How to Travel with a Dog
Traveling with a puppy is an excellent way to develop a relationship with them. It's also an excuse to get out of the house and explore a new place. Finding and taking the perfect pet on a fun adventure sounds nice. All things considered, you want to have a safe and fun experience. But it can be a bit challenging for first-time dog owners.
If you have a puppy and are planning a trip, it's crucial to remember that pups are accustomed to their routines. You need to work with their schedule to ensure they can handle it. If you follow this guide, you can guarantee your dog's well-being and safety while traveling.
Read on for some suggestions to maximize your experience with your pup!
Traveling with a Puppy During The Imprinting Stage (8 to 12 Weeks)
By 8 to 12 weeks, most pups are ready to leave their moms and enter their new homes. The brain starts developing quickly during this stage, known as the imprinting stage. The dog is perceptive and perfect for training.
Your puppy's learning and growth throughout this crucial time can affect and mold their behavior long into maturity. A puppy with good socialization skills will find life more accessible overall. Pet parents that train their pups well and help them socialize during this period help them with learning and exposure. With this knowledge, they'll find it easier to bring their puppy with them whenever they travel.
Puppies experience brief episodes of "neophobia" between eight and 12 weeks and again at about six months. This refers to a fear of the unfamiliar and is a significant factor in how pups and dogs protect themselves. Terrible experiences and encounters during this time can significantly affect a puppy's perspective of the world and comfort level.
Pet owners are advised to travel with their pets during their socializing age to prepare them for adulthood. Doing this will provide your puppy a wide selection of enjoyable encounters. You should expose your pup to dog-friendly places, commonplace items and circumstances, such as car trips, airports, crowded railway stations, train trips, buses, and busy roadways (safely, of course). Early exposure increases the likelihood that your puppy will feel comfortable around them for the rest of its life.
Puppies and Car Travel
Young puppies can ride along in automobiles, but their experiences will vary depending on the dog. Some pups find it very easy to travel in a car, while others find driving in cars a little unsettling. Fortunately, there are steps you may take to learn the best way to travel with a dog to increase its level of comfort and sense of security.
How to Travel with a Dog in a Car
Making your dog feel secure is key while transporting them in a vehicle. They will feel more at ease and less stressed if they have more confidence. It is best if they travel as soon as possible. Learning to travel with a dog in a car is easy. You should get your dog accustomed to cars as soon as you bring them home.
Gently Acclimate Your Puppy to Driving
Your puppy's first time in a car should be in a stationary one. Let your puppy explore the crate or location they will use while traveling. Before you start the automobile, you want them to be comfortable and at ease. Proceed on to the following stage as soon as your puppy appears satisfied.
Take a Quick, Leisurely Drive With Your Puppy
You can simply drive around your neighborhood to the end of the road and back to start out. Give your dog plenty of treats at the destination as a reward for driving silently.
Check to See if Their Paws are on a Stable Surface
Puppies should never sit on your car seat; they should always use the foot well or non-enclosed truck. They'll find it more straightforward if they have a comfy place to sit and lay down during the trip, especially while you navigate turns.
Gradually Extend Your Trips
You can lengthen and space out your trips as your pooch becomes more at ease and appears content while riding along.
How to Keep Your Pet Safe when Riding in a Car
The benefits of bringing your dog with you in the car are numerous. Whether it's a quick trip to the vet, a road trip, or a long journey across the country, your dog will want to be there with you. But traveling with a puppy can be dangerous if you don't prepare properly for the trip. Here are some tips on protecting your dog when riding in a car.
Get a Crate or Dog Barrier
You need to keep your puppy safely contained while driving, especially if they're still getting used to car trips. You can keep them inside a crate in the boot or footwell. Or you can use custom plastic gates for dogs as a barrier to secure them throughout the trip. Ensure your puppy is wearing a harness if you must put them in a car seat since this is the only safe alternative available.
You can find dog harnesses in several sizes. Think of harnesses like dog seat belts which can be fastened to ordinary car safety belts. Before using a harness for the first time, consider using it on your dog for a test run in the house and reward him with treats or belly rubs for wearing it.
Take Regular Breaks during Long Drives
Your growing pup will probably need a lot of pee breaks because of its tiny bladder. Additionally, if it's a long trip, you can take advantage of the breaks to stretch your legs or ease yourself. Also, remember to get your pup an ID collar in case it goes missing during your trip.
Keeping Your Pet Comfortable while Driving
You should ensure your puppy keeps cool if you reside in a hot region or are driving on a hot day. First, to block direct sunlight from entering the car, window coverings latch to the windows. Additionally, window guards can be used to prevent your puppy from rushing out of the windows when you open them for fresh air.
Screen guards and window shades are helpful whenever you're driving. But cars may still get quite hot very quickly despite having the windows open and the sunlight shielded. Even in the cold, leaving your pup in a car is never a good idea since it could be lethal.
