The dog as a best friend – according to studies, around ten million people in Germany alone rely on it. That's how many citizens live with at least one barking four-legged friend in a household. However, many dog ​​owners do not want to give up their vacation. But exploring the world without the hairy roommate is out of the question for many. No wonder, then, that vacationing with the dog is becoming more and more popular.

Anyone who is one of the first owners and is about to take their first trip together is often confronted with great uncertainty. What's the best way to travel with my dog, what should I definitely pay attention to when I'm there and what else is there to consider? We tell you what you should definitely know when vacationing with your dog.

Before you really get started, you have to plan your trip. Even at this point, traveling with the dog changes a lot. Because every country has different rules for dogs, which it is important to know in advance. Sometimes, for example, wearing a muzzle is required in certain places, the same applies to the leash obligation in many inner cities.

The choice of accommodation should also be well thought out: If you are staying in a hotel, you should clarify in advance whether dogs are allowed and in which areas they have access. For example, dogs are often not allowed in the restaurant. This could be difficult if your own four-legged friend does not like to be left alone.

It is also worth checking the local conditions in advance for the holiday home: are there, for example, steep stairs or other pets nearby that could pose a problem or require additional equipment, such as a partition grille? If you take a close look beforehand, you can avoid nasty surprises on site.

Regardless of the choice of travel destination, a veterinarian should be consulted for a general health check on the dog before the start of the holiday. The expert usually also knows which vaccinations are necessary for which travel country and, in case of doubt, can also take preventive measures directly for areas in which particular parasites could endanger the well-being of the four-legged friend.

Choosing the means of transport is almost as important as the destination. Flying with the dog is basically possible, but in most cases you are not doing your four-legged friend any favors. Dogs that weigh more than five kilos must fly in a transport box in the cargo hold. This is an enormous burden for the animal. If you still decide to travel by plane, you should find out about the transport regulations for dogs from the airline in advance - these vary considerably depending on the provider.

If you would like to go on a dog holiday with Deutsche Bahn instead, you can take your four-legged friend with you on the train. Dogs are clearly allowed to travel with you here: Small dogs can be taken along in the transport box free of charge. Larger dogs pay half the fare and must be leashed and muzzled. If you are planning an island holiday, you can also take your four-legged friend on a ferry under similar conditions.

There is a good reason why the most popular way to travel with your dog is by car. This offers several advantages: you can decide for yourself how many stops to make, there are no external stimuli that could make your four-legged friend nervous, and the dog reaches its destination in its familiar surroundings.

Speaking of your destination: When you finally arrive at your holiday destination, there are still a few things to consider. So you should not underestimate how many impressions flow into the dog in a new environment. So the rule is: slow down and explore the world with your four-legged friend step by step. It's best not to pack the first few days with activities, because like us humans, dogs deal with a change of location and changes differently. The motto here is: show sensitivity and see how the dog settles in.

But sometimes it pulls you further away than it would be good for the dog. The decision to leave the dog for a few days or weeks to explore the world is not an easy one for dog owners. But fortunately there are ways to accommodate the four-legged friend well during this time.

If you want to take a longer flight or are simply planning a holiday without a dog and have no one around you who can watch out, you can give them to a dog boarding house or a dog sitter. It is worth making an appointment in advance so that everyone can get to know each other and get to know each other. Any special features such as food intolerance or behavioral problems can also be exchanged.

And, as difficult as it may be: you should rather do without a farewell ceremony. In the best case scenario, the dog doesn't notice that his favorite people are leaving and is simply happy when they suddenly appear in the door again.