The holidays are fast approaching, and you may have already added family and friends visits on your calendar. Traveling with your furry best friend over the river and through the forest can sometimes be difficult to discover fun destinations. Here are a few of our favorite tips to keep your road trips safe and happy for everyone.
- Remember the essentials Pack a bag specifically for your pet when packing for the road trip adventure. This way you are able to see the contents quickly and have only one place to check for the leash when you find your first stop. Our suggestions for packing the essentials include more than a leash. Be sure to bring along your dog’s food, as you can cause stomach problems if you have to switch to more food if the store doesn’t have what your dog is used to.
- Pack your favorite puppy toys Everyone can benefit from having a few comforts of home while on the road and your dog is no different. When you pack your essentials for your dog, remember to include a few favorite toys into the bag too. Resist the temptation to pack too much for your pooch. One or two favorite toys are enough to keep him busy during your long weekend.
- Don’t forget the cage The crate might be one of the most important tools you can use when the dog is driving. Keeping your dog in the car while in the crate is recommended for the safety and for yours. Not only is your cage-trained dog happy in the crate, but the crate also keeps your dog from jumping and exploring while you are focused on the wheel.
- Exercise, exercise, exercise Humans don’t like to sit in the car for extended periods of time and neither do our dogs. Prepare for your trip by taking your dog for a long walk before jumping in the car. A nice walk is beneficial for the owner and the dog and sets everybody up for a successful trip. It removes all nervous energy that can cause anxious or destructive behaviors and puts everybody on the right foot. Once you are on the road, stop at rest stops to give your dog a break and walk before heading back onto the road again.
- Maintain expectations After arriving at your destination, your dog can turn toward undesirable behavior due to stress, new faces or over stimulus. Be aware of how you are and resist the urge to hold your pup. Conserve your expectations of good dog behaviour instead and praise your dog when he meets them. He will soon realize that a new location does not mean that he can act differently than when he is at home.
Traveling with your dog is a great way for him to see new things and it further encourages the bond between the two of you. Travelling with our tips into your adventures will ensure that there are plenty of road trips in your future. Happy Tails to You!
