Traveling
with a dog can be really rewarding: as well as offering comfort and companionship,
it can also increase your personal safety. To ensure the most comfortable and
happy experience for everyone, it’s important to bear a few things in mind when
planning and undertaking a road trip with your dog.
Before Setting Off
Before
the adventure begins, it’s vital to make sure that the contact information on
the dog’s dog tag or microchip is correct and up to date. It’s also important
to bring along the dog’s vaccination record and a dog first aid kit. The latter
includes bandages, dressings, and tick and splinter removers.
Take the Dog’s Needs into Account
One
of the most important things to remember is to always take the dog’s needs into
account – which may mean not necessarily being able to do everything you want
to on a road trip. For example, many dogs may not be comfortable being outside
all day in the heat. Furthermore, dogs should never be left in a hot car for
anything but the quickest of stops, such as to run a swift errand or to use the
bathroom. Even in these cases, park in the shade if it’s a sunny day, ensure
the car has plenty of airflow and have drinking water available.
Build in Breaks
Those
who regularly road trip with their dog, like Raihane Hassaine, know that
every dog is different when it comes to how long they’re happy to sit still or
sleep while in a vehicle. Some will be happy to snooze for much of the day,
while others will have more energy to expel. It’s vital to take your dog’s
unique needs and temperament into account to ensure that it’s getting enough
time to stretch its legs and exercise.
Most
dogs will need to stop for a bathroom break every hour or two (this is likely
to be more frequent for puppies), although if a dog shows signs of needing to
go to the toilet it’s important to stop as soon as it’s safe to do so [.
Pack Some Toys
High-quality
toys that will last are a great way to provide a dog with mental stimulation
while on a road trip. Balls, frisbees and ball throwers are good options to
encourage dogs to get some additional exercise during stops. A stop at a local
dog park could be a good idea too, both for letting off steam and
socialisation.
