4 Tips for a Successful Road Trip With Your Dog

Dogs love to ride in the car, so why not take them on your next road trip? Here are 4 tips for a successful road trip with your dog so you can both have a happy holiday.

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“As a new pet Calvin is experiencing some separation anxiety, so we don’t want to board him or leave him with a pet sitter,” Dr. Loenser explained. “Even though he suffers from car sickness, when the family goes on vacation, Calvin comes with us.”

Here are her tips on a road trip with your dog.

Why use a pet vehicle restraint?

In some states, it is illegal for dogs to ride unrestrained in a vehicle, so be sure you are obeying all laws when you travel. Even in states where there is no law about pet vehicle restraints, it is best for you and your dog that they are restrained.

“In the event of a crash at 50 mph, a 10-pound, unrestrained dog generates 500 pounds of projectile force,” says Melanie Monteiro, author of The Safe Dog Handbook: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Pooch Indoors & Out. “In a 30-mph crash, an 80-pound dog would become a 2,400-pound flying projectile.”

• dogs can be propelled through the windshield in accidents at 20 mph or more
• a harness absorbs the force for a dog in the same way it does for humans, minimizing injury
• unrestrained dogs can collide with humans, resulting in injury for both human and dog
• restrained dogs can’t jump out of the vehicle as soon as the door is open, which can result in a dog injured by oncoming vehicle or becoming lost
• unrestrained dogs can interfere with driving by jumping on driver’s lap or physically distracting them

What kind of dog restraint should I use?

The best dog restraint is a travel crate in the back of a van, hatchback or SUV because it protects the dog and family in the vehicle. It also keeps the dog from distracting the driver, and prevents the dog from running away in the event of an accident. Make sure the crate is tied to the floor or the seat.

For pet parents who prefer to interact with their fur baby while traveling, a safety harness can protect their fluffly loved one – if they purchase the right one.

In an accident or sudden stop, the travel harness should spread out the force on your dog’s chest and back, and minimize the force on their the neck. The Center for Pet Safety, a member of the Consumer Federation of America, says there are 2 types of travel harnesses on the market: those that prevent distraction and those that provide actual crash protection.

The CPS does crash tests on dog travel harnesses, travel crates and pet travel carriers and give the CPS seal of approval on only those that pass their certification requirements.

See their crash test videos for many products here. They give a list of travel harnesses that didn’t meet the requirement for testing, and the list of those tested.

They also say, “Don’t use the seatbelt to secure a carrier unless the manufacturer provides you with crash test video to illustrate structural integrity. Using a seatbelt to secure a carrier can actually crush the carrier if you get into an accident.”

Here is the list of products that passed their certification requirements:

Safety Harnesses:

• Sleepypod Clickit Sport  (Sm, Med, Lg, XL)
• Sleepypod Clickit Terrain  Sm, Med, Lg, XL)
• ZuGoPet The Rocketeer Pack

Pet Travel Carriers:

• Away Pet Carrier
• Gunner Kennel G1 Small with Strength Rated Anchor Straps
• Sleepypod Carriers

Travel Crates:

• Gunner Kennel G1 Small with Strength Rated Anchor Straps
• Gunner Kennel G1 Medium with Strength Rated Anchor Straps
• Gunner Kennel G1 Intermediate with Strength Rated Anchor Straps
• Lucky Kennel Intermediate with Lucky Strength Rated Anchor Straps

Whether you’re at a pet-friendly hotel or visiting family, be considerate of those around you. Remember – not everyone will love your dog as much as you do.

Make sure your dog is well-groomed and don’t forget canine etiquette. Teach your dog to be well-mannered and they will be well-received. A quick refresher course in the basics commands will help make your dog welcome wherever you go.

How to teach your dog to sit:

Dog trainer, Caesar Milan, known as the Dog Whisperer, says there are 3 steps to teaching a dog to sit:

1. Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
2. Slowly raise the treat, allowing your dog’s head to follow it which also causes their bottom to lower.
3. Once he’s sitting, say “sit” and give them the treat and praise.

How to teach your dog not to jump up on people:

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington points out that it is more difficult to teach your dog not to do something than to follow a command. Jumping up is a natural way a dog shows their excitement to see someone. It is a submissive behavior so punishing them can make the problem worse because they want to appease you more. Saying “down” or “off” after they’ve done it can become a reinforcement command in their minds.

Teaching your dog the sit command first is best because you can get your dog to sit before someone approaches them, making it more difficult for them to jump up.

They recommend ignoring the bad behavior and reinforcing the behavior you want. Tether your dog, whether indoors or out. When someone approaches the dog and they jump up, have the person walk away from the dog without talking to them, petting them or making eye contact. Once the dog is calm again, have the person approach the dog, and walk away again if the dog jumps. Approach and withdraw until the dog ceases to jump. Once the dog doesn’t jump, have the person reward and/or praise the dog for good behavior.

The Animal Welfare League link above also shows you how to teach your dog not to jump up on you.

How to teach a dog to come:

Caesar Milan says this is an important command to keep your dog safe or to bring them back to you if they get off their leash.

• Begin with the leash on your dog.
• At leash-length away, get on your knees and say “come” while gently tugging on the leash.
• When they come to you, reward them with a treat and ample praise.
• When they successfully come when commanded on a leash, practice in a safe, enclosed area without a leash.

