Traveling to Italy with a dog

I expect that Barley will be along shortly to relate his experiences travelling as a dog - although Barley could probably have a Yorkie for an appetizer at lunch because he isn't a small dog.

He lives with Karen in Verbania just down the road from Stresa.

Assuming you live in the US, have you traveled internationally with your dog before? If not, do some research on what's required for bringing a dog into another country. Here is one website that might give you some idea. But you need to check Italy's requirements specifically.

My dog is a Rottweiler, and she loves to go to the kennel where she can interact with other dogs. And she needs a vacation from us.

I agree with David. Whether I'm traveling to some foreign country or to our local supermarket, I love my dog so much, he stays home where he is most comfortable and plays with his local pals until we get back. No surprise that we're all happy to be reunited. (I'm pretty sure he'd hate the crowds in the Vatican. Oh, wait. I don't think they'd let him in there...)

My small dog travels with me to Denver regularly, where I'll sometimes stay for a month or more. And she stays there with my parents when I take my longer trips to Europe. The best travel investment I made for her was an expandable travel carrier like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KGL98CS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My dog is quite likely bigger than your Yorkie, but it allows her to stretch out under the seat in front of me, still fully contained, during the flight.

I'm sure you have already thought about all of these issues. But ...

First thing is decide what sights you want to visit. Then check to see if they allow dogs. Many do not. Where do you then leave the dog if you still want to visit those sights?

There is a lot of paperwork required to take any type of pet to Europe. Check with your veterinarian to see if they can provide the proper papers showing our dog has been vaccinated and so on as required in Europe.

Your airline will charge for the pet. You have to keep it in the carrier on the plane for the entire flight whether or not the pet is in the cabin with you. There are limits to how many pets are allowed on a plane per flight. Make sure you have this all reserved and paid for with your airline long before the trip.

You also have to be sure the places you choose to stay allow pets. You have to bring or find pet food acceptable your pet's dietary needs.

For me, as much as I love my pet and I know it misses me when I am away longer than a normal work day, it is just easier on both of us to leave it in a kennel or with friends while I am away.

hey hey bcarrizzo
@nigel LOL that’s the truth, kibbles and bits for barley.
you really have to do a lot of research, homework, and paperwork. the poster Nigel mentions is Karen and Tom who moved to Italy with their dog, read up on her blog “barley’s grand adventures”
like others here, I agreed with leaving your dog where he/she is happy, yes they will miss you. I am the go to dog sitter for my friends here. pack up a bag and move in while they are gone. It’s a trust issue too but all are happy, parents and my furry friends are contented. I’m retired and can be with them.
Their tails wiggle when you get back, life is good.
aloha

We are always tempted to bring our dog with us to Italy because she is an Italian breed of dog and we like to run into other owners of this breed while walking around.

However, she would be even more miserable on the flight over than I always am.

We found an online dog-sitting business called Rover that is like Uber, sort of --- it has reviews, photos, details like whether the sitters have cats or other dogs, whether they take older dogs or dogs with issues, etc. We met with some potential sitters and easily found a family with four kids and a fenced-in yard (which we don't have) and she LOVES them and they love her. It is truly like a vacation for her. We are typically gone for 4 or 5 weeks and the family sends us photos and emails. So much nicer than any kennel.

Honestly, for a short trip I'd find a dog-sitter at home. It'll be easier on your dog and easier on you as there are so many attractions where you won't be able to take him/her. What sorts of things are you intending to see/do in Italy?

Barley and his owners are/were going to be living in Italy MUCH longer term than just a 3-week trip.

http://barleysgrandadventures.com

I will agree with the others here that say for three weeks find a friend or great dog kennel. There are some wonderful ones that have better facilities than some hotels. Also note that most attractions in Italy like churches, museums and some restaurants don't allow pets so someone would be forced to stay in hotel or apartment and I haven't seen many vacation rentals that take pets in the city.

I have a stylist who has an adorable little Yorkie that she brings to work but even she leaves him at home when they travel overseas.

We took our cats when we moved to Rome and it was a lot of stress and rigmarole to get the paperwork, get exam, and USDA certification done in the one week (mandatory) prior to travel. Worse, however, was coming home as you need to have an Italian veterinary certificate of exam and then you have to take that paper to a government veterinarian who will validate it for you for a small fee. This latter activity also had to be within 7 days of flight and in our case, in Rome mind you, that office was only open 2 days a week for 3 or 4 hours at a stretch. So you’d have to build your itinerary around hitting that target and what if something went amiss and the office wasn’t open or, God forbid, the Italian vet found a problem? Lot of hassle.

Depends on the relationship with your four legged family member. When we leave our thirty pound dog, she whines and begs to go-even to Lowes. I feel always guilty to leave her-I mean my wife doesn't leave me! That said, we have not taken her to Europe, but it's always a guilt inducing event for me, but she is able to stay with her two legged brother or sister. Delta no longer accepts pets. Sure would be interested in how you can figure it out.

Has anyone asked the dog in question what her/his preferences are?

Hey hey
I know that karen, Tom an barley we’re moving to Italy, longer than the 3 weeks you’re planning. If you check her blog way back in 2018 about paperwork and what’s needed you understand a lot involved.
thanks to laurel and her viewpoint, forgot you had cats to bring back and what’s involved, that’s stress.
our furry friends are our family and like other poster have you asked pet how they feel? If you lived near me I’d be happy to go and take care of your “baby”, we’d both be spoiled. Haha
aloha

I have heard from other people that Lufthansa is the best airline to fly with small pets in the cabin. Check out their website, also you need a EU pet passport

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Hi, Karen with Barley here

We came to Europe via the QM2, but Barley weighs 90 pounds, so flying him as cargo was out of the question. There are a lot of specific steps to take your dog to Europe. The USDA paperwork is valid for 4 months so no reason to get an EU pet passport.

It’s important that you have previously travelled with your little guy. We lucked out and have the perfect travel dog. Nothing phases him- he sleeps and eats anywhere, doesn’t bark as long as we anticipate his needs (food, needs to relieve himself, needs attention, or wants to play fetch). Not every fur ball is cut out for travel.

Here’s a couple links that would be helpful.
Scroll down to Taking a Dog to Europe section

documents for taking dog to Europe

It’s very easy finding places to stay. I mostly use booking.com and filter on pet friendly. Also confirm via email they allow pets, and cost. Make sure you bring a muzzle, if asked, you need to comply.

Let me know if your have any specific questions.