Fido on Vacation? Tips for Traveling with Dogs

2019 Forte

Tips for Traveling with Dogs

Full disclosure here–we at Avondale Nissan are unabashed dog lovers. We love playing with them, we love wrassin’ with them, we even love the dusty smell of their paws. But perhaps more than anything, we love taking our dogs for a ride in the car. But what are the best tips for traveling with a dog in the car? Here are five of our favorite tips, from your friends at Avondale Nissan!
1) Make a travel goodie bag for your dog. Any time you’re going on a lengthy trip with your dog, you’ll be needing a variety of essential items for your dog. Make an inventory including the following: a leash, food, bowls, plastic bags, medications, treats, and a toy or pillow that is familiar to your dog. This way, you’ll be ready for any situation that may arise.
2) Get your dog acclimated to the car. Dogs typically aren’t great travelers right off the bat. Thus, taking your dog on a few smaller jaunts around town will help to make your dog a better traveler in the long run, and make him or her more calm when a longer trip comes along.
3) Get and secure a well-suited kennel. Although dogs might enjoy the sights and sounds of travel, wandering freely around the car during travel is pretty unsafe. Just think, you slam on the brakes unexpectedly, and your dog becomes a projectile. So find a kennel large enough that the dog can stand, and secure it in the rear of your vehicle.
4) Feed and run your dog prior to travel. If you are able, get your dog a proper feeding three or more hours before the trip. This will allow the food to fully settle, making your dog more comfortable. Also, exercising your dog prior to travel will make your dog more likely to relax during a trip.
5) Roll up the windows. We know, this is difficult. But for the safety of your dog, don’t let its head out the window at highway speeds. They could get debris in their eyes and could damage their ears from the friction of exposure to high winds.
We hope that these tips help you out next time you’re traveling with your four-legged friends! And, next time you’re in the neighborhood, pay us a visit at Avondale Nissan! (We have dog treats too.)