Here are some simple tips for hitting the road with your dog:
If you have a young dog (or a dog of any age for that matter), it will take a bit of planning to make sure the dog isn’t going to spend the whole trip filling your car with unpleasant smells and deposits. Unfortunately some dogs are prone to getting car sick. If you’ve ever experienced this you know that it is not a pleasant experience.
One of the best things a dog owner can do is to not let your dog eat for a couple of hours before getting into the car and to make sure your dog has plenty of time to relieve himself, although with a puppy, that’s never a sure thing
Here are some other tips for turning your dog into a road warrior:
• Ease into car rides by taking your dog on some short drives.
• Be sure your dog is restrained in a seatbelt or crate
• Never let your dog ride in the bed of a pickup truck. Dogs can be severely injured by jumping out or getting caught by leashes or dragged. They are also at risk if you make a sudden stop or crash.
• Feed your dog less before a trip than you normally would. Limit water as well.
• Pack some of your dog’s favorite toys and blankets/bedding
• Make sure your dog has an ID tag on his collar in case he gets loose
• Never let your dog stick its head out the window. Rocks, bugs, and other debris could hit him in the eye.
• Never leave your dog inside a car in warm weather. In a matter of minutes, a car can heat up like an oven. Parking in the shade or rolling down the windows does not help in preventing heat exhaustion.
Get more tips for traveling with your dog.
