Taking Your Dog On Vacation

For many people their pet dog is just part of the family and he accompanies them wherever they go and this often includes vacations.  Let’s face it a dog really is a great travelling companion as he is not going to complain or ask if you are there yet and he certainly isn’t a back seat driver.  Your dog can also be a very good guard against intruders while you are travelling.

If you are doing a log car trip you will want your dog to behave in the car and so it is important to teach your dog good car behavior from a young age.  You can start doing this by going on short trips, even something like nipping down to the corner store, and take your dog in the car with you.  This is to get your dog feeling comfortable with being in the car as at first it could be a bit confusing for him.

If your dog is completely out of control in the car you may want to put him in a crate as this may make him feel more secure.  You can also used pet harnesses that attach to the seatbelt to stop him from jumping all over the car and this also ensures the safety of your dog as well as anyone in the car.

By taking your dog with you in the car on a regular basis he will become comfortable with car trips.  If however, the only time your dog gets to go on a car trip is for a trip to the vet then your dog will begin to associate car trips with going to the vet and will not want to get in the car.  So it is useful to take him for a car trip to a place that he will think of as a ‘reward’ like to the park or beach where he can have a good run around.  He will love getting into the car if he thinks there is a chance it is going to go somewhere fun and exciting.

If you are travelling on a hot day or on a longer trip that may take a few hours then make sure that you pack some food and water for your dog.  Also make sure that your dog is getting plenty ventilation where he is in the car as dogs can become overheated very quickly.  Make sure also that he isn’t getting too much sun on him for the trip.

You will need to take regular toilet stops to let your dog out to relieve himself and have a drink.  This is particularly so if your dog is just a puppy as he will not be able to control his bladder for long periods. 

Whenever you are on a trip with your dog keep him on a leash when he is out of the car and make sure that he has a collar with your phone number or is micro chipped.  The last thing that you want is to lose your dog while you are on vacation.  You need to be particularly careful around busy roads as your dog will be in unfamiliar territory which could confuse him a little.

If you have a breed of dog that is hyperactive in the car and constantly whines and jumps around you will want to get him out of this habit at an early age.  If not, he will continue this habit into adulthood and it will be even harder to break the habit.  A dog acting hyperactive in the car can be dangerous as it can cause the driver to be distracted so get your dog out of this habit as soon as you can.
Use an authorative voice with your dog and be stern with him every time that he starts to jump around. Grab his collar and give him a very stern ‘NO’.  Keep on doing this until he learns that his behavior in the car will not be tolerated.

If you cannot seem to settle the dog then you may need to cut the trip short and take him home so that he is not rewarded by going to the park or the beach.  As long as you are consistent with your discipline he will learn to behave in the car.

When going on a vacation with your dog it is advisable to do some research before you leave to find out which caravan parks allow you to have dogs.  Some parks will have certain rules regarding pets also and it is better to know these ahead rather than get stuck somewhere and not be able to find a park that will let you take your dog.

Being well prepared with your vacation route and caravan parks as well as with your dog car behavior training you will have a great trip with your dog.