So what’s it like to drive the pan american highway (or any highway) with a puppy? Is it even possible? Or a huge pain? Yes, it is completely possible, but it does make a few things tricky. Some points of which you should be aware:
- Sneaking the dog into a hotel can be tricky. If they find the dog (which may happen when taking him out for walks), you may have to put him in the car for the night. We don’t recommend asking the hotel in advance if they accept dogs. Just do it. And find a good backpack or duffel bag for the dog-sneaking.
- Hostels are tougher for the dog. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to bring the dog into the hostel, so you’ll have to keep him stowed away in the car.
- Don’t lose your paperwork. If you do, you may very well be stranded at a border crossing or airport. But don’t despair if you are, in most cases, you can simply have a vet create new documentation for the puppy and recross. We were once caught in an airport for half a day because some vaccination paperwork went missing. In the end, we needed to have a vet drive the airport and re-vaccinate him… not a pleasant experience when you’re sleep deprived and passengers are passing in front of you while the dog is whining about the shots.
- Keep a small bag full of supplies. Good dog food is available pretty much anywhere, but if you’re planning to explore in your car, it’s good to keep a sizeable supply. Chew toys are key too to ensure he stays quiet some times.
- Have a good dog carrier. We use a smaller nylon carrier that’s flexible enough to bend underneath an airplane seat.
- If you leave the dog in a hotel during the day, be sure to post a do-not-disturb sign on the door, or inform the front desk that you do not want a turn-down.
- Set aside plenty of time to play with the dog. Being cramped up during long car rides is never fun.
- Flying tip: when your puppy needs to hit the bathroom, be prepared for some awkward moments in the airplane lavatory and in handicap stalls in airports.
All in all, it’s a bit trickier to do, but it is completely possible. Just relax and enjoy the dog, but keep him in mind when planning ahead. Also traveling with more than one person helps, but isn’t strictly necessary.
Best, John
