Our pets are considered family for many of us, so it makes sense that you might want to bring them along on your next vacation. With all the hassle that flying brings, road tripping is an excellent choice. However, understandably, you may have some doubts. Hitting the road with your furry friend can be challenging, and you want to be as prepared as possible.
In this article, we are going to discuss some tips to follow when road-tripping with your dog.Before you move on, you need to make sure you have trained your dog well to listen to your commands, as Georgia Pine K9 LLC suggests puppy training, at a young age.
In addition, Spectrum Canine Dog Training talks about home vs board training, discussing the different approaches that can be taken to ensure your dog receives the best training experience possible.
Let’s get started!
Follow a strict packing checklist.
There’s nothing worse than heading out on your journey and realizing that you’ve forgotten something. To make your entire road trip more manageable, have a packing checklist ready and cross everything off before your leave. It really will make a big difference.
Alongside your own supplies, you’ll also want to make sure that you pack all of the essentials for your pup, including plenty of nutritious food. Anal glands in dogs can become blocked if they eat poor-quality kibble, so it’s best to choose something with plenty of fiber and limited ingredients. If you wish to buy them something fun, you can also check out lick mats for dogs here!
Create a safe setup in your vehicle.
As much as we may love our pets, they can lead to distracted driving. In order to make sure that your eyes stay on the road, you want to have a safe and comfortable setup for them to relax in. You can achieve this by:
– Placing down plenty of blankets and a towel. (Just in case of any accidents).
– Ensuring that they are secure with a doggy seat belt that attaches to a harness or placing them in a crate.
– Creating a barrier so that they are unable to jump into the front seat.
– Providing sturdy toys and a source of freshwater. (You can get no-spill bowls).
Plan your trip in advance with apps.
Planning is key for any road trip, but with a dog, it’s even more essential. Not only will you need to know where you can stop for bathroom breaks, but you also need to find hotels pet-friendly accommodations. Another thing you’ll need to keep in mind is if there are any boarding facilities that will look after them if you plan to visit an attraction etc.
Luckily, there are plenty of great apps that can help you organize your journey. For example, BringFido provides you with a quick list of all dog-friendly places, including restaurants and hotels, and VetFinder will help you locate the nearest clinic just in case of an emergency.
Keep copies of essential documents.
When you’re on the road, you never know what can happen, and if you do need to board your dog for a day, you’ll have to have vaccination records. Keep a copy of all of your essential documents in your car, even if you think you won’t need them. Trust us when we say it’s always better to be prepared.
Train your dog basic commands in advance.
If you plan on going on any type of overnight trip with your pup, they need to know the basic commands. This includes being able to sit, stay, and come. The last thing you want is for them to escape from their leash and not return to you. If your pup doesn’t know the said command, however, you can get it trained by professionals. In fact, you can visit this page to hire them.
Obviously, the best time to do this is when they are young. However, you can still teach an old dog new tricks. It just requires a bit of patience. You can find some tips to get started here.
Get a collapsible crate for the nighttime
Even if your dog is used to traveling, it’s important that they have their own space after a long and busy day. Collapsible crates are a great choice, as they won’t take up much room in your car and can be placed just about anywhere. Remember to bring some items from home such as their favourite toy, blanket, or bed so that they feel more comfortable. They’ll be able to rest easy and will be full of energy for the next day.
Remember to be patient.
Finally, the last tip to follow when going on a road trip with your dog is to remember to be patient. With all the toilet stops along the way, you might need to need to factor in an extra hour to get to your desired destination. There are times when it won’t be easy, but bringing them along can make for a beautiful and memorable journey. It really is worth it.
