Traveling With Your Dog
1. Starting at an early age can go a long way when it comes to getting your dog acclimated to traveling in the car. Also, remember to take your dogs to fun places, as opposed to only driving them to the vet or the groomer. If the dog always has a bad experience after a car ride, it will surely dread the next time it hears you jingle your car keys. Choose some alternative destinations that will be fun for your puppy such as the park. This way they can have something to get excited about when they hop into the front seat!
2. Remember that a dog is a passenger just like a person. It is important to keep the dog secured either in a crate or with a seatbelt. It is not safe for your dog to be roaming around the car freely, and it is definitely not safe to allow your dog to stick its head out the window. You must also think about your own safety. If your dog makes a sudden leap onto your lap in the midst of a traffic jam you may be distracted and cause an accident. So go the safe route and come up with a good, safe way to restrain your dog during a car ride.
3. If you plan on leaving your dog in the car for a long period of time with the air conditioner turned off, you should really think twice. Even on cloudy days the inside of your car can become dangerously hot. If you must leave your dog in the car be sure to keep the windows down a reasonable amount; that means more than just a crack. Also, if you have a sunscreen be sure to put it up. A lot of sun can enter the car through the front window. Any sun that you can block out will be sure to make your dogs stay in the car that much more enjoyable. If you travel a lot with your dog, and it is legal in your state, get your windows tinted. This is a proven way to keep the interior of your car cooler. Again, make sure you check into your state laws before getting your windows tinted.
4. Leave plenty of water in the car if you are planning on leaving your dog for more than a few minutes. This can help to cool your puppy down if the heat picks up. It is better safe than sorry, so leave more water than you think your dog can drink. As a general rule of thumb it is important to always bring water with you when traveling with your dog. It can be helpful in more ways than one. You never know when you may need to clean your dog off after a mud bath at the park!
5. If you are leaving your dog in the car for an extended period of time be sure to check up on it periodically. A good rule of thumb would be to check up on your puppy every 30 minutes if it is doable. Sometimes it is not easy to leave what you are doing, but it is definitely worth the check up. While checking on your dog take a seat inside the car and feel how hot it is. Make sure that there is enough air circulation, and that the maximum amount of sun is being blocked out. Also make sure that your dog did not drink all of his water. Sometimes a dog will run out of water much quicker than expected. This is why bringing extra is essential. You can always refill the water bowl if you have extra supplies. And remember, if you feel that it is just too hot for your dog to stay in the car, do not leave him there. Nothing good can come from it. Cut your obligation short, and turn the air conditioner on for your dog. Cooling him down should be your number one priority.
These tips should help you set up a good game plan when it comes to traveling with your dog. It is very important to plan for everything that may come up. Always remember to take all of the necessary precautions to protect your dog. If you are feeling like you are putting your dog in danger at any point in time, be sure to remedy the problem immediately.
