Traveling with your dog
can be fun!
Are you planning on traveling with your dog? Taking your canine companion on vacation with you? Moving house, or just like to take the occasional road trip? Having little Fido along for the ride can be great, but it does need a little forward planning. To make that just a little easier, we've put together a few tips and bits of advice that will help make your next trip a fun and memorable one! Here's the lowdown on all the most important things you'll need to know (and do) before you and Fido set foot, or paw, on the road!
Have dog, will travel
Traveling with your dog can be wonderful.... but it can also be stressful and/or disappointing. There are lots of different factors that determine how your trip turns out but the following points are the most important -- Your dog's personality
- Your organizational skills and level of preparationHow flexible you can be
- Your sense of humor!
The idea of heading down the highway at a moments notice, while Fido sits happily in the passenger seat, is appealing but not very realistic. If you have children you're ahead of the game, because taking a road trip with little Fido involves pretty much the same process as traveling with little Susie. And if you don't have kids yet, let me give you a clue - preparation, preparation and more preparation!!
Be prepared
Although there are many different modes of transport today, we're going to start with the humble road trip. That's because it's the easiest and most popular way of traveling with your dog.You're in control of your vehicle, schedule, route, stops etc. and can tailor the journey to meet the unexpected eg. motion sickness, potty breaks or even that tempting bakery you just spotted!
Practice
If you have a new puppy it's important to make sure he's familiar with the car and has been on several short trips before you embark on that marathon drive to Tuscon. A few practice runs will give you the heads-up on any potential problems and give you the chance to adjust your plans accordingly.
Lodging
If staying at a hotel is in your plans, be sure to pick dog-friendly accommodation and remember to double-check their requirements and regulations by calling ahead. Some hotels have weight limits on the dogs they allow to stay in their rooms, pet deposits, higher room rates etc., and it helps to know what's expected ahead of time. Spending the night in your car with Fido on your lap is no way to start a relaxing vacation!
Supplies
When traveling with your dog, there are certain things you can take along that will make the whole trip that much easier for both of you. - Food
To help avoid any tummy upsets when traveling with your dog (his not yours!) be sure to take enough of Fido's regular puppy food along on the trip. He may or may not have a tendency towards car sickness but sticking to his usual diet will help either way.
- Water
A large bottle of water is another necessity, your little furball will get thirsty especially if it's hot outside.
- Bowls/s
Take along Fidos' bowls (or a special travel bowl), so that you can give him a drink 'en route', and feed him once you get there!
- Motion sickness/anxiety medication
If your pup consistently gets very agitated when traveling, and his stress response makes him car sick or hysterical, look at our
Natural Health Products for Dogs
page for a natural product to give him (and take with you), to combat the car sickness or reduce his anxiety level safely.
- Favorite possessions
Taking a few of your his favorite toys, and a familiar blanket or dog bed, when your traveling with your dog, will help to make him feel at home once you reach your destination.
- Collar & leash
Don't forget to take Fido's leash with you, in fact it's a good idea to take two, just in case the first one disappears somewhere along the way! Make sure he's wearing his collar and Dog ID Tags and a spare set of these is also a good idea. It's all too easy for a dog to run off and get lost in unfamiliar territory, so NEVER let your precious baby out of the car in strange surroundings without being leashed
Restraints
It's just not safe to let Fido travel unrestrained in your car. Depending on his size and personality there are several different options available.
Smaller dogs can use dog-carriers (pretty much padded, lined open-topped boxes) that are especially designed to be used with car seatbelts. For medium and large breeds a proper dog seat-belt is the safest option. When you're traveling with your dog, it helps if your little furball is used to a crate. If he is happy in his crate and you have room for one alongside all that luggage they're a very safe way for him to travel. Crates have the added benefit of giving little Fido a safe and familiar place to sleep when you reach your destination, very useful if you're staying in a hotel.
See a great selection of dog travel accessories including dog travel crates and carriers, harness and seat restraints, car seat covers and protectors, ramps, dog stairs, pet barriers to keep Fido safe... even doggie sunglasses/goggles for the pooch who absolutely MUST stick his head out of the window! Investigation
When traveling with your dog, plan ahead and find out as much as you can about the area you'll be staying in. Look for dog-friendly attractions, restaurants, parks, beaches etc. Your hotel will most likely have lots of information and don't be afraid to ask other people you see out and about with their dogs - locals will know the best spots and other vacationers may have already had a chance to get 'the lie of the land'.
