by Eileen Hughes

Created on: September 07, 2009   Last Updated: February 15, 2012

How to prepare for a road trip with a dog

There are several ways to prepare your dog for traveling in a car. I should warn you though, The best laid preparation and plans can and often do go astray.

That's true, although no matter how much we plan no one can prepare for every situation. Make sure you have done your research, and remember that the care, safety and welfare of your dog is your main priority at all times.

Familiarise your dog with travelling

Dogs like children, often show signs of anxiety. They may shake, tremble or even vomit while traveling in a vehicle. If not restrained they could jump out through an open window, or into the front seat while you are driving causing an accident.

Personal experience with anxiety

After traveling around Australia I understand the trauma a dog goes through. Our dog had a bad tooth, we traveled 200 k's to a human hospital. The doctor gave him a penicillin injection. This kept him going until we drove another 500k's to the vet. She took the tooth out and since then he has suffered anxiety attacks. If we stop at a truck bay he really freaks out when a car or truck goes by. He really shekes and has excessive strength dragging us back to the car to hide inside.

We now have him on anxiety drops, when traveling with him in the car. We believe that he had an abscess under the tooth causing this stress. So make sure your dog has antiobotics to heal anything similar to this before allowing them to extract the dogs tooth.

Therefore you need to prepare your dog weeks before you go on your road trip.

Buy a harness that goes around his body with a short lead that clips into the seat belts. This will prevent him from becoming a flying missile if you have to brake suddenly.

Place this harness on him a few times and walk around the home to get him used to wearing the harness before going in the car. After a few days put your dog in the car fit him safely into the harness and clip onto the seat belt. Start with short trips. Reassure him by talking quietly to him if he becomes upset. If he gains confidence then make the trips longer.

Vet check up

Take your dog to the vet for a checkup and make sure all his vaccinations are up to date. Have his teeth checked at the same time. If he is on any medication then make sure you have enough for the entire trip. Make sure to take the certificate of vaccinations with you as you will need this to put him in any kennels when traveling.

Leash handling

Keep your dog safe by having him

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