Traveling with your Shih Tzu can be an adventure. Whether it is just a picnic or a camping trip, a weekend at a posh resort or flying overseas, family vacations and getaways can be more fun when your four-legged friend can tag along. But there are also many challenges that you and your dog will have to overcome when traveling together. In addition to knowing laws and regulations (such as leash laws), you also need to make sure you're prepared in other ways, as well.

Here are some tips for traveling with dogs.

1) Before everything else, take your dog to a vet. Ensure that the dog has been given all necessary vaccinations and that they are up to date. You need to maintain shot records and keep them with you in the event that you have to present them to authorities or an emergency vet. Your vet should also tell you if your dog is capable of traveling. Share the nature of the trip with your vet. Some dogs may be fit to travel but the mode of transport and also the duration of the trip will have to be factored in to determine if the trip will be safe for your pet - particularly if it has health issues or is an older dog. You should also get the necessary health certifications as required by airlines or hotels, if required.

2) You should go shopping for your dog if you don’t have the essentials. You will need medications that your dog takes regularly, as well as a crate, identification and vaccination categories, a collar, and leash. Your Shih Tzu's I.D. tag should contain your contact information, in case your pet gets lost in an unfamiliar place. Finally, make sure that you carry a recent photo of your pet with you, in the event that he or she gets lost.

3) Get your dog accustomed to traveling in a car before embarking on long distance trips. Take your dog on short rides. Allow the dog to spend as much time as possible in your car. You may also need to prepare your car, if traveling in that manner. Make sure you have enough space for your dog to comfortably sit or lay, make sure that there is proper ventilation, and keep anything that your dog could choke on away from where he will be riding.

4) If you are flying, you'll need to check the regulations for your airline to find out if your dog can travel with you, as well as any costs or rules in relation to traveling with pets. You must also check with any hotel or other lodging to ensure they accept pets.

5) Always book flights in advance because all airlines have a limit on how many dogs they will allow on any given flight. Do not take your dog unless he or she is very well trained. You will have to keep your dog quiet in many places and your pet must not be difficult to deal with at any juncture.

5 Tips For Traveling With Shih Tzus