Take Practice Trips Ahead Of Time
If you know that your dog is particularly anxious during car rides, consider trying behavioral training techniques. Before leaving on a long road trip with your dog, take some short practice trips that end in positive experiences for them, Vachon says. Rides to the dog park or a favorite pet store, for example, will help form more positive associations with driving.
Tips For Safe Car Travel
Road Trips: A Guide For Travelling With A Dog In The Car
- Pet Advice for Dogs
- Road Trips: A Guide for Travelling with a Dog in the Car
With Summer in full swing, it often means we are also planning some road trips to see family and friends or to check out a new part of Aotearoa, especially with the current restrictions on international travel.
For those with puppies or who are new to long car rides with dogs, we have put together a guide to help plan and travel with a dog in the car long distance.
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Pros And Cons Of The Malsipree Dog Water Bottle
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This portable dog water bottle features a fabric wrist strap so youll literally always have it on hand. | The bottle can crack if its dropped on a hard surface like a sidewalk. |
| Its available in 12 and 19 ounce versions with a blue or pink attached bowl. | |
| The simple push-button design allows the user to release any amount of water into the bowl. Any water they dont consumer can be returned to the the bottle by pushing the water key. | |
| This bottle is made from food-grade material and the box indicates that its BPA-free. |
- Leakproof portable dog water bottle
- Silica gel ring locks in water
- Plastic top doubles as a drinking bowl
- Push button lock/release for water
- Available in 12oz or 19oz size
Best Practices When Traveling With Your Dog
- Plan bathroom breaks. Before you leave home, teach your dog to relieve himself on multiple surfaces not just grass! Having the ability to potty on different terrains, such as concrete, mulch, and gravel, will alleviate his discomfort as well as the possibility of accidents while youre on the road or otherwise. Bring a supply of bags to clean up afterward and a leash.
- Bring games and toys. To make sure your dog doesnt get bored, provide him with a few new toys and a couple of old favorites. You might want to include a puzzle-type toy to keep him occupied.
- Pack food and water. Check with your veterinarian about giving your dog only bottled water while away from home to ensure that he doesnt get an upset stomach. And instead of taking his usual bulky bowls, buy collapsible ones and let him get used to using them one week or so before you travel.
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Pack Ahead With A Plan
If youre thinking of taking your dog on a road trip, planning is key. Start by heading to the vet to make sure your pooch is healthy enough to tackle a big journey. You can also take this opportunity to make sure their vaccinations are up to date, stock up on medications, and check whether there are any special hazards you may need to worry about at your destination.
Youll also need to put some thought into what to pack for your pup. Some items are obvious, like a leash, water bowl, dog food, and toys, but there are other items that may be easy to forget. Remember bedding, medications, poop bags, ID tags, and anything else your pup may need to enjoy a comfortable and safe trip.
Best Human/pet Combo: Asobu Stainless Steel Insulated Travel Bottle With Attached Dog Bowl
We wanted to include at least one stainless steel option in the mix, but we were ecstatic when we came across the Asobu Stainless Steel Insulated Travel Bottle with Attached Dog Bowl that works for your dog and for you! The Asobu water bottle is ultra-cool, featuring a dog bowl that unscrews from the bottom with a grip to prevent slippage. The top unscrews to pour fresh, cold water into the dog bowl, or can be sipped from by the owner. This makes for a great option to keep yourself and your dog hydrated on long walks.
Other features include an easy-grip handle, a 33 ounce water capacity, and cute doggie design on the the twist-off bowl. The bottle comes in an assortment of colors: blue, pink, white, black, burgundy, smoke, and aqua-pink marble. And the best part: It keeps the water cold inside for up to 24 hours!
The primary user complaint is that the dog bowl is lined with plastic.
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How To Travel With Your Dog In The Car
If you carefully plan your next vacation, then bringing along your dog for your road adventure can be a lot of fun for the whole family. However, if youre a new dog owner then you may not know how to travel with your dog in the car, how to safely secure them, or how to keep them calm and happy during the entire trip. Before you head out for your annual trip in the family car, there are some important tips you should follow, to ensure you and your pet enjoy your latest outdoor adventure.
