Traveling With Your Dog: The Co-Pilot Hub

Sniff and Shift was born in the passenger seat so consider this our home turf. Every guide we've written about road trips, camping, car culture, and adventuring with dogs (and cats), organized in one place.

Plan It: Our Free Adventure Tools

Before you dig into the guides below, let our free tools do the planning. Find a dog-welcoming car meet, show, or cruise on the Dog-Friendly Car Events Board, scout dog-friendly breweries, parks, trails, and beaches on the Dog-Friendly Adventure Map, then chain your stops into one route with the Dog Adventure Plotter it sends the whole day straight to Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. And when the adventure leaves the car muddy, find a brush-free wash that won't scratch the paint on the Touchless Car Wash Map.

Local Dog Guides: Chester County and the Main Line

Closer to home base, we keep town-by-town guides to the best dog-friendly parks, patios, breweries, and trails, each one checked and dated:

• Dog-Friendly Malvern our home turf
• Dog-Friendly West Chester
• Dog-Friendly Phoenixville
• Dog-Friendly Exton

Washing up after? Browse genuinely touch-free car washes by county: Chester County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, or the full Philadelphia-area list.

Road Trips

• The Co-Pilot's Guide to Road Trips With Dogs start here: safety, feeding, breaks, and packing
• Why healthy snacks belong on every road trip
• Keeping dogs entertained on long drives
• Weekend getaway essentials
• Build a DIY pet travel kit
• Keeping treats fresh in a hot car

Camping, Trails, and the Outdoors

• Overlanding With Dogs: the complete setup guide
• Packing light for weekend campouts
• Off-leash reliability from backyard to trailhead
• Building a rock-solid recall the most important trail skill

Car Culture and Dogs

• The K9 Cruiser: our dog-friendly daily driver build
• Car meets and Cruise Weekend with dogs
• Working the car show circuit with your dog
• Tailgating on game day
• Paws and pistons: why car people spoil their dogs

Seasonal Safety on the Road

• Summer heat safety
• Winter and snow-day care
• Fireworks and noise anxiety
• Holiday and BBQ food safety

Traveling With Cats (Yes, Really)

• Calming feline car anxiety
• Lightweight treats for traveling cats

Fuel for the Journey

Freeze-dried treats are the travel snack that can't melt, spill, or spoil: no grease on the seats, no cooler required, no crumbs in the console. Stock the glovebox from our dog collection, grab poop bags for the rest stops, and pack a long-lasting chew for hotel evenings. New to freeze-dried? Read The Complete Guide to Freeze-Dried Pet Treats.

Before the dog gets in: a seat cover, truck cover or door cover keeps mud, hair and claws off the upholstery for the whole trip. Ours come from 4Knines in Oklahoma City through Shopify Collective, shipped by them, not by us.

Resources

People and organizations we point road-tripping dog owners toward. Every link goes to the source, not to an affiliate.

Gear makers

• Gunner Kennels A Tennessee maker of crash tested dog crates, made in the United States.
• Sleepypod crash tested carriers A maker of crash tested pet carriers and the Clickit crash tested car harness.
• PupSaver car seat A maker of crash tested dog car seats.
• Saker Canine harness A maker of crash tested dog harnesses.
• Whisker Bark seat covers A brand dedicated to dog car seat covers.
• Kurgo A dog travel and car gear brand making harnesses and related travel gear.
• Snoozer Pet Products A South Carolina maker of dog car seats, ramps and travel bedding.
• PetStep folding ramps A Wisconsin maker of folding dog ramps for cars, SUVs and trucks.
• K9 Sport Sack A maker of dog backpack carriers and outdoor gear for active and travelling dog owners.
• Wilderdog A dog adventure and camping gear brand making harnesses, leashes, sleeping bags and backpacks, with a retailer program.
• Alcott Adventures An Ohio maker of dog adventure gear including sleeping bags, pup tents and life jackets.
• OllyDog outdoor gear A Boulder, Colorado maker of outdoor dog gear including leashes, packs and travel accessories.
• Southern Cross Cut Gear A United States maker of protective vests for hunting dogs, with a dealer program.
• Adventure Dog Series kits A New Hampshire outdoor safety gear maker whose Adventure Dog Series is a line of vet designed first aid kits.
• Waggle pet monitor A cellular temperature and GPS geofence monitor for pets left in RVs and cars.
• SpotOn GPS fence A GPS dog fence brand that sells through a curated network of boutique retailers.
• Dexas Popware travel bowls A Texas maker of collapsible travel bowls and water bottles under the Popware line.
• Mendota Pet leads A Minnesota maker of leashes and slip leads, made in the United States and sold through independent retailers.
• Auburn Leathercrafters A four generation New York manufacturer of leather leashes, collars and boots, made in the United States.
• California Collar Co. A small leather collar workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico, making collars in the United States.
• Copper Leaf Leather An Illinois maker of personalized handmade leather collars and leashes.
• Karma Collars A Florida maker of handmade leather dog collars and leashes, with a gear guide section.
• Up Country A Rhode Island maker of collars, leashes, harnesses and apparel, in business for 40 years and manufacturing in the United States.
• Wagwear A New York apparel and gear brand making dog boots, coats, harnesses and bandanas since 1998.
• The Foggy Dog A bandana, collar and apparel brand sold through more than 800 independent retail partners.
• FunDog Bandanas A Minneapolis bandana maker with a wholesale program.
• Camping With Dogs An apparel brand built around camping and hiking with dogs, which partners with rescues.
• Sassy Dog Fashions A dog apparel and accessories maker in Northampton, Pennsylvania, near Allentown, with an active blog.
• Ruff Dawg A Worcester, Massachusetts manufacturer of rubber dog toys, made in the United States and free of phthalates and BPA.
• American Dog toys A Denver manufacturer of dog toys made in the United States.
• HuggleHounds A New Jersey durable toy maker founded by pet industry veterans, whose Tuffut-Flex and Tuffut-Lon lines are made in the United States.
• PAW5 slow feeders An enrichment brand built around slow feeding, making the Wooly snuffle mat and food puzzles.
• Golden Pup Enrichment A Virginia enrichment brand founded by a certified trainer, making snuffle mats.
• Bad Tags A Colorado woman owned small business making personalized pet ID tags.
• Gearlanders An overlanding and outdoor gear retailer in Scottsdale, Arizona, with adventure content.
• Off Grid Trailers An off road trailer maker that publishes overlanding with dogs content.
• LFD Off Road An overlanding gear company that publishes a guide to overlanding with dogs.
• Poison Spyder Customs An off road and Jeep parts brand with its own apparel line and an established dealer network.
• Cottage Craft Works A retailer of American made goods that carries a hunting dog gear category.

