Canine Travel Tips

Canine Travel Tips

WHAT TO DO

Trowser is your faithful and loyal companion all year long. He looks forward to your vacation almost as much as you do. With a little forethought and planning, taking Trowser with you on your vacation can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Without this little extra effort on your part, Trowser could turn your vacation into a disaster. You could place your dog in a commercial kennel for two weeks and avoid the whole problem; however kenneling can be expensive. You your dog once a day, but he will be bored, lonely and neglected most of the time. You know Trowser wants to go, so why not just take him along?

CALL AHEAD

Check out motels and campgrounds. Whether you will be staying in motels or at RV campgronnds, call ahead and ask if they accept pets. If a refundable deposit is required, pay it gladly. If the deposit is not refundable, find another motel; why pay for someone else's carelessness?

Take Trowser to the veterinarian a few weeks before you plan to leave. Make sure all his shots are current and that be is in the best of health. Ask your veterinarian for a Health Certificate and proof of rabies inoculation Keep these documents with you on your vacation. You may never need to display them, but should they be required and you don't have them, it could be expensive and time consuming. Tell your veterinarian where you will be going. There may be some communicable diseases prevalent in Vacationland that do not exist locally and for which Trowser shouid be inoculated. Ask your veterinatian about ticks and Lyme Disease, especially if you will be walking or hiking in wooded or grassy areas. Also get one of those dog tags with your name and phone number engraved on it (or enclosed in it), just in case Trowser misplaces you. Be sure to place Trowser's rabies tag and his name tag on the leather collar he will wear for the entire trip -- and don't forget his leash.

In addition, it's a good idea to buy or borrow a dog crate, big enough for your dog to lie down comfortably. (It also has to fit in you car.) Place the crate in your family room or wherever your family gathers to relax for the evening. Encourage your dog to get used to his crate, using dog biscuits as a reward. Even if he seems to ignore the crate, he will know it is there.

PACKING

When packing for your vacation, pack for Trowser too. Besides his leash and crate, he needs his bed (or favorite blanket), his food and water dishes, dog food, and prescribed medications, and his own supply of water from home. Often strange food or strange water will upset your dog's stomach and cause diarrhea. Bring enough dog food and water for the length of trip you are planning. Also pack a few large towels, his toys, combs, brushes, dog shanpoo and flea spray. He will feel secure in his own bed and with his favorite toy. Regular grooming and checking for ticks while on vacation will make him more enjoyable to live with in close quarters. And, don't forget a large supply of small plastic trash bags for picking up his "calling cards." It is your responsibility to pick up after your dog wherever you go. This essential consideration of your fellow vacationers and motel managers will endear you to them forever.

DRIVING

During long drives your dog will have to relieve himself and be exercised periodically. The driving time between rest stops can vary from two to four hours (and sometimes even up to six hours), depending on your dog's age and traveling experience. Plan your route carefully, and allow yourself ample time to reach your destination. You should offer your dog his own water at every stop. In fact, non-spillable water dishes are on the market allowing Trowser free access to water in the car. Encourage your dog to ride in his crate in the car. It is safer for both of you. If your dog is already used to riding in the car, so much the better. If not, sometimes a very light dinner, or no dinner at all, the night before departure will prevent car sickness. A few drives around the neighborhood might help get your dog used to riding in the car. If your dog should get car sick, have plenty of supplies in the car for clean-ups. Your veterinatian may have some suggestions on preventing car sickness. Ask him when you go for Trowser's check-up.

A dog always appreciates a little fresh air. Drive with at least one window open a few inches. If it is hot, open all the windows in the car a few inches. Never open any window enough to allow your dog to jump out of the car. Some dogs require an air conditioner while riding in tile car on hot days. Is your dog one of these? Never leave your dog enclosed in a parked car on hot days! If it is 90° outside the car, it can quickly reach 140° inside the parked car and death due to heat prostration can occur. If your dog gets uncomfortably warm place cool, damp towels under him. If he goes into heat prostration, wrap him in cold, wet towels and get him to a veterinarian immediately. All towns, whatever size, have at least one veterinarian. When you check in to the motel or RV campground, get his phone number just in case of diarrhea, bee stings, vomiting, snake bites, deep cuts, aliergies, etc. While most of these problems never occur and most dogs travel quite easily, it is always best to be prepared.

STAYING AT MOTELS AND CAMPGROUNDS

When you check into motels and campgrounds, remind the manager that you have your dog with you and assure him that Trowser will be no problem. Then keep your word. If your dog, heaven forbid, does eat a motel chair for a snack, insist on paying for all damages. Since your dog should never be left alone loose in a motel room, this should never happen. When you arrange for a sitter for your children, just include Trowser in the arrangements. Or, remember that crate you brought along? Trowser can be left in his crate in the motel for up to four hours at a time (as long as he does not bark). This will give you and your family free time for non-doggy activities. Putting Trowser's favorite toys and blanket in the crate with him will greatly improve his "quiet" time. In fact, he will come to regard his crate as his personal "portable dog house" or his "home away from home," so to speak.

USE YOUR DOG'S LEASH

Unless you are on private property and have been given permission to let your dog run loose, he should he "on leash" whenever out of the car, RV, or motel. The leash is your dog's best friend. It protects him from being run over by a car or getting lost. It prevents him from being a nuisance to other vacationers. You, or some member of your family, will have to walk your dog regularly (the exercise is good for both of you). You will find Trowser is a pleasure to have on a nature walk or hike. He will notice many wonderful things you may have missed without him.

PICKING UP AFfER YOUR DOG

Remember those small, plastic trash bags you packed? They work extremely well for picking up behind Trowser. Stick one or two in yoor pocket as you start for your walk. Whenever your dog relieves himself, turn the plastic bag inside-out, put your hand into the inverted bag, and pick up his offending "calling card." With your hand still in the bag, turn the bag right side-out, remove your hand, tie a knot in the top of (or seal) the bag and deposit in the nearest trash can. No mess, no odor, and your hand is clean!!

If everyone traveling with a dog followed these suggestions, they would find the well-being of their beloved pet practically assured. The would find their vacation with Trowser more enjoyable and their relations with motel managers and fellow vacationers greatly improved. By the way, if you are traveling with a puppy the procedure is the same as with an adult dog.