Tips To Make A Long Road Trip With Your Dog Easy
Today, Im sharing my best tips and packing list ideas to make a long road trip with your dog easy and comfortable for both of you.
My husband and I are planning on doing a bit of traveling with our dog this year. This is nothing new.
Our dog, Vincent, traveled everywhere we did for the first three years of his life. Hes pretty adaptable when it comes to road tripping.
To prepare for some summer adventures, Ive been taking him on some drives around town. He loves it and unlike some dogs who get nervous, or even sick, on car rides, Vincent loves them.
He prefers to sit in the passenger seat and look out the window until he gets bored and then hell move into the back seat and play with a toy that Ive packed for the trip or take a nap.
When it comes to passing time in the car, he knows how to handle himself but if traveling with your dog is new to you, youll want to follow a few of my tips.
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Your Dogs Safety Comes First:
Before the journey, you need toensure you put in safety measures. First, turn off your car power windows.There have been cases of dogs winding the windows up and choking themselves oreven putting them down and jumping off. These two scenarios arent pleasant.
Secondly, humans need seat beltsto secure themselves your dog would need something equal. There are severaloptions to choose from crash-tested crates, hammocks, harnesses, safety seats,etc. You have to consider your car type, the size, breed, nature of your dogbefore choosing the best option for you.
Harnesses are suitable for calm,well-behaved dogs. Hammocks are cool for older dogs that like to lie down, andplush carry boxes for small pups. However, we would recommend crash-testedcrates. Crates are the safest way for your dog to ride in a car. A suitablecrate has these properties:
Big enough for your dog to stand and move around.
Well ventilated
Blankets and Towels.
Our Criteria And Experience: How We Chose The Best
While theres a vast amount of products available to keep your dog hydrated, we sought the ones that would meet multiple needs whether you are taking long hikes with your dog, traveling in the car, using the bottle in a crate, or wanting a water bottle you can share with your dog. We narrowed our search down to seven choices that hit on those varied needs, but also met our standards for durability, safety, washability, and ease of use.
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Master Your Dog’s Motion Sickness
Two-legged passengers arent the only ones that can suffer from motion sickness. In fact, motion sickness is a surprisingly common problem for pups, so its something youll need to take into account when traveling with a dog.
As well as feeding your pooch a few hours before you start traveling, its also worth consulting your vet to find out about motion sickness remedies. They can even prescribe medication to help your pup get from A to B without experiencing any discomfort.
Know Your Dogs Speed Limits
Every pup is different. Some jump with excitement the second they hear car ride, while others can be downright terrified by the experience.
Many dogs that are fearful or anxious about riding in a vehicle will insist on curling up in your lap their safe space.
If this sounds like your dog, check out our tips for training your dog to tolerate car rides, or talk to a vet or behaviorist for more help.
They can prescribe situational medications to help with temporary anxiety and training methods to help you desensitize your doggo to life on the road.
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Get A Dog Harness Seat Belt
Pâerfect for wellâ-âbehaved dogs, the harness secures your dog in one position with a strap that plugs into the seat belt. Pro tip: Keep an eye on your dog to make sureâ they don’t chew through the harness mid-journey.
Good for: Small and large dogs
How to secure your dog:
-
Slide the car seat belt through the dog seat-belt loop and buckle your dog in.
-
âPlace your dog on the car seat and connect the silver clasp to your dog’s harness.â
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Adjust your dog’s seatâ âbelt so it’s secure and comfy.
All the essentials you need to hit the road with your copilot, from dog seatbelts to crash-tested carriers.
Additional Expert Safety Tips For Dogs In Cars
When it comes to restraining your dog, tightening seat belts is important to ensure theyre restrained against the back of the seat. The most common mistake is leaving the seat belts loose to make the pet more comfortable, said Nelson. Unfortunately, the extra room lets them fly during a crash.
Where your dog is located in the car can also pose several risks. According to the American Kennel Club, you should never let your dog ride in the back of an open truck since it can lead to severe injuries or even death. You should also never let your dog ride with their head sticking out of an open window since that can lead to serious eye injuries due to road debris. And be sure to bring medical records, medications and identification, including pictures of you with your pets, said Wolko.
