Making Your Vacation Fido-Friendly

For many people, a family vacation isn't complete unless the four-legged member of the pack is part of it.

But how do you know if your dog is ready to travel, and how do you make him or her comfy on a journey?

Harrison Forbes, radio host and author of "Dog Talk: Lessons Learned From a Life with Dogs," threw viewers much more than a bone when he shared his knowledge on The Early Show Satuday Edition.

It's important, Forbes said, for you to take an honest inventory of how much travel ability your pet has. If you bring a pet that doesn't like to travel, it will be a waste of a vacation. You need to make it a positive experience for your pet at all times.

Test his travel ability. A good way is to go to a friend's place and put him in a room and see if he's okay with it. If he gets upset and starts panicking and crying, he's not going to be O.K. left in a car or a hotel room. You need to start early on in puppy training to make sure he's all set to go.

What should you do to prepare your pet for a trip?

The headline for this is socialization. You have to get your dog used to traveling in your car. Always give your dog a treat when he gets into and gets out of the car.

What should you do when you use a car?

The nuts and bolts of that are that you need make sure you have the restraints in the car. You want to have a pet emergency kit- you can get them at any store. They contain everything for dealing with any type of emergency. Call ahead every time your travel. Make sure you know where vets are located along the way and at your destination.

What should people do before taking an airplane trip with their pet?

Always check with your individual airline. Each one has different policies about animal carriage, so make sure you compliy with all the regulations. For international travel, make sure to have a health certificate that's not older than 72 hours.

What should you do if things don't go as smoothly as planned?

Make sure you have enough stuff for the trip, Make preparations in case you have an extra stay over. They may be stressed by being on the road and might need to relax. You have to factor in time for your pet, if you want to include him on your vacation.

What should pets travel in?

Whether you're flying or not, you should have an airline crate the pet can use. If the dog is comfortable with it, use it. Dogs are den animals and crates simulate their dens. It's a place they feel safe and secure. If you can bring that along, things will go much more smoothly. It's important to recreate their familiar surroundings. That way, they have time to adapt to any situation.

What kind of crate is OK?

You want one that's airline and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Look at the label to make sure. They're usually made of plastic. Ideally, I'd say its best to have a large one and a small one:one for home and one for travel. That way, the dog knows what to expect when traveling. Wire crates that fold under your bed aren't airline-approved and can't be brought on an aircraft. Again, that's why it pays to check with your airline before you go anywhere.