Afraid that their dog might not take the trip well or that bringing them along would be too much of a hassle, many dog owners decide to leave their pet at home. By doing that, they deny themselves and their dog tons of fun. Dogs love spending time with their owners and will find travelling preferable to being left behind. Taking your dog for an afternoon on the beach, a hike in the woods, or a whole-day trip doesn't have to be stressful, provided you do your homework and prepare your dog carefully.

1. Travel crates, harnesses, and restraints

Safety comes first. No matter if it's a five-minute or a five-hour ride, you need to provide safe transport for your dog. Prepare a cage, crate, or a transport box with pads or a blankie. The alternatives are car harnesses and restraints, now mandatory in some countries.

2. Vaccination records and health certificates

These might not seem necessary, but you never know when you might need them. Also, your dog's health records will be required at some campgrounds. Make it a habit to carry these documents with you at all times.

3. ID tags and GPS trackers

No matter how well-behaved they are, dogs can easily get distracted and run off. Attaching an ID tag with your address and phone number to your pet's collar or harness will make sure you get reunited with them.

4. Portable food and water bowls

Get non-spill water bowls for your car and collapsible silicone bowls for hiking. Bring several zippered plastic bags for quality dry dog food – your dog will prefer eating food that they're ordinarily used to, and bringing kibble is much easier than carrying tins of wet food.

5. Prescription medications and vitamins

Consult your vet about any medications you might need – for nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and allergies, possibly restlessness if your dog does not take car rides well. In addition to medications, you can also bring a pet insect repellent for long walks in nature.

6. Blankets, pillows, and towels

Your dog will appreciate having familiar scents from home, and blankets and pillows will provide comfort in every sense of the word. Old towels will be useful not only for drying your dog, but also for protecting your car seats (or, you can use old bedsheets for that purpose).

7. Poop bags and paper towels

To keep your dog, your car, and yourself clean, bring enough rolls of paper towels, a bottle of cleaning solution, and a hand sanitizer (which will especially come in handy – no pun intended – after you've finished cleaning up their poop). In shedding season, also include a lint roller in your bag.

You should not allow for small incidents to spoil all the fun you're going to have, so relax and enjoy some time with your beloved four-legged companion.