Finding a good place to stay that actually welcomes you and your dog can be difficult, so we've found a resource that you're going to love!
The
Dog Friendly Directory
is one of the best travel resources available for dog owners who want to take their best friend on vacation with them. With just the click of a mouse you can choose from hundreds of first rate dog friendly hotels, chalets, condos, B &: B's, cabins, resorts and more (both in the US and overseas!). Check out the color photos, descriptions, amenities, and rates for any property that catches your eye. Traveling with your dog doesn't have to mean your accommodation choices are limited! You could choose to find your next vacation spot the hard way, but why would you when the easy way is right here at your fingertips. Here's to a wonderful vacation!
Better safe than sorry
A road trip with Fido can be tons of fun but to make sure it doesn't end in tears there are a few safety rules to follow. Health
Be sure that your furbaby is up to date on all his shots before you leave on your trip. When you're traveling with your dog he'll be coming into contact with all kinds of new places, dogs and people and you want to be sure he's properly protected from all canine illnesses. Try to avoid busy rest-stops along the highway as many, many dogs use these - and you can't be sure their owners are as conscientious as you are about vaccinations. Get off the highway and find a quieter spot for Fido to relieve himself whenever possible.
Identification
If you're going to be traveling with your dog and Fido doesn't already wear an identification tag (why not?) this is the time to get him one. Make sure it's firmly attached to his collar and has his name and your contact information - including your cell phone number - in clear view. His rabies tag should also be on his collar. An option that is far superior to just a regular dog ID tag is the Pet Protector System. This special tag that attaches easily to your pup's collar has been called the '9-1-1 for Pets'. Reviewed and highly recommended by several top magazines including Dogs USA, Pets Welcome and Petlife Magazine, as well as the SPCA, this handy little tag can help you be re-united with your beloved pet quickly and efficiently. When you're traveling with your dog, it's easy for your puppy to get confused or disoriented and wander off. If this should happen, as long as he's wearing his Pet Protector Tag, help is just one phone call away. Whoever finds him can call the 24 Hour Nationwide Hotline and the reliable, friendly staff will track you down quickly and efficiently. And that's not all...there's a system in place to help little Fido even if (God forbid) he's been hurt or injured and you can't be reached immediately. To find out more about this invaluable, and very affordable, service click on the banner below. No-one thinks their precious furball will get lost, but it can happen in an instant. Protect your 'baby' now!
A micro-chip or tattoo is highly recommended when you're traveling with your dog. Collars can come off and ID tags can get lost whereas micro-chips and tattoos are permanent.
Heatstroke
Many dogs die of heatstroke every year and in the majority it's due to owners leaving their pets in a car "for just a few minutes". NEVER, EVER leave your puppy or dog in a car during warm weather (even in cool weather it's not advisable).
The temperature inside your car will rise dramatically, a study done by Stanford University determined that even on relatively cool days the temperature inside a car can rise to 116F within an hour. Short nosed breeds such as Pugs and Bulldogs are especially at risk. Heatstroke is very dangerous and often fatal. Don't ever take the chance with your puppy's life.Take a look at this
important information
to find out more about the dangers of overheating and how to keep little Fido cool and comfortable. If traveling with your dog involves a destination where there's lots of lovely sunshine, you need to know that dogs can also suffer from sunburn. Surprising isn't it? White dogs and those with thin coats are especially at risk so be sure to keep Fido in the shade as much as possible.
Beyond the open road
If you're planning on traveling with your dog but don't want to stay in a hotel there are other options. Many camp-grounds and RV parks across the USA and Canada are dog friendly, so are some National Parks and well-known resort areas. You can also find special Dog Camps in various parts of the country where you and little Fido can enjoy a truly unforgettable experience among other like-minded dog lovers.
If you want to be a little more adventurous or travel further afield, it's perfectly possible to have little Fido go with you on your next airplane trip.There are even some cruise lines that offer dog-friendly cruises, so why not do a little research, pack the suitcases and go have some fun!
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