How to Road Trip with Your Dog

Are you and your family planning a summer road trip this year? Road trips are a great way to bring your pup on vacation with you. It’s much easier to road trip with a dog than fly with one. However, road tripping with your furry friend isn’t as simple as throwing them in the car before setting off on your 10 hour drive. It’s important to do research on how to road trip with your dog before settling on a summer vacation plan. 

Do Some Road Trip Practice Runs

If your dog isn’t used to being in the car, a road trip is not the place to start. Before your trip, take a few practice drives with your dog to ensure they’re comfortable on the journey. 

Start with 15 minute drives and work your way up to 45 minutes or an hour. If you notice your dog is unusually anxious in the car, keep the trips short until they build up more of a tolerance.

Make the trip rewarding by offering a treat or toy each time they hop into the car. Once your dog seems happy and content on these practice trips, you’ll know he’s ready for the real deal. 

Consider Where Your Dog Is Going To Ride

Is your dog going to be crated in the back or allowed to lay on the seat? Do you have enough room for all people and the pup to sit comfortably? Consider where in the car your dog is going to ride before settling on a road trip. 

If your dog is crate trained and you have a large enough trunk, a crate is the safest way for your dog to ride on the trip. 

If your dog is not crate trained, or you don’t have enough space, consider a dog car seat or seatbelt. 

You want to make sure your dog will be safely secured inside the vehicle in the case of a car accident. 

Pack All The Necessary Supplies

Your dog is likely going to need more supplies on this trip than you are. Make sure you bring along everything your pup could need to keep him safe, comfortable, and happy. Some items you should bring include:

• A first aid kit
• Bed or blankets
• Toys
• Treats
• Food and water
• Food and water bowls
• Poop bags
• Medical records
• A harness and leash
• Car seat, seat covers, or a crate

Anything your pup uses on a daily basis should be packed for your road trip with your dog.

Plan Plenty Of Stops

Just like humans, your dog is going to need breaks to use the restroom and stretch his legs. Plan plenty of stops on your trip for these breaks to keep Fido comfortable and happy. 

I recommend stopping every 2-3 hours for a 15 minute bathroom and walk break. Make sure you’re offering your dog water on these breaks to keep him hydrated.

Plan your stops around your dogs usual routine. If you feed them dinner at 5 pm each day, plan to stop at 5 pm. Keeping your dog on their usual schedule will help reduce stress and anxiety.

Before leaving on your trip, make notes of vet clinics that are on your route in case of an emergency stop. 

Keep Your Dog On A Leash

Even the most well trained dog can become curious and wander off. Your dog is in a new place and is likely to become distracted while on stops. Keep your pooch on a leash to avoid him running off in a new state where he won’t be able to find his way home.

Ensure your pups microchip and ID tag is up to date before leaving on your trip in the case that he does get lost. 

Avoid Boredom

Let’s be honest, road trips can become boring after awhile. If you’re bored, there’s a good chance your dog is too. Bring new toys to keep your pet entertained on the trip. Chews, such as bully sticks, are a great way to keep them busy. You can also bring dog puzzles to keep their mind occupied. 

If your dog starts to become bored they may begin to bark or be destructive. This will make the trip miserable for not only them, but you as well.

Make Your Trip Pet Friendly

If your trip isn’t pet friendly, there’s no reason to bring your pup along. Stay in pet friendly hotels and participate in dog friendly activities on your trip. 

Plan for hikes, outdoor restaurants, and other activities that your dog will enjoy. Otherwise, leave him home with a dog sitter or in a kennel. 

Vacationing with your pet can be so rewarding. You’ll make memories that you’ll never forget and your dog will love you more for it. 

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