[Vinniedoggy]

I've traveled a fair amount with Vinnie over the years. Here are a few things that have helped:

1. Consistent Routine - I always try to keep his routine as consistent as possible when traveling. This means going out for walks and eating at roughly the same time each day.

2. Avoid Alone Time - When you're in an unfamiliar place, try to avoid leaving your little Romeo alone for long periods of time. First, he will naturally be a little afraid, especially if it's the first time being left alone in a strange place. More importantly, however, is that you do not know if the place you're staying at has been "puppy proofed." This is VERY important for puppies who tend to get into things. I've been to many houses of family and friends who had some really dangerous things lying about (prescription drugs, chocolate, poisonous plants, etc). If you have to leave him alone, make sure to do a thorough inspection of the place/room he's staying in.

3. Bring Comforts from Home - Familiar objects, especially ones that smell like you, will go a long way to keeping Romeo comfortable. I always bring some blankets from home, as well as familiar food bowls and other items. If I have to leave Vinnie alone when traveling, I always make sure to leave my luggage with him as a way for him to know I'm coming back.

4. Prepare for Emergencies - One thing I always do when I travel with Vinnie is to familiarize myself with the nearby 24-hour emergency animal hospital. Accidents and sudden illnesses will hopefully not happen, but IMO it never hurts to be prepared. The last thing you want to have to do in an emergency is figure out where you need to go. Call me paranoid, but I'd rather be safe than sorry! And it's so easy to do with Google these days.

The more you travel with Romeo, the more he will be exposed to and the more well-rounded he will be. Traveling with Vinnie has helped him behaviorally in more ways than I ever thought possible. I initially traveled with him because I hated the idea of leaving him behind. However, I soon learned that it helped him learn how to adjust to new situations and interact with other people. He really likes traveling and has become the best little traveling dog I could have ever asked for. When I do visit friends and family, he is usually quite fine being left alone in a new place when I go out for dinner.