Planning a vacation with your four legged companion is a great way to spend time with your dog. It can also be a disaster if you don’t do some advanced planning and organization as well as prepare your dog for the adventure. Most dogs make terrific traveling companions provided they have regular exercise breaks and are trained to ride in the vehicle in a relaxed and calm fashion.
The following 5 tips will help make your car travels with your dog safe and fun for everyone:
1. Get Your Dog Accustom To The Vehicle
If your dog is not used to traveling in the car it is highly recommended to get them used to taking small trips with you. Some puppies or dogs may be prone to car sickness until they are accustomed to travel. By making shorter trips that end in something fun like a walk at the park your dog will associate being in the car with a reward.
2. Restrain Your Dog In A Safety Device
For your dog’s health and safety it is simply not a good idea to have them loose and romping about in the car. It is also a road hazard to have the dog sitting on the drivers lap or even worse hanging out the window. For medium to large breed dogs there are handy harness style seatbelts that fasten to a shoulder belt. These allow the dog some freedom of movement while still protecting them in the event of an accident or sudden stop. Smaller dogs can be placed in their crate for traveling and the crate can be fasted to the seatbelt with a special adapter strap much like a baby seat is secured.
3. Plan Regular Stops
While you may be able to eat at a drive through and have a soda on the drive, your dog certainly won’t be able to do the same. He or she will need to routinely get out and go to the bathroom, plus they need fresh water to prevent dehydration. It is a good idea to plan to stop for some exercise and a break for at least 15 minutes every two or three hours. If you have a very high energy dog you may need more frequent stops and some dogs can go longer without becoming distressed. If you plan ahead you may be able to double up your stops at parks and attractions, making this a great option for the whole family.
4. Never Let The Dog Out Of The Vehicle Off The Leash
Even very well behaved dogs that come back on command can become excited and stressed and simply take off when they get out of a car. They may find something exciting in the air they want to investigate or they may simply be confused and dart out onto a road. By attaching the leash to the collar before the dog gets out of the car you can avoid all these possible issues.
5. Book Hotels In Advance And Confirm They Accept Your Breed Of Dog
This is a concern if you have a large breed or a breed that may have restrictions. Pit Bulls and other dogs may be banned in some urban areas so be sure you check with the hotel that you can bring the dog into the hotel with you. Remember that you will typically pay an addition fee per night to have your dog in the room and he or she has to be well behaved and quiet or you will be asked to leave.
Article by Tiffany Gerhart of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top spot to purchase dog carriers online.