pet travel - Pitstops for Kids

Dog friendly travel: Four tips when traveling with dogs

John is the founder of Perfect Dog Breeds a magazine focused on helping match dog-parents and dog breeds.

Whether you have a long road trip planned or you’re just popping to see your aunt there are certain things to think about before you load Fido into that SUV. Dog friendly travel is natural and easy for many pets, but there are times when dogs can get unsettled and stressed. We have put together our top tips for making any trips, long or short, as stress-free as possible for you and your pooch! Here’s what you need to know about traveling with dogs.

Image Credit: Well Pet Coach

For dog-friendly travel, get the right gear

We’re not talking snazzy collars or personalized water bowls for the car, we’re talking safety gear. Fido needs to be restrained on all trips – no matter how long or short.

Some owners choose to crate train their pooch in the car, some choose to attach a specific car harness to the seatbelt. This will largely depend on the style of your car – whether there is room in the trunk for a crate, or whether Fido has to go on the back seat.

If you choose the crate, it’s best to crate train him well before your first trip so he’s comfortable being locked in for periods of time. Likewise, allow Fido to get used to wearing a harness outside of the car! Lure Fido into the harness by holding a treat in the neck space. Praise and reward him whilst he is wearing it and distract him with a chew or toy. He’ll soon accept it when it’s associated with good things!

For treats, make sure to pack the extra delicious meaty kind to keep your dog happily busy throughout the ride. Dogs that are not used to long car rides can easily get anxious on trips; it helps to keep them occupied with a tasty treat or their favorite toy since it aids in reducing their stress levels.

Don’t forget an emergency kit for your pet! When traveling with pets, the emergency kit should include:

First aid supplies
Necessary paperwork
Extra water
Extra food
Medications your pets might be taking
A leash for your pets
Treats or toys

Has Fido ever been in the car before?

Start slowly. If Fido hasn’t been in the car before, you need to plan well in advance to get him used to traveling! Open the trunk or the back doors and let Fido sniff around and explore. If he’s going in a crate, open the crate and allow him to explore. Throw some treats into the crate. Don’t lock him in, just let him get comfortable.

Give him a treat in the crate and close the door. Let him out as soon as he’s finished his chew. You want him to associate the crate with good experience. If he’s being attached to a harness, clip him in and praise and reward him. Give him a chew on the back seat; release him as soon as he’s finished. Again, you want the same association.

Start With patience

After Fido has explored the car and isn’t really that bothered by it, start with a short journey – 5 minutes maybe. Praise and reward Fido when you’ve reached your destination or when you’ve come back home.

Some owners give their dog chews during the journey but here you run the risk of Fido choking or even being sick due to the motion of the car. DogGear would always advise keeping the treats for when you stop.

When traveling with dogs, easy does it

Slowly increase the length of your journeys. Watch for signs that Fido isn’t coping for example, whining, crying, whimpering, pacing, excessive panting, yawning or foaming at the mouth. These are all signs that he is stressed, so pull over as soon as it’s safe and take Fido out of the car. Let him calm down before you continue on your journey.

If possible, ask a helper to come along on your first few journeys so they can keep an eye on Fido’s behavior. You can then keep your attention firmly on the road. The last thing anyone wants is a lapse in your attention on the road because you are wondering what Fido is doing or if he’s OK.

Plan ahead for dog friendly travel

Once you are confident that Fido is comfortable in the car, you can plan your trips. Look for truck stops with open spaces where you can easily take Fido potty. Remember to take your poo bags and some bottled water with a bowl. Before you head off, take him for a walk and work on some mental stimulation. This will likely tire him out so he’s more likely to settle and even sleep in the car!

Whilst most dogs happily tolerate traveling, these steps will certainly help you on your way to making those trips as stress-free as possible. Plan ahead, get the right safety gear to restrain him and stock up on some tasty treats and chews to help Fido associate the car with good things! He’ll soon realize that those car trips usually end up as a wonderful adventure (vet visits aside of course)!

