Dog Travel Tips

From Great Pet Owners

This article offers some dog travel tips that you may find helpful. Traveling with your dog does not have to be an arduous event, but there are some things that you may need to plan ahead for and take into consideration. You need to ensure that your pet still gets enough exercise to keep him calm and he will need reassurance on what is happening. Remember that your pet does not know what is going on—he is only following you because he loves you and trusts you.

Another dog travel tip is to ensure that your dog is adequately exercised as this may be a very important part of his travel experience. If you and your dog are traveling by car, there are a few things you need to consider. Not only will your dog need to be 'relieved' at regular intervals since he is being cooped up in the car for long periods of time. He will most assuredly become restless from being in a small space and from being unable to control any pent-up energy he has. He may also tend to dehydrate more quickly in a warm enclosed space like the car, so he will likely drink more water when you stop, which will then lead to him having to go to the bathroom more often than normal.

Before you plan a car vacation with your dog, make sure you do the proper planning beforehand. Review these dog travel tips to make you and your dog’s trip easier:

• Plan your route to include stops for your dog. And, plan more stops than you think you may need. Your dog will probably become restless in the car. Remember that a tired, well-exercised dog will be better behaved in the car; he will probably sleep.

• Your dog will also need to go to the bathroom. Plan stops for that where it may be appropriate.

• Try to feed your dog a little less than normal when traveling, as the car motion may upset his stomach. Allowing your dog to exercise along the way will help his digestion.

• Research picnic areas along your route that have areas where you can walk or run your dog. You can obtain maps and information from your local Humane Society or from your auto club membership place. You may also locate swimming spots along you route that may be pet friendly. Swimming is a great way to relieve your pet’s pent-up energy.

• Research hotels and camp grounds that accept dogs – and ensure that they have pet friendly areas so you can exercise your dog. Make lodging plans in advance to ensure that your pet has a place to stay. Confirm their pet policies before you book, and ask whether they have a dog exercise area.

• Take along a ball or Frisbee to throw for your dog if there are no expansive areas where you can both walk. Be sure to do this, though, in a controlled area—you do not want your dog to bolt away in an unfamiliar environment. (Always ensure that your dog has proper identification).

• Be sure to take extra water and travel dishes for your dog.

• When walking your dog in unfamiliar territory, always keep him on a leash. When he is let out of the car, he may be excited and rush off into traffic or bolt off after some exciting object (like a squirrel).

• Never let your dog travel in a car with the window down, or let him hang his head out of the window into the wind. Not only can he get debris or harmful objects in his eyes or ears, he could possibly jump out of the car window. • Although it may seem very restrictive, consider using a cage or pet carrier.

Here are some dog travel tips when traveling in an airplane:

• Always keep your dog on a leash or pet carrier in the airport area.

• Find out if the airport has an exercise area for dogs. Call ahead and find out where it is located so that you can take your dog for ‘one last run’ before he boards the plane.