Tips for Taking a Road Trip with Your Dog

Tips for Taking a Road Trip with your dog10 Tips for Taking a Road Trip with your Dog

Nothing is more fun than having a road trip with your dog. However, as fun, as it can be, it can also be challenging. Dogs can get restless, nervous, and behave in ways that are not safe such as hanging out of the car window or jumping into your lap when you’re cruising at highway speeds. It is therefore important to ensure that both you and your pup stay happy and safe all through the road trip. Give yourself plenty of time for that road trip. Besides that, put in mind the following tips. Do not hit the road without them.

  1. Plan Everything

Planning is everything when your four-legged friend joins you on a road trip. Ensure that you include a lot of breaks so that your dog gets to stretch its legs, go potty, drink water, and satisfy its needs. Ensure that the stops last long enough for the dog to entertain itself.

If you can fir a dog park or two into the trip, go ahead and do it. Your beloved dog will love the opportunity to explore with the leash off and the chance to make new friends.

  1. Go Pet Friendly

Finding a pet-friendly place should be on your plans if your road trip with your dog includes spending the night at hotels. However, you do not have to limit yourself to just that. Be sure to include pet-friendly restaurants as well when looking up pet-friendly hotels. Failure to leads to your dog waiting back at the hotel.

If you want to go the extra mile, ensure that you research pet-friendly roadside attractions. This will make the trip so much more memorable. Not only that, but it will also ensure that you can visit the attraction in question. After all, it is not worth leaving your dog locked in the car. You can look for such attractions on websites.

  1. Be Thorough with The Packing

Ensuring that you have packed all the essentials is important when it comes to traveling with your dog. The following are some of the things that are a must-have in your road trip:

  • Water bowl. Travel water bowls and dog water bottles make things easier. However, ensure that your dog drinks comfortably from them before beginning the trip. In case your dog doesn’t want to drink from a travel bowl, pack its usual one, as much as it is cumbersome.
  • Dog food. Pack enough dog food to ensure that it doesn’t run out during the trip. Regardless of the fun, the change of routine and scenery will be stressful for the dog. You do not want to add to that stress by changing the dog’s food.
  • Updated tags. Plan for the worst when it comes to traveling with your dog. Ensure that your dog’s tags are updated and do not go for cheap stuff.
  • Crate/kennel. Ensure that you carry a dog crate or kennel if you intend on sleeping in hotels. Some hotels will allow your dog to roam freely in the room but some won’t. It is better to be prepared with a kennel and not use it than need it and not have it at hand.
  • Medication. Ensure that you pack medications for your dog in case it has a medical condition. Also, consider doing so if your dog often gets sick of something if stressed.
  • Medical record. Ask your vet for a copy of the medical records of your dog at hand. This includes their recent vaccinations. This will help your dog get better medical attention if necessary. It will also ensure that your dog is allowed in any pet-friendly attraction or pack that you may find along the way.
  • Other essentials. Dog collars, leash, grooming supplies, favorite toys, dog blankets, and dog poop bags.

Be sure to keep these things as organized as possible throughout the trip for convenience and sanity. You can purchase a dog travel kit that is made to ensure easy road trips.

  1. Ensure comfort

A road trip may be stressful for a dog because they are long. Ensure that your furry friend is comfortable enough whether traveling on the car seat or in a carrier so that it stays there hours on end. To provide a comfortable place to lay on, provide the dog’s favorite blanket as it will contribute greatly to the dog having maximum comfort. Your choice of music is also vital. As much as blasting music may keep you awake and aware through the trip, you may find that it harms your dog.

Besides, giving the dog its favorite toy can keep it relaxed. However, avoid balls or any other toy that can roll under the seats and get stuck under your pedals. As much as comfort is important, safety comes first.

  1. Safety

Safety comes in various forms and shapes when it comes to road trips with dogs. Here are some things remember as they enhance pet safety:

  • Consider buying safety car accessories for your dog like doggy seat belts
  • Do not allow your dog to roam freely while I the car. Establish a designated area where you will keep the dog. If your dog is used to roaming freely, conduct some trial runs to show them the new rules. Do not attempt to keep the dog in a single area if it is not used to it.
  • Always leash the dog before allowing it out of the car. Rest stops are a great place to allow your dog to stretch but they are also dangerous, as the dog may run into the highway or get run by a traveler.
  • Pack updated photographs of your dog as well as its medical records. It is also important that you consider getting your dog microchipped.

  1. Prepare your dog

If your dog is not used to long road trips, ensure that you slowly work your way up to that by allowing your dog time to get used to being in a car that is moving.  Reduce the risk of car sickness by feeding the dog a couple of hours before the beginning of the trip.  Also, ensure that you take them on a long walk to their favorite areas before getting in the car.