Tips for traveling with pets

Plenty of families will be hitting the road with Fido this summer. We get it: our dogs are part of our family, too! If you’re planning to bring your dog (or even cat) on your family vacation, we have tips for traveling with pets!

Tips for traveling with pets by plane:

In general, we recommend traveling with pets by plane only when you have to, such as during a long-distance move. This is especially true if your pet will need to be transported in the plane’s cargo hold instead of in the cabin. We have written an extensive post on air travel with pets, which can help you decide whether air travel is right for your dog, cat, or even bird. Pay attention to various airline policies, as they do differ, and the fees related to flying your pet. Always check with your veterinarian to make sure your pet is healthy enough for air travel, too. If you want to be extra careful, it would be smart to take out a pet insurance policy so that your pet stays healthy and safe during your trip.

Tips for travel with pets by car:

In many ways, traveling with pets by car is easier and simpler than by plane, simply because you have control over the situation. We all know to NEVER leave a pet unattended in a car, especially in summer, but there are additional things to remember when road tripping with your dog.

Roadside rest stops and public parks are man’s best friend’s best friend: At rest stops and parks, pets on a leash can get out of the car, relieve themselves, and get some energy out. Remember that many state parks and county parks do not allow dogs at all, so it’s easiest to stick with city parks and roadside rest stops. Getting to a stop and realizing your dog can’t get out of the car is the worst! Always carry a leash, even if your pet knows how to behave without one, because they are required in almost all public spaces. Be sure to know if there are natural dangers to your pet that may not exist at home, such as foxtails growing nearby, ticks, or predators.
Look for dog parks and dog beaches en route: Even better than a public park (but sometimes harder to find), dog parks allow well-behaved dogs to run unrestricted by a leash. Our kids love them, too, because they get to love on many different dogs. I guess it’s dog therapy on the road! Designated dog beaches are available along many coastlines and at large lakes.
Call campgrounds ahead of time to confirm pet policy: The last thing you want to do is arrive at your campsite to realize pets are not allowed. Almost all have leash laws, but some also have noise ordinances you may need to note if you have a dog that likes to bark. Plan activities that include your pet, to minimize the number of hours Fido is ‘home alone’ at the campsite.
Look for pet-friendly hotels ahead of time: There are actually a surprising number of pet-friendly hotels. Most hotel booking sites have a pet-friendly search option, but we prefer looking on Official Pet Hotels. When budgeting for your vacation, remember that often hotels tack on extra fees for traveling with your pet, or place you in pet-designated rooms.
Pick a hotel that is not only pet-tolerant, but pet-loving: If you’re willing to pay, luxury hotel brands such as Ritz Carlton and Fairmont embrace pets, rolling out the red carpet with doggie beds, a pet room service menu, and more. Our favorite hotel brand for pet travel is Kimpton…many of their hotels have pet mascots in the lobby, showing their pet-friendliness day in and day out.

Gear you’ll need for traveling with pets:

Of course, you know you need your pet’s leash and collar (with ID if the pet is not micro-chipped), but consider bringing the following as well:

Bedding and/or old beach towels for your pet: The beach towels can double as mud and dirt control after your pet has played in the sand, water, or park, and then Fido can sleep on them at night.
Pet-designated water and food bowls: You can buy collapsible soft-sided pet bowls on Amazon, which are easy to clean and pack. Or, any durable, non-breakable set of bowls will do.
Crate: If your dog is crate trained, bringing his or her crate makes a lot of sense. Your dog will have a designated place to sleep and rest, and it can help contain your pet in the vehicle, too.
Dog medical kit: Yes, you read that correctly. I’m sure you carry a first aid kit for your family when you travel, and your dog needs one too. We love Adventure Medical Kit’s Adventure Dog Series; the Trail Dog kit we use is only $24 on Amazon. In the kit, you’ll find a splinter picker/tick remover, plenty of bandages, including an elastic bandage that doesn’t stick to fur for wrapping injuries. You also get wound-cleaning supplies, hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting, paw care items, and saline solution, all in a waterproof zip-lock style baggie for safe-keeping.

To find perfect accessories for your pet, check MyPetNeedsThat for their pet products and gadgets reviews.