It can be a lot of fun to take your dog traveling, especially if you are going on vacation.
Dogs enjoy traveling...
they love to hang their heads out the window with their ears streaming back in the wind and their tongue hanging out like they're having the time of their lives.
Traveling with your dog takes some careful planning, however.
You need to find out if he is welcome at your friends and relatives homes or at the hotel you plan to stay at.
You'll also want to make sure your dog is in good health before imposing the stress of a trip.
If everything looks like he'll be welcome, you'll need to plan next how to keep your precious pet safe and comfortable as you travel.
Not only is your safety important, but so is your dogs.
Make sure that you use a crate or harness that can be attached to the seatbelt.
Always provide your dog with plenty of water and something he or she is familiar with - such as a blanket or favorite toy - to keep them as comfortable as possible.
Give them plenty of room to move around in, and if you are using a crate, makes sure it is strong with handles, has nothing on the inside that your pet can snag themselves on, is well ventilated, and marked on the outside with the words 'Live Animal', your name, address and telephone number.
Also make sure you do is wearing a collar with his or her identification so that if they you get separated, you can be reunited later.
Before you start your long road trip, take your dog on a few short day trips to acclimate him to the car.
Some dogs get nervous in the car, others get motion sickness.
If you find this out before your trip, you can get a nausea medication from your vet.
If your dog gets overexcited at the mere suggestion of a car ride, and once in the car he won't settle down, you may be better off putting him in a boarding kennel, hiring a pet sitter for them, or crating them for the trip.
You can also ask your vet for methods to keep your dog calm on the trip.
Besides making the trip easier on the dog, it will keep both of you safe so you don't spend time worrying more about Rover than your driving.
Make sure you plan well enough ahead of the trip and that you can bring your pet with you into lodgings.
A lot of hotels nowadays are pet friendly and you can easily find them with a little searching online.
Bring plenty of 'pooper scooper' bags as well so that you can keep others from stepping in it.
Also, when traveling, look for places off the side of the road to stop and let your dog go to the bathroom.
While pet friendly areas at rest stops are nice, they've been used by other animals that may not be so healthy.
Always bring two leashes with you and make sure it is secure to your dog's collar and you have a good hold of it before you release your pet from the car.
To make things easy be sure to train your dog so he will be easier to handle.
If the weather is hot when you're traveling, dog health questions can arise.
Be sure you don't leave your dog inside.
Even cracking a window may not provide enough ventilation.
Cars can overheat on a hot day very quickly, and even though you were only popping inside somewhere for just a second, that may be long enough to cause harm to your pet.
If you have someone else traveling with you, maybe they can either stay in the car with your dog, or run the errand for you.
If that is not a possibility, make sure your animal is secured and has enough water, then leave the windows open enough to provide adequate air circulation.
And don't get side-tracked and be gone too long.
Dogs enjoy traveling...
they love to hang their heads out the window with their ears streaming back in the wind and their tongue hanging out like they're having the time of their lives.
Traveling with your dog takes some careful planning, however.
You need to find out if he is welcome at your friends and relatives homes or at the hotel you plan to stay at.
You'll also want to make sure your dog is in good health before imposing the stress of a trip.
If everything looks like he'll be welcome, you'll need to plan next how to keep your precious pet safe and comfortable as you travel.
Not only is your safety important, but so is your dogs.
Make sure that you use a crate or harness that can be attached to the seatbelt.
Always provide your dog with plenty of water and something he or she is familiar with - such as a blanket or favorite toy - to keep them as comfortable as possible.
Give them plenty of room to move around in, and if you are using a crate, makes sure it is strong with handles, has nothing on the inside that your pet can snag themselves on, is well ventilated, and marked on the outside with the words 'Live Animal', your name, address and telephone number.
Also make sure you do is wearing a collar with his or her identification so that if they you get separated, you can be reunited later.
Before you start your long road trip, take your dog on a few short day trips to acclimate him to the car.
Some dogs get nervous in the car, others get motion sickness.
If you find this out before your trip, you can get a nausea medication from your vet.
If your dog gets overexcited at the mere suggestion of a car ride, and once in the car he won't settle down, you may be better off putting him in a boarding kennel, hiring a pet sitter for them, or crating them for the trip.
You can also ask your vet for methods to keep your dog calm on the trip.
Besides making the trip easier on the dog, it will keep both of you safe so you don't spend time worrying more about Rover than your driving.
Make sure you plan well enough ahead of the trip and that you can bring your pet with you into lodgings.
A lot of hotels nowadays are pet friendly and you can easily find them with a little searching online.
Bring plenty of 'pooper scooper' bags as well so that you can keep others from stepping in it.
Also, when traveling, look for places off the side of the road to stop and let your dog go to the bathroom.
While pet friendly areas at rest stops are nice, they've been used by other animals that may not be so healthy.
Always bring two leashes with you and make sure it is secure to your dog's collar and you have a good hold of it before you release your pet from the car.
To make things easy be sure to train your dog so he will be easier to handle.
If the weather is hot when you're traveling, dog health questions can arise.
Be sure you don't leave your dog inside.
Even cracking a window may not provide enough ventilation.
Cars can overheat on a hot day very quickly, and even though you were only popping inside somewhere for just a second, that may be long enough to cause harm to your pet.
If you have someone else traveling with you, maybe they can either stay in the car with your dog, or run the errand for you.
If that is not a possibility, make sure your animal is secured and has enough water, then leave the windows open enough to provide adequate air circulation.
And don't get side-tracked and be gone too long.
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