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Step 1
Decide if your dog is suited for travel. Taking a young puppy on vacation will only make you miserable. Taking a dog that hates riding in cars will make the dog miserable. Taking a dog that can be unpredictably aggressive toward strangers could be disastrous. Think objectively about your dog and its temperament. Not all dogs are suitable for travel, and that's all there is to it.
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Step 2
Find a dog-friendly destination. Rural or outdoor destinations are ideal, though there are several distinctively dog-friendly cities in the U.S., as well. In general, you want a place with scenic walking trails, or other places where you can exercises your dog.
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Step 3
Pick a good place to stay. These days, there are a lot of dog-friendly hotels and bed and breakfasts out there. Nevertheless, make sure that you read some reviews (and not just the testimonials on the hotel's website). Ideally, you want a place that does not just tolerate dogs, but genuinely welcomes them. In particular there are some bed and breakfast places that specialize in guests with dogs. This offers the added bonus giving you a chance to meet other dog lovers. There is also a better chance the you dog will have other dogs to play with. Make sure that the place is run by people who have experience supervising dogs, and who know how to create an environment that this both safe and pleasant.
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Step 4
Pack thoughtfully. When calculating how much food to bring, make sure that you bring some extra food, just in case your calculations are wrong, or in case you end up staying an extra day or two. Pack a few of your dogs favorite toys, but keep them in your room so that other dogs don't steal them. You may also want to bring a few special treats for your dog.
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Step 5
Purchase a safe car restraining system for your dog if you don't have one already. A dog is just a vulnerable as a person in a car accident. A system that simply clips your dog's collar to the seat belt is NOT adequite. You need a full body harness that attaches to the seatbelt. This will better distribute the force of an impact, and could save your dog's life.
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Step 6
When on long drives, don't forget that your dog is in the back seat. Have a passenger check on him regularly. Pull off the highway and walk your dog a little every three hours or so. This will help reduce car sickness and make him more comfortable as well.
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Step 7
If your dog is unaccustomed to sleeping outdoors, then do not take him camping. The dog will start barking every time a deer or other animal wanders anywhere nearby.
