If you plan to travel with your dog, it is best to get him used to the car before you make a trip. It is suggested that you have a few practice sessions with him. A way to do this would be to start out with spending some time in the car with him while the engine is off, then progress to sitting in the car with the engine running. Bring some treats in the car with you to give the puppy the idea that the car is a pretty cool place to snack. Keep the practice sessions quiet, don’t get overly excited, this way the puppy will learn that he can take a nap or just look out the window.
After you have gotten your puppy used to the car, take him for a ride, again keeping the environment quiet and stress free. When you start on your way, and your puppy reacts by standing up on the seat, or tries to climb on the window, direct him to ” sit and stay” and reward him with a treat when he obeys you. Once you have taught the puppy that the car is a neat place, and trips in the car are normal occurrences you will find having your puppy with you a pleasant experience.
GOING ON VACATION
The first thing you will want to do is get your dog an ID tag or other identification. Before you leave, you must consider a couple of things. Some dogs will experience motion sickness To avoid this you should make sure that you have fed your dog at least 3 hours prior to the trip, and you can ask your vet for anti-motion sickness medication. If you happen to have a hyperactive dog, it is well advised to ask your vet for suggestions on what type of medication if any might help.
While traveling, you should keep your dog in the back seat, or in a travel crate. If you use a crate, be sure that your dog is accustomed to it before the trip.
When planning your trip, it is best to find a hotel/motel that is pet friendly, don’t try to hide your dog in your room or think that once you get to your destination that you can persuade the owner or management to let your dog stay with you. And don’t forget to bring something to pick up after your dog after he relieves himself, always be socially conscious.
Include in your plans consistent stops to allow your dog to relieve himself and stretch his legs, you can use this time to give him a drink of water and a bite to eat. It is also advisable to bring an old towel in case he steps in mud or standing water. Also don’t forget to bring along a first aide kit, filled with anti-itch medication, bandages and antibiotic ointments, it is better to be safe then sorry. Its not a bad idea to bring along a copy of your dogs medical records to take with you in the event of an emergency and you need to visit a vet.
But generally, you wont have a hard time taking care of your dog if he or she is properly trained. This is why it is very important to give some time and effort in training your dog so when you bring him or her outside, he or she will behave well. You can use training tools like barx buddy to teach your dog effectively.
Always be aware of the effects of leaving your pet in a parked car especially in hot weather. Heat stroke can happen quickly and results in a dire emergency which many pets do not recover from. If you think that your dog is suffering from the effects of a hot car, don’t even bother to call a vet, just go to the nearest animal hospital or clinic.
