Traveling with your dog can be fun and stressful at the same time, both for you and for your pup. On the surface, your dog might look excited with his tail wagging non-stop, but you need to make sure that the long ride will not make him feel cooped up. You need to prepare yourself for the lethargy that you might see in them during the travel and the potential upset stomach..
Whether you are traveling by road or air, the one thing you need to focus on is your dog’s comfort. The more at ease he is, the less anxious he will feel.
Following are ten tips on how to keep your dog safe during your travel:
Tip #1
Get Him Chipped
The first thing you should do is get your dog microchipped. During your trip, your dog will be exposed to plenty of people and smells, and he will get distracted. If he does tug on your leash and run away from you, at least you will have hope that he will be easily found and returned to you. Speak with your vet if you have not already had your pet microchipped.
Tip #2
Use a Travel Crate
Force-free dog training 101 includes teaching your dog how to use their crate. Once your dog becomes accustomed to the crate, you can use it during your travel. If he gets restless while traveling, spending some time in the crate will make him feel safer.
Tip #3
Keep All His Medications in a Pouch in Your Bag
Make sure to keep your dog’s current medication on you at all times. Some of the most common preventatives include tick, flea, and heartworm prescriptions.
Tip #4
Don’t Let Your Dog Ride Shotgun
If your car has an airbag, do not put your dog in the front seat. In the case of a car crash, the pressure of the airbag might prove fatal. Keep your furry friend in the backseat with a doggy seat belt on, or in their crate if there is room in your car.
Tip #5
Do Not Leave Your Pet Alone in the Car
Even a short run to the store during your travel can be quite traumatic for your dog. If your dog has anxiety issues, he might feel abandoned. Not to mention that in dry and sunny weather, there are high chances of heatstroke. Try traveling with a buddy to help with those quick pit stops or look for dog friendly stops along the way.
Tip #6
Skip a Meal Before Travelling
A little anxiety and motion sickness is felt by all dogs when traveling. Two of the most common symptoms of these are diarrhea and vomiting. This is not something you want, whether you are traveling solo or on a plane. Don’t starve your dog. Just skip a meal and give them a few treats instead. Be sure to give your dog plenty of water, though!
Tip #7
Bring Your Own Water
If you are traveling to another city or state, make sure to get a bottle of water from your home place. Your dog might get an upset stomach due to the change in the water’s pH level.
Tip #8
Bring His Favorite Toy on the Trip
To help your dog combat anxiety, make sure that they have their favorite toy nearby. Another way to keep them occupied is to get a puzzle toy, one with treats. This way, you can feed them easily and keep their attention off the road.
Tip #9
Keep Your Dog Restrained If He’s Traveling for the First Time
We don’t need to tell you the dangers of dogs leaning too much out the car window. If your dog is traveling for the first time, restraining him with a seatbelt or a harness is a great way to make sure that he doesn’t cause any trouble.
Tip #10
Book Accommodations That Are Pet-Friendly
Pet-friendly hotels allow you to stay with your dog. In fact, some even offer facilities where your dog can interact with other dogs. If you plan to go out alone, make sure to tell the receptionist not to enter your room because there’s a dog inside.
These are some safety tips for traveling with your dog that we hope will help you. If your dog is trained and has previously traveled, then the journey will pass easily without any chances of motion sickness.
Dances with Dogs offers dog training in Miami. They provide in-person and online dog training classes. To know more about their services or to schedule an appointment, call on 786-299-1552.