There is nothing quite like getting on the road and taking an extended break. You don’t need a specific season of the year to do this, either, but you do need to have the desire to get on the road and enjoy every single second of the time you spend away! If you are traveling across the country this holiday season, then the best thing that you can do is make sure that you are prepared. One way to do that is to know what you are planning to do with your dog – and leaving him at home for an extended trip may not be an option for you.
Taking your dog on a road trip takes some planning so deep breaths, everyone! It can be done, and it can be done without everyone stressing out that the dog has thrown up in the car. It’s a good way to make sure that your dog is a part of the fun. If you are used to traveling with your dog already, you’re halfway there. In the same way that you want to make sure that you have insurance for dog breeders before you go, you should ensure that your pet insurance covers you going out of state! You don’t want them to get into mischief and find that you aren’t covered just because you’ve gone over the state lines! So, with this in mind, here are some top tips for road tripping with your dog:
- Get the car kitted out! You need some travel gear to make sure that you are able to get to your location in one piece – including the car. You need to have enough space either in the open trunk or in the back seat. Adding blankets, collapsible dog bowls and a pillow will help to keep your dog happy. You can even line the car with towels and a shower curtain for any toileting or vomit accidents.
- Bring a dedicated backpack. Your doggy backpack needs to be equipped with treats, toys, and more to ensure that you have what you need to hand. Include a leash, doggy poop bags, and even cleansing wipes and towels. These will help if your dog gets muddy while you stop for a drink or a walk, and you can clean them off before they get back into the car. Don’t forget to bring their favorite ball to play fetch!
- Bring their blanket. We mentioned bringing blankets on the back seat of the car, but it’s the special blanket that is just your dog with the familiar scent of home that’s going to make the journey easier. You can provide your puppy with homely scents and feelings, and this will help them to have something to snuggle with during the ride.
- Plan! You need to be able to get out and walk the dog during the journey, and this is so much better when you have planned each of your stops. Without a planned stop, your dog might bark or cry to get out when you don’t have exits anywhere. Planning ahead of time will reduce your chance of stressing out your pet.
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