When you hear the words “road trip,” what pops into your head is a fun-filled trip where you sing at the top of your voice to songs on the radio, stop at motels for delicious snack breaks, and generally enjoy the beautiful sights you pass on the road while being at one with nature.
If you own a dog, there is a very high possibility that at least once, your canine baby will go on a trip with you. Whether you and your dog go alone, or you both go with your family, you have to remember that dogs are not humans. Before going on a trip with your dog, there are some safety measures to take to ensure that our trip doesn’t end up a disaster.
The safety measures you take are not only for your dog, they are for you as well. Both you and your dog have to be physically, mentally, and emotionally ready for the trip.
Have you been planning on going on a trip with your dog but didn’t exactly know how to go about it? Below are some safety tips that can make your car ride a fun-filled and safe one:
Get Your Dog Prepared
You can’t just wake up one morning and decide to take your dog on a trip, be rest assured that it will most likely end very badly. Before taking your pooch on a road trip, you have to familiarize it with your car and the environment. Days or weeks before the trip, start taking your dogs on little drives to acquaint them with your car. You can also kick the preparation up a notch by introducing personal items like your dog’s toy on the trips just to get comfortable.
Get a Crate
When taking a road trip or any trip for that matter with your dogs, you must go with a crate. Crates are very necessary and there is a crate for every type of dog because they come in different sizes. You can make the crate even more comfortable by customizing the inside to suit your dog. You can put in the beautiful personalized custom pet blanket in it, some towels, some toys, and other things your dog’s fancy.
Always Know the Law
Before you take your dog on a trip, you have to know the law of your state. In some states, it is a felony for pets to ride alongside their owners with no seat belts or safety harnesses.
When you want to go on a trip with your dog, you can learn all about the laws by calling up your state’s department that is in charge of handling vehicles.
Remember that Front Seat is Not for Animal
As much as it is enjoyable for your canine baby to ride shotgun with you, it is not advisable at all.
Car front seats are designed for humans alone and most car accidents are caused by distractions from the passenger’s seat. If you must drive with your dog in the front with you, you must have a pet booster seat present. And most times, this only works with small breeds. To be on the safest side, it is best you secure your dog in the back seat.
Proper Hydration
For the duration of your journey, you must see that your dog is properly hydrated. The last thing you want is a thirsty dog that is feeling hot. Also, ensure that the car is properly ventilated. Ventilation and hydration go hand in hand when traveling with your dog and you should be mindful of it.
If you need to make a little stop, make sure that you crack the windows open enough to get decent ventilation.
Make Plans Way Ahead of the Trip
Remember that your dog is not a human being that can make decisions for itself, hence, you have to start making plans way before the day of the journey. It is also advisable for you to start packing way before time too so that you will not forget anything.
Going on a trip is quite interesting. It is even more so when you have your furry baby right there with you. Before you decide on going on a trip with your dog, make sure you know all the necessary things you need to know so that you won’t have any cause of regrets.