Learning how to travel with a dog in a car is one of the safest things that you can do when you take your next trip with the family. There are states where you can be pulled over for not transporting your dog safely, and there are still other states that have laws about leaving your dog in the car. Your dog needs to have the same travel experience that you have, and all the things you need are listed below. Go through each one of these steps, and you can bring dogs in cars without a care in the world.
Article Summary
Crash-Rated Crate
You need to have a crash-rated crate or a crate that was designed for travel. The best dog crates for this purpose have hard plastic shells, and they have been certified to be safe for dogs. The dog car carrier should have a way to strap it in with the seat belts, and you need a dog carrier for cars that will actually fit in the seat. These crates also need to be out of the sun as much as possible which means you might want to include a shade.
The travel dog crate should have a place for their food and water because that helps your dog remain healthy and hydrated when they are in the car. You might want to select a dog travel kennel or cage with more air vents, and you can pack it with their favorite blanket or a pillow that will help them curl up and go to sleep.
Food And Water
You need to have the exact same experience as your dog which means you both have access to snacks and water. You can get a dog car carrier for small dogs that has a big space for the dog food and water bowl, or you could have a place where you can hand them food and give them a little water. These snacks and water breaks should happen often, or your dog will let you know when they are in need of food and water by how they act.
Take Breaks
You all need to take breaks during the trip so that you can get out of the car and walk around. Your dog will get very antsy because they are not able to move around, and you will find that you could all use a few minutes of moving around before you get back in. Your dog will be more likely to want to get back in the car if they have had time to move around, and you might want to give them a dog treat so that they know you are proud of them.
Where Are They Riding?
Dogs in cars cannot be in the front seat. It might be cute for your dog to ride in the front seat while you drive to the store for a gallon of milk, but that will not work when you are on a long trip that will take you across the country. The travel dog crate is not meant to be placed in the front seat, and it should not be placed in the back of a Jeep or other large SUV unless it can be strapped in. You need to use the latch system if the crate allows you to use it, and you also need to see if you can come up with a plan to strap the crate in a way that will give the dog more security [1] so that they are not jostled if you ever have to stop hard or need to swerve in traffic.
The Soft Pad
You need to have a soft pad under your dog so that they do not feel all the vibrations of the car, and you will find that you can get the dog to relax because they are in a place where they sleep most of the time. They are completely comfortable, and they can sleep while you are driving. If your dog can sleep during much of the drive, they will be in much better condition when the drive is over.
Conclusion
A lot of people like bringing their dogs on long road trips, but what pet owners must understand is that you need to have a concrete plan for your dog to have a pleasant travel experience. Be sure that you have the essentials to make your dog comfortable and safe in the car. Opt for solid travel crates and remember to put a pad under to help Fido sleep. Be sure that you have taken a look at the things that you can do for your dog, and you need to buy all the supplies so that you can get everything set up before the trip.
