Taking your Dog for a Trip

You have decided that the time has come to take a break from everyday life. You make plans, pack up the car and with a full tank of gas you are ready to hit the road. Why go without Rover? We have put together a few helpful tips to ensure that he too has a fun and safe trip.

1)ﾠﾠ One of the easiest ways to protect the family pet while traveling is with the proper restraint or pet carrier. Often pet owners find this to be cruel, especially when your four legged friend looks at you with those "puppy" eyes. Rest assured, it is in fact a great way to ensure that your pet will stay safe from one part of the map to the next. If your dog is familiar with a dog crate or dog carrier and you haven't loaded the car too full, this is the safest way for your dog to travel. Remember to keep the plastic dog crate or travel pet carrier out of direct sunlight to prevent your pooch from roasting. Pet safety harnesses have also become more and more common with those that choose to travel. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles and can be found at most local pet stores. They are the perfect doggie seatbelt! The best place to attach your harness is to one of the back seats or the rear cargo area of an SUV.

2)ﾠﾠ Wherever you choose to leave Fido for the trip, make sure that the space is designated just for him or her. Do not let children or other passengers disturb or pester your pooch. With some breeds, this results in abnormal and sometimes bad behavior once the vehicle comes to a halt.

3)ﾠﾠ Plan ahead when you have a pet. Feed your pet a minimum of 4 hours before starting the trip if not longer. This will prevent your pup from starting the trip with a full stomach and who knows how bumpy those roads could be! Also be sure to take your pet for a long walk or a game of fetch before the trip. This will prevent him from being quite so anxious during the ride. He may even take a little snooze.

4)ﾠﾠ Be sure to play it safe and stop frequently. On long trips it is best to stop every few hours. This will allow you and your pooch to stretch, walk around, and use the restroom. It is also a great time to give your pal a little fresh drinking water.

5)ﾠﾠ Always remember to keep your dog on a dog leash while traveling. When you are in a new environment, you pal is enormously tempted to sniff and explore every square inch of ground. Don't forget to put the leash on and hold on tight before you open that door to let your canine out. This will keep you from going for a ride of your own!

6)ﾠﾠ It is extremely important to keep a close eye on the weather. One simple rule to follow is to never leave your dog alone in a vehicle on a hot day. Even with a window cracked, the inside of any vehicle can become extremely hot extremely quickly. Heatstroke, suffocation or even death can result from lack of air circulation and high temperatures on the inside of a vehicle. If you have no other choice than to leave your dog alone in a vehicle, park in a shaded area to help keep it cool. If at all possible, family members should take turns checking on your pet. Also remember to open windows far enough to provide adequate ventilation or turn on the air conditioning if possible. Whether it is freezing or hot enough to melt, never leave your pooch in a vehicle for extended periods of time.

7)ﾠﾠ As you are cruising down the roads towards your destination, be sure that your dog is getting enough fresh air. Your windows need to be open far enough to allow for enough air, but not wide enough that your pet could stick his head out or even fall out of the vehicle. No matter how much Fido loves his ears flopping in the wind, he could be hit by debris from the road.

8)ﾠﾠ Once you have reached your destination or have decided to stop for the day, feed your pooch. The closer you stick to your dog's regular schedule, the better off you will be. Your pet will be more relaxed and comfortable and may prevent odd or bad behavior.