Small adaptable, curious dogs make great traveling companions. Small terriers and toys such as Miniature Schnauzers, Poodles, and Pugs make excellent globe-trotters. Larger dogs however, prefer to guard the house and give you a big welcome when you return. But there are always exceptions in both cases due to their personalities.
All dogs should be car-trained as puppies, since this is the most common form of travel for them. If you are dealing with an adult dog who is unaccustomed or afraid of car travel, you may have to make a regular training project out of it. Start out with short drives and graduate to longer trips over time.
The best way for your dog to travel with you in your car is in a pet carrier. An unsecured pet can distract you while driving or interfere with the operation of the vehicle. Too many unsecured pets have jumped from a moving vehicle to be fatally injured, when a carrier or tether could have saved them. Car seats and containment seats are now available and can be secured with your current seat belts, and some form of restraint is being considered mandatory by many states and municipalities around the country.
Your dog should always wear a collar with an I.D. tag and rabies vaccination tag, as many pets can become separated from their owners while traveling. You should consider having your dog micochipped. Most all kennels, veterinarians, and animal hospitals have scanners that can read these tiny implanted chips that are registered into nation-wide data bases with the animals home address, name, etc. The process is inexpensive, quick, and permanent. A recent photograph, especially one that shows colors and identifying marks is always helpful.
You should make certain that your dog has all his vaccinations up to date, and obtain a current health certificate from your veterinarian. The following is a list of items that should include as a travel kit for your dog:
- An extra collar - A sturdy leash - Moist towelettes - His food - Treats - A sealable container of water - A chew toy - All required medicines and supplements - Brush or comb - An old towel - Plastic bags
During the trip your pet will need access to fresh water regularly, exercise, and breaks to stretch and relieve himself, and comfortable temperatures. Never leave a pet alone in a vehicle especially in hot weather, when exposed to high temperatures, dogs can suffer from a heat stroke. Lastly, just like people, some dogs can get motion sickness. Signs of motion sickness include whining, barking, pacing, salivation, panting, and vomiting. To overcome these conditions, limit their view out of windows, stop frequently, and again, don't let them become overheated.
Before you leave home, clip or trim your dog's nails, brush out all loose hair, and feed him lightly, never a large meal. Call ahead and make sure your pet is welcome at your destination, as many hotels and motels do not allow pets. Have a great trip!
Some people have a clouded view on how safe they are when they are traveling in their own vehicles. They do not take into account the things that might affect their safety and security during their trip by car. Some travelers feel very secure in their sturdy automobiles, especially when they are traveling at 70-miles-per hour.
Some travelers take few safety precautions when they travel. They feel that they need no further security than they have by locking their doors in the car while traveling. They might not think about how people lurk in the shadows at rest stops and who might be in the back seat when they return after being gone for a few minutes time.
Some car manufacturers have taken this security risk to heart and equipped key remotes with a signal that will alert drivers to an intruder's heartbeat long before they reach their car which gives them plenty of time to avoid a disaster in the making. Other people install additional car alarms to keep intruder's out of their vehicle, even when it is parked safely in the driveway at home.
Most travelers rely on the hotel security system to keep them safe when they sleep overnight at their hotels while traveling by car. They might think for a brief moment that they are safe while parking their car too in the large parking lots with security cameras in full operational mode, until someone jumps them a few feet from the entrance to the building. Most people make it a point to unload at the front of the building and to take the time to review their surroundings before they leave their vehicle.
Some people trust the hotel staff to clean their rooms and to bring them extra towels when needed throughout the night. Some travelers might not choose to use the safety features inside their rooms before opening the door to someone in a maid uniform. Many people have lost their lives over trusting those on the other side of their door who they expected to be there. Using the steel door jam to view the person who knocks would save quite a few lives.
Some people might not think twice about leaving their hotel check-in receipts in their luggage while they go sight-seeing. There should be no problems with the integrity of the hotel staff but since the turnover of personnel is high in the hotel industry, some people might not be trustworthy. There have been several occasions of identity theft where travelers were robbed of their credit card numbers from the information that they provided to the clerk at the counter when they checked into a hotel.
Both B Jones & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
B Jones has sinced written about articles on various topics from Skin Care, Accident Compensation and Dogs. Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest. B Jones's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.
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