(Mobil Travel Guide, $17.95)

Summary: This 470-page guide lists more than 4,000 pet-friendly accommodations in the United States and Canada, with a smattering of tips.

Treats: First aid and health advice is so helpful, the book could act as an at-home guide, too. Best tip: Check pet's health insurance policy (yes, they exist) to make sure he's covered away from home. And while you're at it, check your homeowners policy to see if it covers whatever damage Kitty might do to the legs of the hotel room sofa.

Lodging choices: Descriptions of lodgings (mostly motels) aren't any more pet-oriented than those in other Mobil guides. Typical descriptions are like this one of the Super 8 in Luverne, Minn.: "Pets accepted, some restrictions; fee." That's it.

Animal activities: The guide directs you to online sources for finding dog parks and canine camps. Otherwise, activity listings are not included.

Bottom line: While the tips on pet care are tops, this guide is the least fetching of the three.

(AAA Publishing: $17.95)

Summary: Beyond the 14,000 lodging listings, the 720-page guide has a meaty advice section.

Treats: Recognizing that some folks bring their pets to Canada with them, the book offers specific advice for travel there. For instance, you must bring along a health certificate and a document showing proof of rabies vaccination; your pet's collar tags won't cut it. You'll need these documents to get in and out of the country.

Lodging choices: Like most AAA guides, the book uses a dizzying array of symbols to describe each property, including a paw print to indicate pet amenities, such as dog beds or pet menus. Other helpful info includes size of pet allowed, whether crates or supervision is required, deposit fee, even whether you can leave Fluffy in the room while the housekeepers tidy up. Listings are mostly chain hotels and motels, with some vacation homes, rentable condos, cabins and B&Bs as well.

Animal activities: Who knew that not all dog parks are open to the general public? Some only allow locals, but this guide lists parks that welcome traveling dogs, including the Calabasas Bark Park in California, which has doggie water fountains. The guide tells of more than 230 national parks and other public lands that allow dogs, including Nez Perce National Forest in Idaho. And who knew so many theme parks have kennels?

Bottom line: Always reliable on the road, AAA has produced a guide that could be man's second-best friend.

(www.DogFriendly.com, $19.95)

Summary: Recognizing that dogs aren't meant to be left in hotel rooms, this 692-page guide lists many activities in which your pooch can partake.

Treats: Did you know that there are some transportation systems that allow dogs to ride? The Boston T, for instance, permits leashed dogs during off-peak hours. In Washington state, the King County bus system and street cars in Seattle allow dogs, too. Lapdogs are free, but larger dogs must pay the full human fare (but can't take a seat).

Lodging choices: Alphabetical by state, the listings tell you the dog-friendliness of chain hotels and motels, not what amenities are there for humans. Descriptions of inns are a little more detailed, even telling you, for instance, that the owners of the Bear Track Inn in Gustauus, Alaska, have a large dog. Unfortunately, only local phone numbers are listed for each property; toll-free ones would help. The list of hotels along major highways is helpful.

Animal activities: The book's authors throw you a bone with their comprehensive city mini-guides, which include recommendations of restaurants with dog-friendly outdoor seating and stores that allow dogs, such as Neiman Marcus in San Francisco. Its beach guides are great, too, as is the list of the top five national parks for dogs (Shenandoah National Park is No. 3, allowing leashed dogs on most trails).

Bottom line: The lack of critical reviews of hotels is more than made up for by the impressive list of things to do with your dog.