Service and therapy dogs have become an important part of life for millions of Americans over the past several years. These loyal animals not only help people with physical challenges navigate the world around them, they also help people with severe emotional problems cope with equally difficult challenges. In the past, people would roll their eyes at individuals with mental health issues such as PTSD or depression. Luckily, today the real seriousness of these issues is better understood, and these dogs play a huge role in the lives of countless people.

There are a lot of articles online that give advice about traveling with your dog. It’s not too hard to find these stories and for the most part, the same themes are addressed. How to plan a trip with your pet. The best places to go on vacation with your pet. What to bring with you when you travel with a pet. No doubt you’ve likely read several of such articles online already. But there is one other aspect of traveling with a dog that most websites don’t address: Dealing with all the other humans you’ll come across on your travels. In fact, this is one of the most important things to consider.

We may be in the heart of winter but, in case you hadn’t noticed, seasons tend to change, and
it won’t be long before we’re in the thick of oppressive Summer heat and humidity. We wrote
another post about how to keep your dog warm, but what do you do in the Summer, when all
of the sudden the tables are turned? Unlike Winter, where some places are hit harder than
others, pretty much everywhere across the country gets hot enough to be concerned about
your dog’s wellbeing. So, what are the right (and wrong) things to do to make sure your friend
stays comfortable, healthy, and safe?

There are a lot of options when it comes to training a dog but today, many people are choosing to take on the responsibility themselves. First, it’s so much cheaper than hiring a personal dog trainer. Some owners are also wary of trainers unless they’ve been personally recommended by a trusted source. Perhaps most importantly, it can be an important part of the bonding experience for you and your new little friend.

Knowing what you and your dog like to do together will best inform what kind of place you want to take them. With that in mind, let’s break down some of the best choices in a few different categories.