Don't Drive with Your Puppy's Head Sticking Out the Window
They might think it's a lot of fun. It usually is, but when you do it too often, you risk irritating their eyes or injuring them. Additionally, there is a chance that kids could unfasten their safety straps and your dog could jump out the window.
It's perfectly acceptable to slightly open the window so your dog can get plenty of fresh air. You could utilize a window guard on sweltering days to slightly open the window further without giving your dog a chance to escape out the open window.
How to Handle Puppies Car Sickness
Although some dogs eventually overcome it, motion sickness in puppies is pretty standard. Put down waterproof sheeting where your pet tends to sit or lie. Permanently preserve a constant supply of paper towels and a cleaning spray in your car just in case they become car sick.
Avoid traveling with a full stomach since a car-sick puppy is unhappy, and no one wants that. To prevent accidents, it is best to avoid feeding your dog two to three hours before your trip. You should always take your dog for a walk before leaving so they are not worried.
Always exercise patience and strive for steady advancement. As soon as the door closes and the engine starts, your dog will get accustomed to the vehicle and anticipate an incredible adventure with a beloved travel buddy.
How to Handle Your Dog's Anxiety When Traveling by Car
Ask your veterinarian about how to use artificial pheromones. They come in various forms, such as dog bandanas, if your puppy exhibits very high anxiety levels when riding in an automobile. The scents should calm them and keep them tranquil for about four hours. These scents are identical to the comforting pheromones their mother would naturally release when they were puppies.
To help them feel less anxious, try giving them something familiar in the van, such as a dog toy basket or a blanket that smells like home. Young dogs significantly benefit from this.
Traveling With Your Dog on an Airplane
Puppies can travel on airplanes. However, it depends on the airline, the destination and departure airports, and the dog's size and age. Different airlines have different policies regarding taking dogs on a flight. Some permit traveling with a puppy that's at least eight weeks old, while others demand that puppies be 12 weeks old before flying. It's crucial to confirm the pet policies of the exact airline you are taking and the specifics of your flight's airplane and path.
Visit a Veterinarian or Boarding Facility
Consider carefully whether flying with your pet is absolutely necessary. Generally, veterinarians advise against taking a pet on a flight unless necessary. Puppies should ideally not fly unless their owner is doing so for an extended period—at least two to four weeks—or is moving permanently.
It might be preferable to leave your dog at home unless you have a compelling reason to bring them along. You can hire a pet sitter, use a licensed boarding facility, or seek the assistance of a friend or relative. Although it may make you feel quite depressed for some days, your dog can benefit long-term.
How to Travel with a Puppy on an Airplane
Puppies and dogs might become anxious when traveling on airplanes with their owners. Bright lighting, variations in cabin temperature, air pressure, and the inability to use the restroom as often as one would like can be stress factors. However, compared to a puppy without much time outside, a well-traveled puppy will handle flying considerably better.
You'll have to figure out the best way to travel with a dog sooner or later. We'll highlight a few things that can make the trip more accessible and exciting for both you and your pet.
Talk to a Veterinarian
The best action is to speak with your veterinarian about food, water, and medications before taking a puppy on a plane.
Check out these modern dog bowls that are perfect for any location and situation.
Sedating or tranquilizing your puppy in preparation for a flight is not advisable. Sedation has significant hazards, and several airlines actively forbid usage or, at the very least, demand a vet's certificate stating that it is vital.
Choose an Appropriate Pet Carrier
You will need to bring an appropriate travel carrier or crate for your puppy, whether it stays in the cabin with you or the aircraft's cargo hold. Your dog crate should be solid, have lots of ventilation, sturdy grips, and a bottom that won't leak. The puppy's carrier should allow it to move around without difficulty in the travel crate.
Before you board any flight, ensure that you are familiar with the airline's pet carrier requirements. In general, the words "Live Animal" and arrows pointing up should be prominently displayed on your pet carrier, with a label with your name, destination, contact information, and other helpful information about you and your pet.
Make a Reservation Over The Phone for Your Puppy
Most airlines only allow a specific number of dogs to fly in-cabin. It's crucial to call well in advance to book space for your puppy and to know any additional pet carry-on fee.
Final Words
The time has come. Your dog is comfortable enough and spoiled enough to travel with you. You've mastered the art of car travel, plane travel, and dog-friendly hotels. Now you're ready to go on that dream trip. Traveling with a dog is a rewarding experience but comes with challenges. A dog's personality differs from a human's, and you'll need to adjust your expectations to account for that.
With that in mind, more is needed to prepare your pet for travel. You should also get high-grade pet products that promise quality and aesthetic appeal for you and your pet. He's a good boy, and he deserves it!
Check out Shophiddin’s range of travel-friendly dog essentials to ensure the two of you have an amazing trip.