Travel writers

• Adventures of A plus K A van life couple who write about full time travel with their dog Kona.
• Road Trip Locals A road trip blog written by owners who travel with their dog Lincoln.
• Two Wandering Soles A travel blog with a dedicated guide to van life with pets.
• RV Miles An RV travel blog and podcast.
• Terradrift An adventure and sustainable travel blog that regularly features the authors' dog.
• Three Dogs One Bar A dog travel blog covering road trips beyond its home base.
• Hiking Up with the Pup A hiking blog written entirely around hiking with a dog.
• Dog Jaunt A long running small dog travel blog with destination advice.
• GoPetFriendly A long running pet travel blog, formerly a directory, with a personal account of the Appalachian Trail with a dog.
• Wear Wag Repeat A dog lifestyle blog and podcast with road trip content.
• Sparkles and Sunshine Blog A pet blog covering dog hiking and trail gear.
• Pet Life Radio Travel Tails A pet travel podcast hosted by the Fido Friendly Magazine team.
• Starwood Pet Travel A pet relocation company that hosts the Pet Travel Insider podcast.
• Dogs of Charm City A Baltimore dog community blog and dog walking service that keeps a weekly updated list of more than 100 dog friendly Maryland breweries.
• Chesapeake Family Life Magazine A Maryland family lifestyle magazine covering Baltimore, Annapolis and Columbia, with a roundup of dog friendly destinations in the state.
• The Montclair Girl A Montclair based regional lifestyle site with a guide to dog friendly New Jersey beaches covering Wildwood, Asbury Park, Cape May and Longport.
• Go2OCNJ An independent Ocean City, New Jersey travel guide with an article on pet friendly beaches, covering the off season dog beach and Corson's Inlet.
• The Inn at Lewes A pet friendly inn in Lewes, Delaware, with studio suites that take up to two dogs, which publishes a southern Delaware dog adventures guide.

Trail and park groups

• Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy The nonprofit steward of the 150 mile Great Allegheny Passage, which runs from Pennsylvania into Maryland and sees about a million visitors a year.
• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy A national rail trail nonprofit that publishes Pennsylvania trail guides.
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy The nonprofit for the Appalachian Trail, whose corridor runs through Pennsylvania, and which publishes hiking with dogs content.
• Tails of the Trail A nonprofit that pairs trail hikes with shelter dog advocacy, headquartered in Fernandina Beach, Florida, with hikes held in several states.

