Ask a dog trainer: how do I make my dog summer road trip ready?

Hitting the open road this summer with your four-legged best friend can be one of the best ways to spend the summer. It can also be one of the worst if your canine companion is not ready for a road trip.

There is so much to think about when planning a trip with your canine buddy that oftentimes people forget about the most important thing – the dog himself! Your dog needs to be “prepared” for the trip maybe even more than you do. This means more than just packing the right stuff – it means making sure your dog can handle a road trip.

Why Getting Your Dog Ready Is Important

There is nothing worse than being on a road trip with a dog that does not want to be there. Or, the dog that’s constantly throwing up due to motion sickness. While many dogs are happy as can be to get in the car and go, some are not. These dogs usually have one or more of the following issues that causes trips to be no fun:

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• Fear of cars themselves
• Anxiety in new places
• Car sickness

Dogs that have these issues can learn to enjoy a trip in the car, but it will take some time and preparation from both of you.

How To Get Your Dog Road Trip Ready

First – make the car a good place. You can do this by feeding your dog her meals in the car or near it if she is so scared she won’t get in it. This associates the car with good things – food. Feed her in a dish, or scatter food around for her to find. Start with the car parked and turned off. When your dog is clearly relaxed, you can turn it on. For many dogs, the noise is part of the scariness so be ready with nice yummy food (wet food for example) for when you take this step. Another good tip is to play soothing music, like the CDs made by Victoria Stilwell and Pet Acoustics.

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Second – take practice trips. Start out taking short trips, even just around the block. This helps dogs with any of the issues listed above get used to car rides slowly. This especially helps dogs that get car sick. So do Thundershirts – I had a car sick dog and after a few trips she no longer needed it and she had stopped throwing up. You can also use Dramamine, but talk to your vet first! Take them places like drive-thrus that offer treats so your dog starts to equate going somewhere with getting something good.

Third – make them feel secure. Another big thing that makes the car scary is the movement. It is also what causes the car sickness! Crash tests have shown that the safest place for your dog is in a crate, and this also makes them feel safe and secure. Covering the crate and giving them a soft bed or towel will make them feel relaxed. If it fits, put the crate as close as the floor of your car as you can – this minimizes the feeling of movement for your dog, making them less likely to get sick or anxious.

Now that you know your dog will be a happy camper, make sure you follow the below checklist so that she will have everything she needs before and during your trip:

Pre-travel Item Checklist

• Up-to-date on vaccines & disease prevention such as wormer and heartworm medicine.
• Update microchip and/or ID tag information.
• Enough medications to last the trip.
• Pertinent medical history that you may need should your dog have a problem (especially important for dog’s with health issues).
• Make sure all planned stops are dog friendly. Most hotels do not let you leave your pets unattended in the room (I have stayed in a few that do however!). So be aware and plan your itinerary accordingly.
• Pack extra food AND water – some dogs won’t drink strange water. If you are camping, your dog can get diseases such as Giardia from the water, so having your own is a good idea.
• Bring their own bedding and towels, to make them feel more comfortable.
• Extra leash and collar.
• Toys and treats (your dog says don’t leave home without them!).
• Make note of vets near all your stops, in case of an emergency.

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