Expert advice – Best tips for traveling with your dog on long trips
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Planning a trip with your dog requires careful consideration to ensure their comfort and safety throughout the trip. Whether you’re heading to another city or taking a cross-country road trip, these essential tips will help make your travel experience with your dog enjoyable and stress-free.
Make Your Dog Comfortable in the Car
- If your dog hasn’t traveled beyond quick trips to the vet, a longer road journey would require careful planning. Before considering extensive travels, ensure your dog feels comfortable and content in your car. It’s ideal to introduce them to car rides early in life to build their confidence for future trips.
Begin with short drives and gradually increase the duration of trips. Use praise and tasty treats to encourage positive behaviors. If your dog experiences motion sickness, avoid feeding them a few hours before the journey to prevent any accidents in the backseat. Once they’re at ease with shorter rides, gradually extend the duration. Start with a full-day trip and possibly an overnight stay. Once they handle these well, they’ll be ready for longer adventures.
Create a Specific Spot For Your Dog
- Just like at home, every dog has their preferred spots, and your car should be no different. They’ll feel more satisfied and secure with their designated area, so set up a blanket, dog bed, crate, or a specialized dog car seat just for them.
When they hop into the car, they’ll naturally head to their spot, making the journey more enjoyable for both of you. This will also prevent sudden movements as they try to climb onto your lap while you’re driving.
Pack their Essentials and Favorites
- Pack everything your dog needs throughout the day into one of your bags. This includes essentials like food, water, leashes, and poop bags, as well as just-in-case items such as dog tags and vaccination records. Don’t forget to include items that bring your pet joy, like their favorite blanket, toy, and plenty of treats.
Maintain a Consistent Routine
- Sticking to a regular schedule might seem challenging during a long drive, but it’s crucial for your dog’s comfort. Ensure your dog has consistent access to water, just as it does at home. Maintain their meal times for breakfast and dinner as usual.
Take regular potty breaks based on their normal routine. Maintaining their meal schedule helps you assess how often to stop during your road trip with your dog, similar to any other day. Larger dogs may require fewer bathroom breaks, whereas puppies might need more frequent stops. It’s advisable to be prepared with piddle pads just in case.
Choose Dog-Friendly Destinations
While we love to take our pets everywhere, not every destination is pet-friendly. Research during the trip planning phase can prevent headaches upon arrival, such as discovering dogs are restricted in your chosen state park. Use apps or pet travel planning websites to find dog-friendly accommodations, including nearby dog parks.
Consider Pet Boarding
You can only enjoy your vacation in a better way when you are satisfied that your pet is safe and in the right hands. Autumn Trails Veterinary Center offers veterinarians safe, convenient, and affordable boarding. For further questions, give us a call at (434) 971-9800. We can help you plan your pet’s stay.