Train your dog beforehand if you intend to stay in a hotel that needs your dog to be crate trained. Do not expect your dog to be suddenly okay with it. If you do so, your dog will have sleepless nights and in turn very angry neighbors.

  1. Bring a First Aid Kit Along on the Trip

Be sure to have this important addition before you start your road trip. If you can’t find a specific kit in the store, make your own by including sterile pads, muzzle, gauze, tweezers, styptic powder, and pet first-aid book. If your pooch tends to eat all it finds, be sure to carry meds for an upset stomach.

  1. Find a Vet in your Destination

Consult your vet beforehand and enlist their help for the trip. Ensure that you keep a list of phones and addresses of different vets at hand. If you are camping or going off the grid, look for popular destinations for dogs, as the park rangers are more likely to have the equipment to help your dog in case of an emergency.

Besides that, your vet may give you insightful tips on how to make the road trip more enjoyable.

  1. Prepare for Several kinds of weather

This is particularly important for a dog that is sensitive to weather changes. Be sure to pack some clothes if you are traveling with a breed that is cold sensitive such as greyhounds or Chihuahuas in case it gets cold or rainy. Also, consider packing a towel or two. Avoid situations where your dog may overheat if you are traveling with a dog breed that is sensitive to heat. Use the A/C inside your car often and let your dog rest in the shade whenever you are at a rest stop. Be sure to give it fresh water.

  1. Going Off-Grid

Do not treat your road drip like any other destination if it includes going camping. Camping includes its own set of considerations that you should keep in mind. Here are things that you should keep in mind.

  • Ensure that your dog’s vaccines are up to date. Ask your vet if he recommends any extra shots before the trip
  • Administer dog flea and tick medication before the trip
  • Ensure that the area you intend to camp is dog friendly so that both you and the dog are comfortable
  • Let your vet know where you are camping in case there are any risks in that particular area. Vets are sometimes aware of disease outbreaks that only affect animals.
  • Thoroughly research the camping grounds. Focus on animals mostly found in the area that may threaten your dogs such as snakes and bears.
  • Be sure to research common flora that your dog may eat
  • Supervise your dog always as it may encounter situations that are dangerous or may get lost.
  • Check your dog for ticks, thorns, and scratches every few hours.

Final Woof

With all that said, it is very important to have patience. Dogs are used to routine and thrive well in a safe environment. Regardless of how fun it will be, a road trip will turn their world upside down. So, you need to be patient and supportive with your dog. The dog may become nervous, clingy, cranky, or too excitable. It may also get car sick; complicating travel plans in some entirely unexpected, and even alter things completely. Planning will make the whole difference. Going on a road trip with your pup is worth and while on it you will make memorable moments.

What is the Best Dog Breeds to Bring for a Road Trip?

  1. Japanese Chin

This dog is lively and receptive to indoor living with adequate outdoor exercise. It is both a lap and a companion dog. Besides is easy to train and vigilant without being aggressive. It is always road-ready.

  1. Bassett Hound

Self-assured and ready for adventure, this dog will help you get your kicks on whatever road you travel.

  1. French Bulldog

This dog is affectionate, merry, and likes attention. It loves being part of everything, including road trips.

  1. Newfoundland

This dog breed is adaptable to new environments and situations. It is characterized by patience and calmness to change. If you happen to be traveling near a body of water, just be warned because he is always ready to take a pool, lake, or ocean.

  1. Labrador Retriever

This is generally the most popular breed. The dog is even-tempered, obedient, devoted, and eager to please. Note, Labs gets bored easily, so frequent rest stops are mandatory. It also likes to socialize.

  1. Standard Poodle

This dog loves to run, explore, and be a part of things. It is ever watchful but not vicious. It is the perfect travel companion as it does not shed.

  1. Clumber Spaniel

Conscientious and thorough, this dog breed is easy going and stoic. It will sleep through or maybe gaze longingly as you listen to rock music or sing along as you cruise down the highway.

  1. English Bulldog

This is a friendly and devoted dog that gets along well with kids. It makes a funny travel companion while snoring at its seat. You need to stay on your game and ask for directions when needed. After all, with a Bulldog by your side, he is liable to slobber you into submission for assistance.

  1. Maltese

This dog breed is vigilant, intelligent, adaptable, and lively. It wants nothing more than to love and be loved. All these characteristics make it a perfect travel companion.

Conclusion

Every road trip requires adequate planning. The ultimate goal of having a road trip with your four-legged friend is to have a stress-free adventure together. When you put the tips mentioned above in mind, you will be good to go. So, buckle up and get ready to satisfy your wanderlust.