Taking Your Dog on Vacation (Part 4)
* Traveling by car with your dog *
Taking Your Dog On Vacation By Car
by: Anita Funkhouser
Probably the most popular and easiest method of travel when you take your dog on vacation is by car or van. The reason for this is that your dog will likely feel more at ease if he enjoys traveling by car and you are right there to see to his needs and comfort him if he is feeling stressed. Another reason is that other methods are more complicated. If you have a dog that enjoys riding in a car, this method is even easier and he doesn't have to be confined to a crate as long as your vehicle has a restraining harness, which can be buckled into a standard seat belt to secure your dog safely. If a travel harness is not an option, then you may consider using a dog barrier, which adjusts easily to the interior of your automobile, keeping your dog confined to one area, making it less likely for him to distract the driver.
If your dog does not enjoy traveling in a car, you can use a dog auto
crate, which works much like a baby's car seat and snaps in and out of
your vehicle. You should never allow your dog to travel in the front
seat because, if the airbag would deploy in the case of an accident,
your dog could possibly be injured by it. The back of a pickup is also
not a good place for your dog to travel as he could be harmed by
particles or debris or become sick from having air forced into his
lungs when moving at a moderate to high rate of speed. He could also be
thrown from the pickup bed in the case of an accident or sudden stop or
he could jump from the pickup.
At least two hours before you start your trip,
you need to feed and water your dog. Doing this immediately prior to
starting out can cause an upset stomach, especially given the relative
excitement of taking a trip. Frequent stopping at regular intervals to
allow toileting, exercise and water should also be planned. The water
should be given within 5 minutes of stopping and another 15 minutes
allowed afterward to make sure that your dog's stomach has settled.
Upset stomachs during travel are common but can be avoided if this
method is followed when you take your dog on vacation. When stopping
for breaks, make sure your dog has proper identification and is on a
leash before leaving the vehicle.
Providing a comfortable blanket or dog bed and maybe a toy to keep your
dog occupied will make your trip less stressful. Just make sure the toy
has no squeak or sound mechanism that would cause distraction to the
driver.
Finally, you should never leave your dog alone in a parked car. Even if
the windows are slightly down, the temperature can rise to 120 degrees
very quickly on warm days and cause your dog to become sick or even
die.
Following these steps can ensure a pleasant and stress-free journey when you take your dog on vacation with you.
For more information on taking your dog on vacation, see http://www.gogreendogbeds.com/taking_your_dog_on_vacation/
About The Author
Anita Funkhouser is the owner of http://www.gogreendogbeds.com, offering high-quality, eco-friendly dog beds, toys and sweaters made in the USA from recycled soda bottles.
