Welcome to the 5-Minute Dog, the mini-podcast that delivers practical training advice in less than 5 minutes. My dog, scooter, and I are getting ready for our beach vacation and as I started thinking about the logistics of taking him along, I realized there are a lot of little details that make traveling with your dog a little smoother. I even chose my Airbnb specifically because it had a fenced-in backyard. So since I'm in planning mode, I thought I'd share my checklist and some tips for making travel with your dog less stressful and a lot more enjoyable. So when you're traveling with your dog, whether it's an Airbnb or a dog-friendly hotel, there are things that make the trip go a lot smoother. Bring familiar items like their bed or blanket or favorite toys. Those scents help your dog settle into the new space, and always check the rules before you go.

Pet friendly doesn't mean the same thing everywhere. Some hosts don't allow dogs on furniture, some charge extra fees, some even have size limits and when you arrive, take a quick walk through the place and dog proof it. Move breakables, check for cords, see if there's any food left behind and make sure trash cans are out of reach and accidents can happen. So pack enzyme, spray wipes and plenty of bags, and speaking of bags, cleaning up after your dog outside is huge. A lot of places stop being dog friendly because people don't pick up after their dogs. Leave the space better than you found it, and it also helps to set up a safe spot, and that might be a crate or just a corner with their bed and toys, somewhere they know is their place when you're busy or stepping out. And don't forget about exercise, maybe even more exercise than they're used to. The more energy your dog burns outside on walks or during play, the calmer they'll be inside, especially in a smaller Airbnb or hotel room.

And keep in mind some dogs do get anxious in new spaces, even if the place looks like home. So try not to leave your dog alone right away. If you have to start with a short outing maybe five minutes and see how they handle it, a helpful trick is to set up a camera to record while you're gone, or even start a FaceTime call and leave one phone in the room so you can watch in real time. That way you'll know exactly what happened instead of guessing. And if you already expect your dog to be anxious, talk to your vet before the trip. They may recommend calming supplements, medications or other strategies to make the experience less stressful for your dog. And finally, look up the area before you go, know where the closest green spaces are and where the potty spots are, ask the hotel staff or check the Airbnb listing for what's allowed in the yard. With just a little planning, traveling with your dog can be a lot easier and way more fun.