Traveling With Your Dog

   Posted: April 14, 2009 | Comments: 0 | Views: 185 | Rating: Not Rated

If you love to travel with your dog, you know that it can be a lot of work. Dogs make great companions when you hit the road, but travel can be hard on dogs if you don’t take the proper precautions. Make your trip pleasant for you and your furry friend by following these tips.

Before you take your first trip with your dog, you need to make some important preparations. First, you should check about pet policies at your destination. If you will be staying in a hotel, you need to be sure that you are allowed to bring your pet inside. Some hotels charge extra for rooms that allow pets, so be sure to ask if bringing your dog will change your room rate.

Get your dog prepared for travel by taking away the food dish at least three hours before you leave. If your dog eats right before you leave, you could have a carsick companion by the end of your trip. Make sure you take your dog for a good, long walk before you begin your travels. Exercise is really important for dogs, so don’t skip it during your trip.

Make sure you stop frequently and let your dog take short walks and bathroom breaks. Bring along a dish and some bottled water, so your dog can have a drink with each stop. You should also keep a close check on your dog’s temperature while traveling. Sitting in a warm car can cause a dog to quickly become overheated. If your dog is sitting directly in the sun, roll the window down to offer some fresh air during the trip. Dogs love sticking their heads of the car windows when traveling.

Small dogs should always travel in a carrier for the sake of safety. If your dog will be riding in a carrier, make sure you let him out frequently along the way. Be careful to keep your dog on a leash when you get out of the car, and make sure he is wearing a collar with ID tags in case he runs off or gets lost.

If you will be traveling at night, wear reflective clothing so you will be ready to make stops for the sake of the dog. Don’t sacrifice your safety for the dog’s bathroom breaks. Dress so you will be highly visible to ongoing traffic when you have to stop on the side of the road.

Never leave your dog in the car alone, because overheating can happen quickly and lead to tragic results. Make sure that your dog has a comfortable place to ride with a soft blanket to lay down on. Let your dog sleep as much as possible during the car ride. Sleeping is the best way to prevent motion sickness.

If your dog does get sick on the road, don’t panic. Just call the vet’s office and explain the situation. If your dog is facing an emergency type of situation, your vet should have the name of another vet close to where you are.

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