Planning a road trip with your dog, but worried it could turn into a nightmare?
With the right preparation, a vacation with your faithful companion by your side can be hugely rewarding. You won’t have to spend your trip worrying about your dog pining away in kennels – plus you get to enjoy time together in new destinations. If your dog has never been on a long journey, however, you’ll need to do some groundwork before you leave.
- Before your vacation, get your dog used to car travel by taking him out on short journeys, gradually building up the amount of time spent on the road — overcoming any initial motion sickness or travel anxiety.
- Order an identification tag including your mobile telephone number so that if your dog goes astray while you’re on vacation you can easily be contacted. Consider microchipping if you haven’t already.
- Invest in a good crate or seatbelt harness to secure your dog while you’re driving.
- Research dog-friendly tourist attractions and accommodation before you travel.
- Make sure your vehicle’s air conditioning is working effectively before you leave. On the road, make sure your dog has plenty of space, regular drinks, and is kept cool and out of direct sunlight.
- Take your vet’s telephone number with you.
- Pack plenty of your dog’s normal food to avoid sudden dietary changes that could upset his digestion.
- Pack your dog’s own bedding – it will make him feel secure and comfortable.
- Feed your dog only a third of his normal meal before you set off, just in case he feels travel sick.
- Finally, and perhaps most importantly, never leave your dog unattended in a car in warm weather – even a short time in a hot vehicle can prove fatal.
With all the right preparation, and everything you need packed up in the car, you can look forward to a stress-free road trip!
Author: Rebecca Burns
Professional dog trainer Debbie Jacobs offers great tips on behavior training to prepare your dog to travel with you. Learn to teach your dog to be a good traveler to make the most of your trips with your dogs.
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