My husband, our dog ‘Seti’ – a big, black Border Collie mix – and I were looking forward to a relaxing holiday in upstate New York’s wild Adirondack Mountains. Then we dropped into the tiny local tourist centre and saw the warning sign: bear-hunting season was open.

For the rest of our stay, I tied my red bandanna around Seti’s neck on our hikes. For our own protection, I dangled yellow plastic grocery bags from my belt and my husband wore bright shirts.

From this and other experiences, I’ve learned a lot about car travel with dogs. It’s much like travelling with a kid. To make it safe and fun for everyone, follow the three Ps: plan, prepare and pay attention.

First, make sure your dog is fit and ready for car travel. He should be healthy, well socialized, at ease with unfamiliar situations and know a few basic obedience commands.

Ideally, he’ll already be used to the car. If not, get him to think of it as a happy place by taking him for short rides to fun places – dog parks, for example.

This is a good time to start getting him used to wearing a doggy seatbelt (a harness that attaches to car seatbelts) or travelling in a secured crate. Use food as a lure, and put your dog in his car harness/crate for just a short time in a parked car at first. Gradually lengthen and expand the sessions to include travel in a moving vehicle.

Hopefully, you already know your dog’s health status. If not, have your vet check him out before you leave. If your pet is on prescription medication, get a holiday-long supply, in original containers, along with written prescriptions. You should also bring his rabies certificate (not just tag) and other health papers with you while travelling – this is especially important if you’re going to the U.S.

Another smart step: get a list of vet hospitals near where you’ll be staying. See the Animal Hospital Association of America’s web site www.healthypet.com.

Plan your holiday with your dog in mind: No to indoor museums and theatres; yes to hikes and outdoor activities. Research your destination in advance to avoid surprises like that hunting season we stumbled into. Make sure local parks allow dogs (on-leash or off).

Your accommodations should be completely dog friendly. If you’ll be making overnight stops, book rooms before you leave home – availability may be limited. Canadian Automobile Association travel guides are great for finding lodgings that accept dogs. So are web sites like www.petfriendly.com and www.petswelcome.com. Travelling with a dog takes more time.

You’ll probably have to make more frequent stops. You and your human companions may have to take turns using the washroom and getting food. If it’s rainy, you may find yourself eating in the car with your dog. You’ll also need time to let your dog play a bit and have water and maybe a snack during rest stops.

When you do stop overnight, give your dog time for a good walk and some vigorous play. In the morning, allow extra time to pack up his things before you leave.

Sometimes I seem to pack more stuff for Seti than I do for myself. He even has two kinds of travel bags – one for ‘on-board’ necessities like water, the other for things that he’ll need on overnight stops. Adapt this travel checklist to your own pet’s needs:

• Collar with tag showing home address, and travel tag showing cell phone number and destination address and phone
• Container of water; bring more if your dog has a funny tummy and reacts badly to changes
• Food – enough to last the entire trip and a bit longer. Don’t depend on finding your dogs brand where you’re going
• Bowls for food and water
• Leashes – at least two
• Poop sacks
• Medications
• Bed or blanket
• Towels for rain/mud
• Grooming kit – brush, comb, nail clippers, blunt scissors
• Treats
• Favourite toys
• Large sheet to cover bed at lodgings
• First-aid kit with antibiotic ointment, gauze, cotton balls and swabs, tweezers, Pepto-Bismol™ for tummy upsets and hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting in some cases of poisoning
• De-skunking shampoo, in case of creature encounter

One more thing to take along: a recent colour photo of your dog, with notes on tattoo and tag number/microchipping. If your pet goes missing, this could be a lifesaver.

If you’re travelling with friends, put someone in charge of looking after the dog. (You can take turns during a long trip.) Having a designated dog minder will help ensure your pet’s needs aren’t overlooked in all the excitement of a holiday.

You or the DDM should remember to put a lead on your dog before opening the car door at pit stops. If your pet is an energetic critter, it also helps to put him in a “sit” before the door opens, so his minder can grab the leash.

Of course, never leave your pet alone in a parked car. Even with the windows rolled down, the vehicle’s interior temperature can skyrocket in less than 10 minutes. Parking in a shady spot will help, but only if you’re sure you’ll be back within minutes. Shade shifts as the sun moves during the day.

Car travel with your dog may sound like a lot of trouble. But try it, and you’ll find all these steps soon become second nature. The reward? A closer bond with your dog, and a collection of memories to treasure.