One of the main worries of dog owners when they go on vacation is what they will do with their beloved companion.
For a lot of people, they just opt to leave their pet at home. They just have their neighbors check on them or they even leave them with their friends or family.
However, some people can’t bear parting with their canine loved ones. If you are one of these people, the possibility of being able to travel with your dog often comes up.
For those who are considering this option, there are several things that you should seriously think about. Here are the six factors to take into account when you plan to travel with your dog.
1. Crating
The first thing to think about when you travel with your dog is how you plan to carry him about. Dogs are notorious for refusing to be caged.
However, it is sometimes necessary for some travel arrangements. It also can make things easier – you don’t want your dog running around on any major conveyance.
First, before you crate your dog, you will need to exercise him first. This burns off a lot of excess energy and ensures that they are calmer and easier to wrangle.
Second, ensure that the crate or cage is safe and comfortable. Your pet will be staying inside it for hours and you don’t want them to get hurt or be inconvenience.
Third, be encouraging when crating your pet. Your dog will feel your feelings and being sad about crating them will only convince them that something bad is happening.
Finally, come back in 15 minutes or stay with them as much as possible. This ensures that they don’t feel forgotten. It also gives them the feeling that the crate is not so bad.
Additionally, when it’s time to release them, don’t take them out yourself. Just open the door so they can come out on their own.
2. Driving.
One of the more popular ways to travel with your dog is by car. This is why crating is pretty important. If you’ve got a small car, having them free in your backseat or on the passenger side can be a problem.
Crating ensures that they won’t distract your driving. Even if you have the space like a van or an RV, keeping them penned in is a good idea.
Before driving though, you should avoid feeding you pet. Dogs can get carsick and too much food will cause a mess. Just give them light protein-rich snacks whenever you are taking a break from driving.
You should also take them out of the car and walk them around while doing this to ensure that they get the exercise and air.
3. Flying.
When you travel with your dog abroad, it’s unavoidable that you will need to crate your pets. However, you will also need to be familiar with the rules that the airline has on pets. Do the reading beforehand to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Just like when you’re driving, you should not feed your pets a lot before the flight.
Fortunately, most flights are short so they should not get that hungry. Have them fast for six hours before the flight, but give them access to water so that they can get hydrated.
Finally, be calm when parting with your dog. This ensures that they will stay calm in storage.
4. Medication.
Some people advise giving sedatives when you travel with your dog. However, this is a bad idea. This will get you in the habit on relying on pills to keep your dog calm or compliant.
They can also have negative effects that your vet will most likely frown upon. It’s best to rely on old-fashioned discipline and encouraging behavior to keep your pet well-behaved during the trip.
You can also opt to just give them access to a variety of calming tools. Bring along their favorite toy or blanket to keep them comfortable. You can also rub in some lavender oil at the base of their or head to massage away their worries.
5. Exercise.
When you travel with your dog, its health is a paramount concern. The main way to keep them healthy is to keep them well-exercised. Take them on a regular walk around your hotel or wherever you are staying.
A recently-exercised dog is a lot calmer than one that is filled with boundless energy. You may notice that they will tend to growl at passerby while doing so.
Don’t worry, this is natural. They are just nervous so don’t be harsh on them. Just be calm and reassuring to get them back into good temper.
6. New Places.
One of the biggest challenges when you travel with your dog is that they are introduced to a lot of new places.
The first thing that you should assure yourself is that wherever you are staying is pet-friendly. This ranges from the food to the accommodations.
When you’ve found a good place to stay, you should then introduce your pet to the surroundings. Always be strict when you bring your pet in and always be the first to do anything.
This shows that you are in charge and ensures that they behave.
Walking around new surroundings will be a novel experience for your pet. There will be new sights, sounds, smells, and even food.
This is why you need to keep your eye on them. This is especially so when you visit during the holidays. Be vigilant to ensure their safety.
Conclusion
Knowing these relevant bits of info can help make your plans to travel with your dog a lot easier.
Traveling with your pet can be a pleasant and lovely experience. However, you will need to be prepared as much as possible. This way you can ensure that you have a worry-free vacation with your beloved canine.
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