Tourism boards

• Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau The official visitors bureau for Chester County, with town guides covering West Chester, Kennett Square and Phoenixville.
• Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce The Coatesville area chamber of commerce, in its 110th year, with member news and an events calendar.
• Kennett Collaborative The main street nonprofit for downtown Kennett Square, which runs Third Thursdays on State Street and a community stories blog.
• Discover Lancaster Lancaster County's official tourism site, with a pet friendly guide covering Beau's Dream Dog Park and brewery patios.
• Visit Cumberland Valley Publishes a Cumberland Valley beer trail guide listing ten Pennsylvania breweries with outdoor dog areas, including a fenced patio at Whiskers Brewing.
• Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau The official Pocono Mountains tourism site, with a pet friendly attractions page covering more than 40 resorts and campgrounds.
• Visit Bucks County The official Bucks County tourism site, with a pet friendly page listing eight pet hotels, the Bucks County Ale Trail and a 60 mile leashed towpath.
• Village Improvement Association of Doylestown An all volunteer Bucks County civic nonprofit founded in 1895, running community events through the year.
• Visit Somerset County NJ Somerset County's official tourism site, with a dog friendly page listing eight dog parks, the 70 mile D&R Canal towpath and dog friendly breweries.
• Visit Central Delaware Kent County's official tourism site, with a guide to dog friendly central Delaware covering Killens Pond State Park and Blackbird State Forest.
• Delaware Beaches Visitor Guide An independent Delaware beaches visitor guide with a pets on vacation page covering the rules at Rehoboth, Dewey, Bethany and Fenwick Island.
• Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County The official Annapolis tourism site, with a pet friendly hotels page and coverage of dog friendly bay cruises and dog parks.
• Mountain Maryland Allegany County's official tourism site, covering the dog friendly beaches at Rocky Gap State Park and the 1812 Brewery dog patio.
• Hudson Valley Tourism The official Hudson Valley tourism site, with a list of ten dog friendly hiking trails including the Appalachian Trail at Pawling, Kaaterskill Falls and Teatown Lake.
• Destination Dutchess Dutchess County's official tourism site, with a dog friendly guide covering the Walkway Over the Hudson and several breweries.
• Ulster County Tourism The official Ulster County tourism site, whose FAQ confirms leashed dogs are welcome on most trails.
• Discover Long Island Long Island's official tourism board, with a pet friendly guide covering wineries, breweries and parks.

Pet services (vets, sitters, photographers)

• Metropolitan Veterinary Associates A specialty and referral hospital serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, with a county by county trainer referral list.
• Susquehanna Valley Veterinary Clinic A veterinary clinic on Kohn Road in Harrisburg, with a links and resources page covering adoption and pet health.
• Akeso Veterinary Clinic A veterinary clinic in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, with a blog on pet health topics.
• North Fork Veterinary Clinic A veterinary clinic in Brookville, Pennsylvania, whose blog covers Pennsylvania specific issues such as ticks and trails.
• World of Animals Veterinary Hospital A multi location Philadelphia area veterinary group serving Bethayres, Bensalem, Mayfair, Rittenhouse and South Philadelphia.
• Talleyville Veterinary Hospital A veterinary hospital in Wilmington, Delaware, with a resources page covering pet nutrition.
• Bay Animal Hospital A veterinary hospital in Townsend, Delaware, with a resources menu and a blog.
• Charm City Veterinary Hospital A veterinary hospital in Baltimore, at the Natty Boh Tower.
• Marriottsville Animal Hospital A veterinary practice with locations in Ellicott City and Marriottsville, Maryland, with a links page.
• Hounds Town Reading A dog daycare and boarding location in Reading, Pennsylvania, with a blog and a podcast.
• LeeLee's PetCare A boarding and sitting business serving New Castle, Wilmington, Greenville, Hockessin and Newark in Delaware, plus parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
• The Tail Trail A family owned dog walking and pet sitting company in Oradell, serving Bergen County and northern New Jersey.
• For Paws Philly A Philadelphia pet sitting and dog walking company operating since 2004.
• PT's Pet Sitting Service A pet sitting and dog walking company serving Cherry Hill, Voorhees and Marlton in southern New Jersey.
• Barking Trails A dog walking, pet sitting and boarding company serving Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Washington DC, with an active blog.
• Simply Yours Concierge A dog walking and pet sitting company covering Monmouth, Somerset, Middlesex and Mercer counties in central New Jersey.
• Content Critter A family owned pet sitting and dog walking company in Newark, Delaware, operating since 2008 and also serving parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland.
• What About the Pets A dog walking and pet sitting company in Roseland, New Jersey, serving Essex County.
• On Good Behavior A New Jersey dog training and behavior business with a resources page listing trainers and behaviorists.
• Supernova Dogs A dog training facility in Tonawanda, New York, that publishes a hiking with dogs gear guide.
• Animal Crackers Pet Boutique and Grooming A grooming salon and boutique in Laurel, Maryland.
• Pet Imagery by Lauren Kaplan A Philadelphia pet photographer working since 2010.
• Alexa Nahas Photography A Philadelphia pet photographer who publishes a dog dates travel guide.
• Leslie Leda Photography A pet photographer serving New York City and New Jersey, whose journal covers dog travel.
• Puptrait Studio A dog portrait studio in Baltimore with a dog tips section.

See you out there and if you spot a wrapped Camaro with a small dog supervising from the back seat, that's us. Come say hi at our next event.

Take this tool on the road 📱, the Sniff and Shift App puts these maps in your pocket, tracks walks and road trips into real treat rewards, and adds a health dashboard for your co-pilot. The beta is live, grab it on TestFlight, or join the Pit Crew for release news.