How to Ride Your Dog Safely
Traveling with your dog can take away the stress of kennels or paying someone to sit the dog, and as more people are opting for long journeys over flying, there are a few things to consider when taking your dog for a walk. I spoke with Gabriel Riesco , founder of Pawmos Pet Care , about how to prepare your dog for long road trips.
Secure your dog in the car
Safety is the number one priority for you and your dog when it comes to car travel. The Society for the Protection of Animals (HSPCA) says dogs should not roam in a car and encourages pet owners to travel with their dogs in well-ventilated carriers that can be fastened or secured with a seat belt. Dogs that are allowed to move around can distract the driver and pose a hazard to both you and them. HSPCA also suggests keeping your pet in the back seat, as front passenger airbags can injure your pet in an accident.
Riesco also recommends keeping your pet in a box in the backseat, or in the trunk if you have an SUV with open access to the box from the backseat.
As much as our pets love fresh air, always keep your dog’s head in the car. Dogs “can be injured by debris or sick from cold air entering their lungs,” explains HSPCA.
Consider your dog’s pre-ride behavior
Riesco explains that anxiety, territorial barking, excitement barking, and car motion are common problems for dogs. Anxiety can be caused by over-agitation, nervousness, and past trauma to your dog:
Before a long trip, teach your dog to feel calm and comfortable in the car. If your dog is crate-trained properly, the cage will take care of it. If not, just don’t bother getting in your car. Excitement is not necessarily happiness, and it often leads to anxiety … Treat the car with calmness and silence. The more relaxed and comfortable they are in the car, the better.
Help your dog stay healthy along the way
Young dogs may have motion sickness. The Veterinary Centers of America ( VCA ) state that this may disappear as the dog gets older and its inner ear becomes more developed, but anxiety is the main cause of motion sickness and vomiting in dogs. Signs that your dog is feeling nauseous may include:
- Slobber
- Gasping for breath
- Pace
- Nagging
- Gasping for breath
- Licking lips
You can help prevent motion sickness from anxiety by making them feel right at home. Take their favorite toy with you and give them an old t-shirt or blanket that smells like home to keep them comfortable during the trip.
The canine folks at Rover.com recommend buying a thunder shirt or a soothing collar to potentially reduce your dog’s stress and prevent unpleasant accidents. Be sure to take regular breaks and walk your dog along the way – in addition to letting it go to the toilet, “give it a break from the potentially conflicting sensory cues that can make them motion sick,” says veterinarian Jason Nicholas. …
There is also medicine for dogs to help them avoid nausea. Dramamine can be helpful, but it can have side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth; ginger can be a natural way to soothe nausea for you and your pet. You can hide its ginger root in a treat, or get ginger powder for easier consumption.
Train them to the car
The best way to prepare your dog for long trips is to introduce him to the car right away and build a tolerance and positive attitude towards car travel. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( ASPCA ) recommends that you train your dog to travel by car by taking it on small trips and then lengthening it over time. This will help your dog feel relaxed and comfortable before a long car trip, making the journey even more enjoyable.