If you have a puppy and are thinking about taking them on a trip, it’s essential to know that safety and comfort are your top priorities. You can only expect a puppy to act like an adult dog after some time. Your pup is still adjusting to its new lifestyle, so if it isn’t safe or comfortable during travel, it’ll become stressed out and possibly sick.
Luckily, there are several things you can do before embarking on your journey together, and some even after you’ve left the house, to ensure that both of your needs are taken care of throughout the process.
Book Ahead and Ask Questions
According to the Roanoke Times, 78% of Americans like to go on vacation with their pets. The best strategy for making your trip safe and comfortable for your puppy is to book ahead. Find out what accommodations are available at your destination in advance so you can take your time.
When planning a trip with your dog, ask questions about where they plan on staying and their pet policy before booking anything too far in advance. Especially if they’re going on an airplane. Because according to the National Library of Medicine, air travel is particularly stressful for dogs.
Bring What You’ll Need
Before you leave for your trip, you need to pack everything that your puppy will need. If they’re going to be in their crate during the car ride, bring that along too. A good travel bag with food, water, and treats should also be on hand so you can keep your dog fed and hydrated and distracted by toys throughout the journey.
If it’s a long trip or if you want to ensure that your puppy has plenty of exercise while traveling, bring along a leash and collar so they can walk around when they get tired of being confined. You can check out suitable leashes and collars for your dog as per the breed on PetCareRx. You can also pick up toys, treats, common medications, crates, and bedding on the same website.
Give Your Puppy Exercise Before Traveling
Before traveling, it’s essential to give your puppy exercise. Dogs need to be tired out before travel because they can develop separation anxiety and motion sickness. Puppies also need to be tired before the trip because they don’t have the same tolerance for car rides as adults, so too much activity beforehand will leave them feeling sick.
Exercise is also a great way to prevent separation anxiety during travels like road trips or flights. If you let your puppy run around outside or play fetch every day, he won’t mind being away from home so much when it comes time for an actual trip.
Keep Your Puppy Secure in Your Travel Vehicle
If you choose to use a crate instead, make sure that it will not tip over when driving on an uneven road, and check with an experienced dog trainer or veterinarian about what size would be best for your dog’s breed.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, most people who embark on a long-distance domestic trip, do so in their vehicle. If you are also planning to embark on the journey in your car or truck, ensure that there’s a secure spot in the car for the dog with a dedicated dog seat and bed.
Prepare Yourself and Your Puppy for the Worst Case Scenario
If you take your puppy on a trip, it’s essential to be prepared for any possible scenarios. Many things can go wrong during a trip, so you should plan what to do if one happens.
Have an emergency kit ready with first aid supplies if something goes wrong while traveling with puppies. Also, consider having two copies of their vaccination records with you at all times so that any vet or shelter personnel can look them up quickly if needed.
Don’t Underestimate Weather Conditions
You should always be prepared for the weather, even if it’s sunny and warm. If you’re bringing your dog along on vacation, it will be even more vulnerable to inclement weather than you are.
Many people don’t think about this when they plan their travels, but the weather can be unpredictable and impact your travel plans in a big way. Preparing for all kinds of conditions is essential by packing the right supplies for yourself and the dog.
For instance, if it suddenly starts raining while you’re out with your dog who’s not wearing a raincoat or boots, they could get hurt or sick from slipping on wet pavement. In addition to keeping them safe from injury or illness during rainy days and nights, traveling in cold conditions can also affect their comfort level significantly, as well as yours.
A Little Planning Can Make Traveling With Your Puppy Smooth and Safe
The first step to traveling with a puppy is to do some research. You want to ensure that you are taking all the proper steps to protect your puppy and yourself and that your pup isn’t suffering from any stress or discomfort.
You can start by familiarizing yourself with the rules and regulations of flying in your area and researching any health certificates that might be required for travel.
Some airlines may have specific requirements for the trip with pets, and you must check out these specifications before purchasing tickets or booking flights.
If this is a new experience for both of you, it’s crucial that both of you feel comfortable during the journey. So take some time getting used to being around each other in an airport setting before heading out on vacation.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you some insight into making your puppy’s traveling experience as safe and comfortable as possible. We know it can be stressful to travel with your pup, but with the right planning and preparation, it will become an enjoyable experience.
