5 tips on how to travel with a dog without going crazy
If we decide to get a dog, it is a good idea to teach him to travel from an early age, taking short trips by car and gradually extending them. The trip should be associated with something pleasant, so after its completion you can reward your pet with a tasty treat so that he remembers this time positively.
The situation changes if an older dog, for example from a shelter, joins our team. Such a companion already has his own habits and is certainly more distrustful than a small defenseless puppy. In this case, before going on a long journey, we should try short trips and a reward system like with a puppy.
If an animal does not want to learn this way of spending time, under no circumstances should it be forced, because such a journey will be very stressful and uncomfortable for both him and us. When we decide to get a pet, we make a conscious decision to care for it. You should consider that when traveling with a dog, its welfare is an important element and adapt to the options available to pet owners. If your dog doesn't like to travel, you should consider leaving him in the care of other family members or family members, making sure he doesn't feel abandoned, especially if he's a dog who's been through a lot.
In many homes, the dog is considered a part of the family, so its needs should be taken into account when planning your trip.
So how can you travel with a dog without going crazy? Below are a few tips to help make your trip enjoyable and successful for everyone.
Regardless of whether we travel in a campervan or a car, driving comfort is important for every passenger, including your pet. What should you pay special attention to when traveling with a dog? Firstly, the ambient temperature. Animals are more susceptible to temperature changes than people, so hypothermia or overheating of the car carries the risk of illness. The air conditioner should be set a maximum of 5 degrees below the ambient temperature, while leaving an overheated car in the cold can expose the animal to thermal shock and a cold.
If we want to travel most of the way quietly, we should consider traveling in the morning or evening. This will increase the likelihood that your pet will take a nap. In this case we will also avoid traffic jams. However, if we have to drive in bright sunlight, be sure to provide shade for the pet, for example by installing blackout curtains.
If your dog is afraid of traveling, you can give him anti-anxiety medications, but you should first go to the veterinarian to check and determine what and how to give to the animal. In case of motion sickness, since our pet can also suffer from this, it is worth purchasing the appropriate medicine, of course, after consulting a veterinarian. The last important element when traveling with pets is stopping. It is recommended to stop regularly every 2-3 hours to allow the dog to do its business, stretch its paws and drink water.
Let's start with the recipes. If we don't follow them, we could put ourselves and others, including our pets, at risk of an accident, a fine, or anything else, including even worst-case scenarios like having our dog euthanized! And it's not a joke! Norway, for example, is a country with an absolute ban on the entry of dogs from the list of potentially dangerous dogs - violation of this can lead to very severe punishment, including the euthanization of the dog.
In Poland there are no specific regulations governing the transport of pets, but this does not mean complete freedom! If a police officer finds that the dog is being transported incorrectly and poses a threat to the safety of the driver, passengers and other road users, he may impose a fine on us in accordance with Art. 60 paragraph 1 of the traffic rules in the amount of 200 zlotys.
So how to travel with a dog? – first of all, it’s safe! The dog should be transported in a special carrier, crate, or attached to the seat belt with a special pin. He is absolutely not allowed to run around the car, even if we think that our pet is well behaved and sleeps all the way. Remember that if you brake hard, the car will be thrown forward and may not survive, as well as endanger others!
In addition to transporting your pet correctly, it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules of the country you are traveling to regarding traveling with your pet in certain areas, walking your pet on a leash, and letting your dog run free. Here the standards are not clear; for example, the directorates of individual national parks refer to this individually when formulating specific regulations.
Sticking with the rules for a moment, it’s worth mentioning the house rules that apply to campsites. Before heading to the chosen campsite, let's find out if pets are allowed and which ones? Our pets include not only dogs, but also other animals that travel with us but are not necessarily welcome at campsites. When planning a trip, let's decide where we can go with our dog passenger. This can be done as follows: call the institution, check the rules on the website or in the ADAC booklet through the so-called “dog” iconography. places where dogs are allowed.
Having made sure that our baby is welcome at the designated travel destination, let's check what he can and cannot do. In the campsites we can find various offers and amenities for pets and their owners. These include designated pet-friendly areas, designated beaches, dog-friendly facilities, and off-limits areas such as a restaurant, kitchen or bathroom. There are also special areas where the dog can run under the supervision of the owner, that is, in a safely fenced area. Other rules may include limiting the number of dogs per household or the size of the animal allowed into the camp.
Contrary to appearances, your dog traveler also needs to be packed. There are things that are necessary and also those that can make his stay more enjoyable. What are we talking about? When planning a trip with your dog, remember that he should also have documents, preferably a health certificate, in case of an unexpected visit to the veterinarian. There should be information about vaccinations, especially if your dog has bitten a stranger. An important element could be a pendant attached to the collar, preferably with an engraved phone number, so that if the dog gets lost, it will be easier to find. A microchip will help if your dog loses his collar.
A dog passenger's first aid kit is another piece of luggage that, despite appearances, can help in times of need. What should be in such a dog's first aid kit? It’s good if there is medicinal charcoal, bandages, antiseptics and other necessary medications that our pet takes. We assume we won't need these items above, but it's best to be prepared and careful when needed. This will allow you to remain calm.
Another important piece of luggage will be the dog's everyday items, for example, bowls - separate for water and food. If he's used to it, you can use collapsible travel bowls, but if he's very attached to his own cups, don't make it more difficult for him to pack the bowls. Don't forget to stock up on your favorite foods.
A bed, blanket or cage, depending on where your pet rests every day, this item must be on the luggage list. This will help the animal adapt to the new place, it will feel safe and in its place. Of course, let's not forget about the leash, collar and muzzle. Poo bags and paper towels are also helpful, as are seasonal mosquito and tick repellents. In turn, your pet's favorite teether or toy can help relieve long-term stress associated with travel.
Rules that apply always and everywhere! When going on vacation with your pet, remember that other vacationers came to relax at their own pace and in comfort. Let's not interfere with each other! If our dog likes to bark loudly, unfortunately in this case we have to be flexible and adapt more to this by choosing a place away from others. Regardless of whether our pet is well-mannered or playful, he should not be running around in a common public place, much less unattended. The stores offer a variety of fencing and ropes that will ensure his freedom within limits that are safe for him and other vacationers.
When you decide to travel with your pet, it is important to plan your trip so that you do not leave him alone in a campervan, trailer, tent or car. In southern countries, if we go there, the temperature, especially in summer, is quite high and the interiors heat up faster. Another element is the dog's position. Remember that this is not his permanent home, so leaving him alone exposes him to stress, which can cause noisy barking or destruction of the interior of the space in which he is confined. Of course, short trips to the shower, washing dishes or to the store, leaving him in appropriate conditions, for example, with the air conditioner on, will not harm him. However, never leave your animal unattended for several hours.
They say that a dog is a man's best friend, so who else could you spend your holiday with if not with him? Hmm, the cat is also a great companion, although he takes different paths!
