Of course, the first rule of travel pertains to when the car is parked. Never leave your dog in a hot or cold car unattended. Doing so isn’t just uncomfortable for your dog—it can be life threatening.

Secondly, when the car is moving, do you know how your dog acts and reacts? Does your dog ride quietly in the car? A howling, frightened, barking or vomiting dog in the backseat is not fun. Here are some tips to help your canine companion travel a bit more calmly.

If your dog tends to get overexcited and whines, barks or paces in the car, try the following strategies to encourage calm behavior:

• Take a Kong toy and stuff it full of peanut butter. If your dog is lying down in the backseat, happily working on extracting tongue sticking peanut butter, he can’t be a problem.
• Consider crate training your dog, if the vehicle has room. Resting in a comfy crate covered with a blanket or towel may cut down on his excitement and barking.
• Make sure your dog does not get motion sick from rides in the car.

WebMD makes these recommendations of things to pack for your dog on long trips

Dog travel essentials:

• Medical and vaccine records, in the event an emergency trip to the vet is needed
• Pet tags with your cell phone number in case he gets lost
• Favorite toys that will help your dog feel at home
• Your dog's meds, if applicable
• Food, bowl, and scooper
• Leash should always be worn out of the car
• Doggie harness or travel seat

For more information on what to pack for your dog on a trip, check the WebMD site.

Finally, here are some Potty Pointers:

Some people don’t know until their first road trip that Arfy will not pee or poop anywhere but the backyard. Teaching your dog to do his duty in new and different places and on cue will speed up your trip and allow faster breaks at rest stops. To teach your dog this skill early on in preparation for any upcoming journey. Try the following steps:

• When your dog is about to eliminate—when you see him sniffing, circling or sidling up to a tree—say your new cue, “Take care of things!” Aim to say the cue right before your dog starts to urinate.
• As your dog relieves himself, praise him quietly and, after he finishes, give him more praise.

Repeat these simple steps constantly. With practice, your dog will get better and better at relieving himself right after he hears the “Take Care of Things” cue. At this point, start practicing in different places and on different surfaces. Eventually, your pet will get the message and cut to the chase as soon as he hears the words and has a clear area to handle things.

For additional potty pointers, check out this article from Spotless Dog Wash.

Taking your dog with you on an extended trip should be a joy, but only if you are fully prepared for all the various contingencies in advance. You and your dog want no surprises, just a great time together.