Additionally, never leave your pet alone in a car, at any time, for any reason. Especially in the summer, heat stroke can be deadly and can happen in minutes, said Wolko. This scenario results in many pet deaths every year, Douglas Kratt, DVM, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, told us in our guide to keeping dogs cool. He said you should leave your dog at home while running errands in the summer temperatures inside cars can quickly rise to life-threatening levels, even if you crack the windows open or park in the shade.
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What Are The Advantage Of Traveling With Dogs In Car Long Distance
When you travel long distances with dogs, your pet is happy and safe. When you travel by a dog in a car long distance, it will give you an amazing experience for your pet. You can also see the different places around your city.
If your pet is with you during the trip, he will not feel lonely, and you, too, will be free from worries. Youll find a mate along the way.
If the pet is left alone at home, it can get sick. For this reason, even if it is a little problem, you should travel with your pet. Pets will give you a new travel experience.
Include Frequent Breaks For Long Car Journeys
If youre going to be travelling with your dog over long distances, make a habit of stopping every couple of hours. Youll probably both appreciate a toilet break, a drink of water and the chance to stretch your legs just always ensure that your puppy is wearing their collar and ID in case they escape.
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Disadvantages Of Traveling With Dogs In Car Long Distance
1. Expensive
In this world, if something is costly, then it must have some quality and vice versa. So it is known that expensive things are always better than cheap things. However, there is nothing more expensive than traveling with your pet with you.
2. Dangerous
For a pet, it is very dangerous to travel in a car. He has never been on such a long journey before. So its better to take him on the local trips first than take him on long journeys.
3. Healthy
Dogs are loyal creatures they always look after their family members and also guard them from attackers.
They are good in many ways, but only a few dogs do not attack anyone intentionally. But they attack when they feel threatened by their life and family members.
Dont Wait Until Its An Emergency
If you need to take your dog on a long car trip, or go to the vet, dog groomer or kennel, start positive: give him rewards and train him as early as you can. Puppies should ideally learn to make a positive association with riding in cars before they leave for their forever homes and are separated from their mothers.
An emergency is stressful enough that you dont want to take on more than you have to. Car travel preparations can save you a lot of stress and time. Its better to leave your dog at home, get a dog sitter, or take him to the kennel than jump right into more than your dogs ready for. Bad associations are harder to deal with than just inexperience.
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How To Secure Your Dog In The Car
Whether youre planning a dream vacation or just an afternoon of errands, a few moments spent securing your canine can be a lifesaver in the event of an accident. Securing your dog in the car will depend on several factors, including your dogs size and the layout of your vehicle. Here are some options for you to consider:
Hide His Eyes Or Distract The Nose
Some dogs simply prefer not to see where they’re going. In such cases, it’s best to get a dog crate and then put a well-fitted dog crate cover over your pet’s mobile home to keep him calm and relaxed. Dogs actually don’t mind this at all and feel very peaceful.
There are also special calming caps or fly masks to limit your dog’s vision when traveling in a car. There are things called Dog Appeasing Pheromone collars . These collars contain special pheromones that calm your dog and provide him comfort. Adaptil is one of the most popular DAP collars out there, but search for your own best solution.
Alternatively, you can also try essential oils like lavender or peppermint. Read more on how to use essential oils with dogs and why you should give this natural solution a try.
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Tips About How To Travel With A Dog In A Car
For many dogs, car rides are the greatest events of their lives, and they’d be thrilled to live on the road full-time. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for all dogs. In fact, some pups can experience extreme anxiety from the ride. Other dogs enjoy riding, especially if you’re headed for the dog park, but they suffer from car sickness. What’s even worse is when you begin to feel anxiousnow both of you are jittery. Knowing how to travel with a dog in a car can help, but it takes time.
So, what do you do if it’s time to take your dog for a ride and they’re not up for the trip? Here are four tips about how to travel with a dog in a car and make your next road trip with your dog less stressful.
