On a recent weekend trip to Seattle, WA we packed up the dogs in the car and grabbed just about everything we though we would need for the trip. Leashes, water bowls, Chuck-It, etc for the dogs, coffee and snacks for us.

As the trip progressed, however, I found we had forgotten more and more things for the dogs to make the trip go as smoothly as possible. Luckily we were visiting Seattle, WA a large but also very dog-friendly city, so we were able grab a lot of the things we needed along the way.

If you're planning a weekend trip with your dog in the near future, we've made this post especially for you, its the DIY Doggy Travel Kit

Prepare for your trip:

• Know where you're going and how long its going to take to get there. If its a long road-trip plan out stops you may need to take to let your dogs pee and stretch their legs. Anticipate any traffic jams as part of your route. You may need to scout out some pull-off spots along the way in case you get stuck in traffic.
  

• Find a couple good places to let your dog run when you get to your destination. Dogs who've been sitting in a car for a couple of hours are going to be ready to run! Have a couple places (off-leash dog parks or other public areas) in mind, in case one of the parks is closed or too busy. In Seattle we stumbled across a great brochure listing all the off-leash dog parks throughout the city. Check out COLADogorg for more info.

• Check the weather before you leave. Expecting rain? Bring extra towels for the dogs. Warm and sunny? Bring lots of extra water for your dogs after they play.

Things to pack:

• Water bowls
• Treats, snacks, or our personal favorite bullysticks
• Comfy dog bed or some old blankets for your dog to sleep on in the car
• Poop bags
• Food (if you'll be traveling when your dog usually eats)
• Toys -- Chuck-It, Frisbee, Chew Toys, etc.
• Towels -- If your dog get muddy during play time, you'll be thanking your lucky stars you brought one of these
• Extra water especially for the dog
• Leashes