Are you going to be traveling with your dog over the next couple of months? While everyone’s back to school and work and our summer holidays are now in the past, perhaps you’ve still got a trip to look forward to, or a visit to see family and friends lined up.
If you’re going to be traveling this fall and taking your pup along for the ride, there are some things to keep in mind to maximize the chances of the journey and your time away going smoothly – like bringing along some of the best dog treats!
And fortunately, Dr. Emma Scales-Theobald, a canine behaviorist and resident dog expert at Canine Cottages, is offering her five top tips. Let’s take a look – if you want to know how to travel with a dog, you’re in the right place!
1. Make sure your dog is secure and comfortable if traveling by car: It’s important that your pup stays safe in the car, and that they’re comfortable, too. “The back seats or the trunk of your car are best for your dog to travel in for their safety and to prevent distractions to your driver,” explains Dr. Scales-Theobald, who also explains that it’s important that your pup is restrained – and, in your country or state, it may be required by law to restrain your dog in the car. Why not use a pet carrier, crate, or dog seat belt?
2. Build positive associations with travel: Whether you’re going by car or public transport, it’s a good idea to help your dog build positive associations with the environment. Dr. Scales-Theobald advises using relaxing music, calming products, and perhaps a compression jacket.
“Practice making small, enjoyable journeys at first to help build their confidence,” she adds. “If you have time, try to give them a good run or long walk before a journey to help get rid of pent-up energy and encourage them to sleep during the journey.”
3. Make sure your dog has the basic commands down: This is particularly important for public transport – we all know how busy it can be! Thus, it’s helpful to teach your dog to follow commands on where to move or where to sit and lay down. It might also be worth training them to stop barking on command, particularly if they tend to bark at things like children, bikes, or other dogs.
Doing so can help you stop your dog from greeting everyone, too. After all, some of your fellow travelers may not like dogs, be scared of them, or simply just want some time to themselves.
4. Feed your pup an hour or two before you leave if they’re prone to travel sickness: Dogs can get travel sick just like humans, so watch out for signs like excessive panting, drooling, retching and lip-licking. Travel sickness is often linked with anxiety, so follow the advice above to help your pup relax and build positive associations with travel, and try to feed your dog an hour or two before you leave – this should give them time to digest their food and reduce the chances of them feeling queasy when on the move.
5. Don’t forget the essentials: Remember to pack everything you need to help your pup (as well as yourself!) have a relaxing trip. Don’t forget dog food, treats, plenty of water and a water bowl, a travel mat, poop bags, toys, and a first aid kit.
Dogs can get really excited about traveling – Dr. Scales-Theobald explains that they can wag their tail, pant, and move around a lot if they’re looking forward to a trip. She adds, “Dogs are very clever and quickly build associations. They can recognize that using the car or public transport can mean you’re going somewhere fun and get excited.”
If you’re traveling with your pup this fall and you’d like some extra advice, don’t forget to check out these 32 tips for traveling with pets. And if you’ll be going in the air rather than by car or train, here’s how to travel with a dog by plane.
