Car Travel and Your Dog – Tips & Guidance
Make Car Travel Safe and Fun for your Dog
There are lots of reasons we may decide to take our dog on a car ride. It may be for a short trip, like to the vet or park. Or it may be for a few hours or even a long drive, either to move or take a vacation. In any case, your dog needs to learn how to act when in the car, and there are some easy steps you can follow to ensure your dog understands what you expect.
The first thing you should do with your puppy or new pet is get your dog used to being in the car. If you have two pets, teach them separately, as they will become too distracted with a canine companion in the car. Spend some time with your dog in the car while the engine is off. Let your dog wander around the car to get familiar with it, but make sure your dog understands the importance of self control. You don’t want to play with your dog as it sends the wrong message, and you may also want to refrain from getting to excited about your dog’s progress at learning to travel with you. You want the dog to know it’s no big deal to be in the car, and as such you may want to consider giving snacks as reinforcement for good behavior.
The next step is to take your dog for a short car ride around the block. Make sure your dog is clear of your expectations, and be firm and assertive when they do something inappropriate. If you are going to use a restraining device for your dog (most vets recommend this), make sure you start using it now so that your dog can get accustomed to it. At this point, it may be best to have a companion help you in the learning process for your dog (since someone should be driving while the other teaches). Repeat this step while taking progressively longer trips, until you feel comfortable that your dog understands how to behave in the car. Remember to stay calm and reinforce good behavior with snacks. Your dog will respond well to your relaxed demeanor.
At this point you will have a good understanding of how your dog will respond in the car. Some dogs may not do well. If your dog gets motion sickness, you may want to refrain from feeding your dog for two to four hours before the trip. If you have a toy breed, however, be conscious of their need for regular feeding intervals. A toy breed’s blood sugar can become compromised if the dog is not fed regularly. If your dog experiences hyperactivity, or if you have any questions about medicating your pet for car rides, consult your veterinarian about what options will be best for your dog.
If you decide to take your dog on long trips, here are a few things you need to remember. Make frequent stops for your dog. The longest your dog should go without a break from the car is four hours, but it is optimal to take breaks every hour or so. This is so your dog can get some water, stretch its legs, and use the bathroom. Always have your dog on a leash, and make sure your dog wears an ID tag. While riding, you may want to give your dog a chew toy (or other non food toy) to entertain it while in the car. If you do have to stop your car and leave the dog inside, be very conscious of heat stroke. You need to park in a shaded area and consider cracking the windows and providing water. You don’t want your dog to spend more than five minutes in a hot car on a warm day. If you follow these tips, traveling should be a pleasurable experience for you and your dog.