How to stop reactive barking:

According to the Banfield Pet Hospital, there are 4 ways to stop excessive barking.

1. Minimize your dog’s exposure to triggers
   • block their view at windows
   • always supervise them in the yard
   • remove items that attract birds or squirrels
2. Provide adequate mental and physical exercise
   • spend time playing with them
   • take them for walks and hikes
   • use puzzle toys for feeding
3. Teach your dog the following commands and use them to redirect your dog when barking
   • sit
   • stay
   • watch me
4. Reward your dog for following your commands and stopping barking
   • praise
   • treats
   • their favorite toys

How to teach your dog to “leave it”:

Caesar Milan says to teach your dog to obey the Leave It command in phases.

1. Phase One
   • Put a treat in both hands and enclose your fist.
   • Show your dog one fist and say, “leave it”.
   • Let them react as they will without response: they will lick, bark, sniff, mouth and paw.
   • Once they calm and stop trying to get the treat, give them the treat in the other hand.
   • Repeat until your dog moves away from from your fist when you say, “leave it”.
2. Phase Two
   • Next, only give your dog the treat in the other hand after your dog moves away from the fist and looks up at your expectantly.
   • Move on to the next phase when your dog consistently makes eye contact with you after you say the phrase.
3. Phase Three
   • You will need two different treats, one that is good-smelling and a favorite.
   • Say the “Leave It” command and place the unfavored treat on the floor. Cover it with your hand.
   • Wait until your dog ignores the treat and looks expectantly at you.
   • Remove the treat from the floor and give them the better treat. Share affection immediately.
   • Next, put the least favored treat on the floor and hold your hand just slightly above it. When your dog ignores the treat and makes eye contact with you, give them the better treat and praise them.
   • Repeat, with your hand every so slightly higher. Continue until your hand is 6″ above the treat.
   • Don’t rush. If your dog is struggling, go back to the last success and repeat.
4. Phase Four
   • Once your dog consistently makes eye contact with you rather than focusing on the treat, you are ready to train from standing.
   • Repeat the steps and if they try to snatch the treat, cover it with your foot.
   • When they are able to leave the treat and make eye contact instead, give them the best treat and ample praise.

Take the time to prepare before traveling with your pet. A successful road trip requires researching where you can and can’t go with a dog, and planning a kennel stay while you’re doing something your dog can’t join in.

“Never leave your dog alone in the car, even with the windows cracked,” Melanie Monteiro says. ​”Even on a day as mild as 72 degrees, your car’s internal temperature can rise over 40 degrees in under an hour. Extreme cold weather can also be dangerous. It’s just not worth the risk.”

Plan where to stop.

Rest areas:

You’ll need to stop for doggy bathroom breaks every couple of hours – more frequently if you have senior dog or a puppy. Find rest stops that have a pet area, somewhere you can spend a few minutes of exercise, and fresh water.

Hotels:

Make sure the place you plan to stay is pet-friendly. It’s important to read the rules – just because they have a pet friendly label on their website doesn’t mean they welcome big dogs. They may also require that you crate your dog.

• ask for a ground floor room, or a room close to an exit so doggy bathroom breaks are fast and easy, meeting fewest people possible
• choose one spot to be where they go potty everytime
• set up their crate first so they know this is home base with their scent
• if you leave your dog in the room alone:
  • crate them to limit damage
  • leave a light on
  • close the curtains
  • leave a TV on or a white noise app on your phone for a background noise to limit barking when they hear noises in the hallway
  • put the “do not disturb” sign on your door
• if your dog is apt to bark when they hear sounds at night, use a white noise app on your phone for background noise
• if your dog is prone to mark their territory in the hotel room, use belly bands, potty pads or dog diapers

Campgrounds:

• have a tether and long leash to keep dog tied when at campsite – make sure it doesn’t reach the bonfire
• have a regular leash for walking around the campground, hiking or doggy bathroom breaks
• make sure your tent is big enough to accomodate the dog’s crate or plan how you will tether them inside the tent
• bring collapsible dishes for feeding a watering your pet while hiking – make sure you have ample water for them

Plan for emergencies.

Pack a dog first aid kit.

Did you know that the Red Cross has an app for pet emergencies? It can help you find a local vet. Download it for free.

Check with your pet insurance to see what is covered and what they require of you when away from home.

Make sure all of your dog’s vaccinations are up to date, and take proof with you while traveling. (And their flea, tick and heartworm treatments.)

Ask your vet if there are any other medications they may need. (One of our dogs got parvo and died from smelling the feces of a dog who was infected when we were hiking. We didn’t know we could have vaccinated against it.)

If your dog pants, drools, licks its lips or shakes while in the car, it could be experiencing motion sickness. Dr. Loenser says, “I prescribe an FDA approved medication for dogs called CERENIA® (maropitant citrate) to prevent vomiting due to motion sickness in my canine clients 16 weeks and older – and Calvin.” 

Stay as close to your dog’s regular feeding schedule as possible and avoid giving extra treats or different types of food than they eat at home. They may cause gastrointestinal issues. This includes food or treats provided by the hotel. Diarrhea is not a great road companion!

Dr. Loenser suggests giving regular meals in a food dispensing toy, which will also help use up some stored energy from the trip.

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We hope these tips help you plan your road trip with your dog and make everything a little easier. Bon voyage!