comfortable.

Book Ahead

In times past, you could merely go wherever your senses took you, but those carefree days are over once you have a dog. The first thing you will learn is that not everyone loves him as much as you do. In fact, most establishments do not allow pets. Others use the term "pet-friendly," but it is important to ensure you know what that means. In my experience, many places say they are pet-friendly, but what they mean is you must pay an additional fee merely to have your pet stay in the car. Other establishments calling themselves pet-friendly mean you can bring your pet for an additional 50% of your bill, and then he must be confined to a crate. A word to the wise: true pet-friendly establishments do not charge extra for your dog. However, you should contact any hotel or lodge in advance to ensure you know their exact definition of "pet-friendly" before you arrive.

Las Vegas Dog Resort
6810 W. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 560-7387