Guest Post: Roadtrips with your Four-legged friend
by Christy Caplan
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June 3, 2016 
Our travel typically includes the beach!
This week’s guest contributor is Amber Kingsley, a freelance writer who donates countless hours supporting her local shelter. She has spent most of her research and writing focused on animals; food, health and training related topics. In this piece, she talks about tips for pet parents traveling with their dogs – and created a very handy infographic.
With summer here (finally!) I know folks are starting to think about where to go on the weekends with their dogs. Amber’s tips below and in the link:
Introducing Your Dog To Road Trips-
When you think of canines and cars, you may imagine a dog with his head sticking out the passenger side window, his ears and tongue flapping in the wind. But to help avoid common car problems like motion sickness and other issues associated with travelling with your best friend, try some of these tips:
Start Young
If you have recently gotten yourself a puppy, start them out early in the car. Wait until they’re at least six weeks old and let them explore your auto while it’s parked to get them more comfortable with the concept and environment. Work your way up to short trips, even just around the block, and eventually you can take them to the veterinarian’s office, likely for their first set of puppy shots.
Similar Circumstances
The same is true with older dogs, let them explore the auto, work your way up to some short trips before you attempt some greater distances. For your first few joy rides, take them to a place they’ll enjoy, like the park or a beach. If the only place you ever take your pet to see is the vet, they probably won’t respond very well to taking a ride in your car in the future.
Safety First
Decide how you will confine your dog in the car, although crate training is probably your best choice, it isn’t your only option. Harnesses can be hooked to a seat belt for example and there’s also specially designed seats and restraints for keeping your canine safely inside a car. Check with your local authorities, since some states have laws in place that require a dog to be restrained while riding in a vehicle and they won’t allow them to ride in your lap.
For more helpful information and tips on travelling, check out this infographic, “Travel Tips For Road Trips With Your Dog.” You and your dog can safely enjoy the open road together!
Pin me:
Resources:
- http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Basics/Car-Safety.aspx
- http://www.akc.org/dog-owners/responsible-dog-ownership/travel-tips/
- http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Health/Motion-Sickness/Symptoms.aspx
- http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/travel-safety-tips
Penny absolutely loves to travel!
Awesome! You’re bringing to Penny to Blog Paws? Are you all going?
Our senior pup definitely doesn’t like car rides. But I like the point of starting young. We will have to do that when we get another dog.
Yea – I think if you start early enough it’s easier but I think it’s harder for dogs that haven’t had a lot of exposure and it may make some dogs nervous.
Mr. N enjoys car rides. We’re exploring a new restraint system for him as he whines terribly in his current carrier.
Oh you must let me know what you decide as far as harnesses — for smaller cars too it’s nice to have options.
We travel in the car with our dogs more often then not so lucky for us they are all well adjusted to car rides. I’m planning on taking Stetson to BlogPaws so hopefully he does well on a longer car ride.
That’s great and I got lucky after I took Shermie on a lot of car rides as he finally got over being car sick. The doxies have never had an issue but I take them on tons of errands!
I do not drive, use public transportation and Layla loves the adventures, if she could she would get on any bus or tram when they stop BOL
That’s awesome! I bet the people on the bus love having her company.
These are terrific tips to make your car trip happy for everyone. Our dogs ride in their SUV kennel and enjoy it.
Thanks! I thought the infographic looked pretty cool – especially for folks that haven’t made a lot of trips with their dogs. That’s awesome, I’ve seen your sweet munchkins in the back of your SUV kennel and they look comfy!
We have taken Ruby on several road trips – the longest last summer when we drove from Chicago to Cape Cod with a stop at Niagara Falls. She did very well. We used a seatbelt harness in the car because our car isn’t large enough to accommodate her crate.
I wish we could bring her with us to BlogPaws, but we are flying and think it would just be too much for her.
Awesome! I also decided not to bring one of our dogs to Blog Paws. Flying is not something I’ve done with our doxies and I’m not sure they’d love it. That’s a big road trip Chicago to Cape Cod. I bet that fun! What seatbelt harness did you use? I should look into those for our smaller car.
I love this infographic! Wonderful tips and suggestions to help a dog enjoy the car. One of my dogs doesn’t like to travel, so I’m going to try some of these to help her.
Thank so much! I think starting out with just small trips makes a difference so maybe that may help – my dog Shermie used to get really car sick 🙁
That is a great infographic. I traveled from Chicago to LA and back twice with my previous Doberman. She was a trooper. I tried to stop every three hours(ish) to let her walk around.
Thank you! I thought the creator had some really good tips for people on the road with their dogs. That’s a big trip for your sweet Dobbie!
Great post! My humans are taking me on a road trip to Arizona this summer and this is a very informative post I’m going to share with them! 🙂
Thank you! Are you heading to Blog Paws? Love to meet you.
My mom’s dog loves to travel with them.
It’s such FUN!
All 3 of my dogs are fabulous on road trips! I really wish I took them to more places but I’m hoping to take Wynston across the country to BlogPaws next year. (Last year we flew and this year it’s a 20 minute drive from our house !)
It’s nice to be able to take adventures with your dogs! I actually haven’t flown yet with my doxies and opted not to take them this year but I really want to do that… Cannot wait to meet Wynston in a few weeks.
My huskies lovvvve road trips!
They are the very best!!!