Some dogs love to travel by car and it's fun to take them around wherever you go; however, this is not the case for everyone. This article offers some tips for safe travel and you should consider them before embarking on a trip with your faithful friend, whether they like it or not. The article describes some methods of transporting the dog in the car. Remember that the highway code of each country is different; check the legislation and choose the type of approved safety device required in your country.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparing for the Dog Trip
Step 1. Define how you want to keep it stationary in the car
It is not safe to allow him to move freely in the cockpit without some accessory to hold him back. You can consider using a pet carrier if you have to travel a long way or if the animal is particularly nervous during the journey; this is the most effective way to keep it still while you drive. The carrier can help you concentrate on driving instead of thinking about the dog, which is important because any distraction behind the wheel can easily lead to accidents. It also allows you to keep your pet safe in the event of sudden braking or an accident.
- If you don't want to keep it locked up in the carrier, at least find a way to tie it securely; for example, if you have a family vehicle, you can think about putting it in the back. If you have a large and accessible trunk, consider placing an iron grille to prevent the dog from jumping into the back seats. Line the dog bed with blankets or put his bed in a corner so he can get some comfortable rest during the journey. Make sure there are no heavy objects, such as bowls or bottles, as they could become dangerous "bullets" in the event of an accident. Most dogs tend to sleep in cars as a simple technique for dealing with motion sickness.
- You can also purchase a specific dog seat. While not as safe as a pet carrier, it still offers greater safety and is more comfortable than the normal car seat when you have to turn or stop suddenly. The most popular is an enveloping model, which is fixed to the back of the front seat and to the seat of the rear one, creating a soft "well" in which to keep the dog, also useful in case he accidentally needs to. You can make such a kind of seat with a blanket or buy it for little money.
- Dog seat belts are also great tools, if you don't want to restrict your furry friend to a small space or if you have a two-seater car; be sure to keep it tied to a harness and not the collar. These devices are inserted into the "female" buckle of the normal seat safety belt, while at the other end they are equipped with the classic leash hook; by attaching the canine safety belt to the harness you ensure that the animal is restrained by the body, thus avoiding neck damage in an emergency.
- If you have decided to use the carrier, make sure it is securely attached; check that it does not move in the event of a sudden stop or if you suffer a rear-end collision. If it's not securely hooked and restrained, it can prove as dangerous as having a loose dog in the cockpit or maybe even more.
Step 2. Place the pet in the carrier if you have decided to use it
Show it to your faithful friend in a positive way; let me smell it a bit before putting it in the car. When the cage is positioned on the car, put the dog inside, keep a positive approach and move away from the dog inside for a few minutes; get him used to the crate by putting some tasty treats on him, but without forcing him to enter.
Step 3. Get him to do some physical activity before putting him in the car
You have to tire him out before you lock him up; although even a tired dog may be upset at the idea of entering the carrier, it is even more so if he is fully rested.
Step 4. Do not feed him before setting off on the journey
Feed him at least a few hours in advance to prevent him from throwing up in the car.
Step 5. Bring all your dog accessories with you when you have to go on a long drive
Make him feel comfortable by placing a kennel or soft blankets on the base; He also packs some water, treats, a collar and a leash, as well as his favorite chewable toys and some plastic bags for feces.
Step 6. Put some chew toys on the back of the car with the dog to keep him busy
However, do not give him bones or food as he may feel sick and vomit.
Squeaky toys are also not recommended, as they can be very disturbing when driving
Step 7. See your vet if your pet shows signs of motion sickness
Never give him any dimenhydrinate medications (such as Xamamine) or other medications without getting permission from your vet, who can instead provide you with advice to ensure your faithful friend's well-being.
Step 8. Manage hyperactivity before travel
If your dog has this type of problem, you need to contact your vet before traveling; consider whether it is possible and safe to give him a light sedative, especially if you have a long journey ahead of you. Follow the instructions on the leaflet carefully.
Part 2 of 2: Going on a Long Trip with the Dog
Step 1. Let your puppy or your new four-legged friend gradually get used to car travel
To get started, allow him to wander around the cabin with the engine off, then let him experiment short distances until you and the pet feel more comfortable traveling together in a car.
Step 2. Make your first car trips a pleasant one
Don't start off with long journeys right away, but allow it to get used to the cockpit; take it to the park or a meadow so that it associates the car with something beautiful and fun instead of a trip to the vet.
Step 3. Have him wear the ID tag when you have to go on a long journey
Regardless of how you trained him, there is always a risk that he could get out of the car and run away; so make sure you can identify him in case he strays on the way.
Step 4. Schedule of breaks
Let him wander around a bit and get tired. On these occasions, you should give him some small snacks and some water; try to stop every hour or so for a quick walk, even if it is simply a matter of stretching your paws a bit on a bed of grass in front of the motorway restaurant. This way, he can satisfy his own physiological needs and you can give him some water. It is essential to let him take a few small walks, to allow him to stretch his legs a little and thus avoid him getting bored or nervous.
- This is especially important if the journey takes more than a few hours. Four hours without long breaks is on average the maximum tolerance limit of the dog during a trip. Make sure you stop in some grassy and relatively quiet area (not near the roadside), lock the car, offer him some water, some food and take him for a short walk to allow him to let off the excess energy.
- If you stop on a highway, you have to absolutely keep him on a leash for his safety.
Step 5. Don't leave it in a parked car on a hot day
Keep in mind that the dog can suffer from heat stroke very quickly, even at risk of dying if he is in a vehicle parked in these conditions; for its safety, never leave it unattended in the car on hot days, not even for a minute.
- If you take a break for lunch, park your car in the shade and leave the windows open a few inches to get some fresh air inside. Put a bowl of fresh water in the cockpit and release the pet from the seat belt if you have tied it to the seat in this way; close the car doors and order some take away food.
- Try to spend no more than five minutes away from the car if the day is hot to prevent the animal from overheating. If you plan to stay for a longer period, for example you have to wait in a long queue for your meal, tie the dog to the entrance of the restaurant (just inside or outside the door) where he can see you; that way, at least it won't stay warm while it waits for you. Make sure you tie it with a secure knot so it doesn't run off the road. By tying a tight knot it is also less likely that someone will steal it.
Step 6. Avoid comforting him if you see him rather agitated
If you comfort him, as would be natural, you actually reinforce his belief that something bad is happening; Instead, do your best to stay calm and behave normally, paying attention to her signs to see if it is real distress or just discomfort.
Step 7. Reward him once you arrive at your destination
Immediately take him for a long walk as soon as you arrive; Give him some treats, reassure him and praise him a lot for being able to face the whole journey.
Advice
- If your dog has a favorite blanket or towel, be sure to take it with you to provide comfort during the trip.
- The first few times he takes the puppy in the car on an empty stomach, feeding him 2-4 hours before the trip; making several trips without nausea is incredibly helpful in preventing motion sickness from developing.
- If you are on a journey longer than 24 hours, look for a pet-friendly hotel in advance so that both of you can rest.
- Remember to bring bags to collect his droppings on the way.
- Be patient, kind, and affectionate with your wagging friend; traveling is as stressful for him as it is for you!
- Don't let him keep his head out the window; residues of dust could get into one eye or, in the event of an accident or sudden braking, the animal could even fly out the window.
- Make sure your dog defecates before you leave, to minimize the risk of his car getting dirty, as well as reducing the likelihood of having to look for somewhere where he can satisfy his physiological needs.
