Cumming, Georgia — So often as dog owners are on their way to see family and friends during the Holiday Season, they are also taking their dogs. No matter if you are going by car, truck, plane or train, Home Dog Training can offer helpful tips for the estimated 44.8 million U.S. dog owners on how to travel safely with their dogs.
“The holidays can be a great time to travel, visiting and sharing the season with family.” said Bruce Edwards, dog behavioral therapist. “There is no reason not to let your dog join in. By following some simple safety guidelines, you can make sure to have a safe and pleasant journey.”
General Travel Tips
- It is important to always have the ability to keep your dog restrained on your travels. This makes no difference if you are in a car, train, plane, etc.
- Make sure you have up to date identification to attached on your dog’s collar. Even better, have him microchipped, which provides a permanent form of I.D. to help guarantee that he is returned to you if he gets lost.
- Have a recent photograph of your dog to make it easier for people to help you look for him if he gets lost. Keeping it on your phone is always easy.
- If your dog can become easily anxious or car sick, check with your veterinarian about using pet tranquilizers for your dog appropriate for the particular type of travel you will take.
- Give your dog his meal one to two hours before you start your trip. Don’t give him food or water as you are actively traveling because the food can spill. This will make him to lie in a mess during the trip. As a general rule of thumb, most dogs can go 8 to 12 hours without food or water. Check with your vet to verify this for your dog.
Cars and Trucks
- As I said before, make sure your dog can be restrained in your car or truck. An unrestrained dog is dangerous to himself and others. He can fly through the car and injure you or the other passengers or himself if the car has to stop quickly.
- Have your dog in the back seat (air bags don’t understand about dogs and can hurt or kill them if they are deployed) with a pet travel safety harness or dog car seat. If you are in an SUV, put in a dog barrier to keep the dog in the back area of the vehicle as well as putting him in his harness and attaching it to the hooks normally found on the floor.
- If you must transport your dog in the bed of a pickup, use a crate or carrier secured to the truck bed to prevent him from being thrown into traffic at a sudden stop.
- Don’t allow your dog to put his head out the window. He does not “understand you are going fast” and the wind could hurt his neck or eyes.
- Take plenty of stops and exercise your dog often. This will help him be more relaxed and able to acclimate to his new surroundings.
- When stopping for a break and before you open the car door, make sure your dog’s leash is firmly attached to his collar and held in your hand. Even the most obedient pet can become a little adrenalized when traveling. Always use a leash to walk your dog.
- Stop every three to four hours so your dog can potty, stretch his legs, get a sip of water, and help him understand that he’s going to another environment.
- Watch for large changes in temperature during your trip. Your car is like an oven under the blazing sun and a freezer in the bitter cold.
Airline or Train Travel
- No matter if your dog will be traveling in the cabin with you or in the cargo hold, he will need to be transported in a dog carrier approved by the airline. Check the airline (or train line) website for their specific requirements.
- If your pet will be traveling in the luggage area, check for restrictions on any health/immunization and other requirements.
- Make sure you have direct flights to avoid mix-ups during transfers or the possibility of delays in getting your pet off the plane. See if the airline will let you watch them load and unload your dog from the cargo hold.
- When you get to your final stop, open the carrier as soon as you are in a safe place. Make sure you clip on his leash and then examine him immediately for anything strange. If anything seems wrong, get him to a vet as soon as possible.
“A happy and well-socialized dog that knows you will always be there to keep him safe and secure will love going with you on trips,” added Edwards. For more information, please contact us by visiting Call Bruce and Robin.
Cumming, Georgia — So often as dog owners are on their way to see family and friends during the Holiday Season, they are also taking their dogs. No matter if you are going by car, truck, plane or train, Home Dog Training can offer helpful tips for the estimated 44.8 million U.S. dog owners on how to travel safely with their dogs.
“The holidays can be a great time to travel, visiting and sharing the season with family.” said Bruce Edwards, dog behavioral therapist. “There is no reason not to let your dog join in. By following some simple safety guidelines, you can make sure to have a safe and pleasant journey.”
General Travel Tips
- It is important to always have the ability to keep your dog restrained on your travels. This makes no difference if you are in a car, train, plane, etc.
- Make sure you have up to date identification to attached on your dog’s collar. Even better, have him microchipped, which provides a permanent form of I.D. to help guarantee that he is returned to you if he gets lost.
- Have a recent photograph of your dog to make it easier for people to help you look for him if he gets lost. Keeping it on your phone is always easy.
- If your dog can become easily anxious or car sick, check with your veterinarian about using pet tranquilizers for your dog appropriate for the particular type of travel you will take.
- Give your dog his meal one to two hours before you start your trip. Don’t give him food or water as you are actively traveling because the food can spill. This will make him to lie in a mess during the trip. As a general rule of thumb, most dogs can go 8 to 12 hours without food or water. Check with your vet to verify this for your dog.
Cars and Trucks
- As I said before, make sure your dog can be restrained in your car or truck. An unrestrained dog is dangerous to himself and others. He can fly through the car and injure you or the other passengers or himself if the car has to stop quickly.
- Have your dog in the back seat (air bags don’t understand about dogs and can hurt or kill them if they are deployed) with a pet travel safety harness or dog car seat. If you are in an SUV, put in a dog barrier to keep the dog in the back area of the vehicle as well as putting him in his harness and attaching it to the hooks normally found on the floor.
- If you must transport your dog in the bed of a pickup, use a crate or carrier secured to the truck bed to prevent him from being thrown into traffic at a sudden stop.
- Don’t allow your dog to put his head out the window. He does not “understand you are going fast” and the wind could hurt his neck or eyes.
- Take plenty of stops and exercise your dog often. This will help him be more relaxed and able to acclimate to his new surroundings.
- When stopping for a break and before you open the car door, make sure your dog’s leash is firmly attached to his collar and held in your hand. Even the most obedient pet can become a little adrenalized when traveling. Always use a leash to walk your dog.
- Stop every three to four hours so your dog can potty, stretch his legs, get a sip of water, and help him understand that he’s going to another environment.
- Watch for large changes in temperature during your trip. Your car is like an oven under the blazing sun and a freezer in the bitter cold.
Airline or Train Travel
- No matter if your dog will be traveling in the cabin with you or in the cargo hold, he will need to be transported in a dog carrier approved by the airline. Check the airline (or train line) website for their specific requirements.
- If your pet will be traveling in the luggage area, check for restrictions on any health/immunization and other requirements.
- Make sure you have direct flights to avoid mix-ups during transfers or the possibility of delays in getting your pet off the plane. See if the airline will let you watch them load and unload your dog from the cargo hold.
- When you get to your final stop, open the carrier as soon as you are in a safe place. Make sure you clip on his leash and then examine him immediately for anything strange. If anything seems wrong, get him to a vet as soon as possible.
“A happy and well-socialized dog that knows you will always be there to keep him safe and secure will love going with you on trips,” added Edwards. For more information, please contact us by visiting Call Bruce and Robin.
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