Traveling With Your Dog -Tips and Tricks

Traveling With Your Dog -Tips and Tricks

A lot of people feel that dogs are perfect for companionship or fending off loneliness  that comes with age or excessive isolation. Although these are noble reasons to own a dog. Man’s best friend can also be a great companion when you embark on an adventure far away from home.

Not only is it heart-warming to have your best furry buddy by your side during your travels into the unknown. It is also fascinating to see the world through their eyes. Dogs can break the ice like no other pet due to their inquisitive social nature. You are bound then to meet loads of new people on your journeys together.

Still, there are some hurdles you have to overcome every time you bring your K-nine companion with you on your travels. At certain times, however, you will need to get creative. To help you make the experience of exploring the world with your dog even more enjoyable, here are some useful tips and tricks that will prepare you for anything that’s to come. Travelling with your dog -tips and trick below:

Essential preparation

Traveling with your dog can be a fun practice. You will need to work on some essentials to avoid or at least mitigate any potential stress that comes with it. Before making any planning decisions, first and foremost, make doubly sure whether or not you want to take your dog with you. Why? Because not all dogs are “trip-savvy”.

You will need to do some basic training to ensure he behaves accordingly during the entire duration of the trip. If you cannot control your dog in unfamiliar circumstances, he will be more of a nuisance than an actual companion. Definitely consider having your pet microchipped, too. Remember, dogs are all about routine, which is why you will need to plan your necessary dog equipment, transportation, accommodation, and daily schedule thoroughly.

Travel readiness

Next up, supply yourself with the best dog travel accessories for your canine, especially if you are required to travel by plane. Air travel is not always a great idea for dogs’ mental health because most airliners treat them as cargo. It can be an unpleasant experience for your canine so a lot depends on his or her temperament and ability to stay calm.

Comfortable equipment can lessen the stress, plus there are pet-friendly airliner companies chartered to a number of cities worldwide. Still, until these types of airliners become more prevalent, we will have to make do with what we got or simply pick a mode of transportation that doesn’t leave the land.

Automobile travel also has its downsides because some dogs experience anxiety when riding cars. One way to tackle this issue is to take your pet on short frequent rides to train his self-control and adaptability. Dogs like familiar settings so help him create pleasant associations with your or any other four-wheeler.

You can also ask your vet for anti-anxiety medication to make the trip bearable should things become too chaotic. Just remember to use medication as a final resort. The goal here is to teach your dog to handle things on his own, not to get him drugged every time you are on the move.

Trip planning

Your dog will need to relieve himself, drink water, and stretch his legs every 3-5 hours. Make sure to establish that routine for the sake of his health. Also, make a list of all the veterinary hospitals on your route in case of emergencies. They should preferably be within one hour’s drive tops from any given point. Other essential things you should bring for the ride are:

Leash

Dog seat belt/crate or kennel

Water and food bowls

Treats

Toys

Blanket or dog bed

Waste bags

Medication

Your dog’s medical record

Your dog’s passport

Accommodations

Some hotels are pet-friendly and welcome dogs with open arms, just make sure to cover all your options in advance. There are even hotels that offer special dog beds, turndown service, dog spa treatments, and daycare.

Gather all the information you need about the amenities for your dog because it can make or break the overall experience. Also, most hotels charge a non-refundable pet deposit when you arrive, rather than a daily pet fee. Some even skim a little dough with a cleaning fee but it is understandable considering how messy dogs can get.

Remember, wherever your journey takes you, do some thorough research on all the accommodation options you have along the way. Or you could just go camping. Dogs love the outdoors anyway so you might as well give them a chance to sleep under the stars every now and then. Safe trip!