What’s better than going on vacation with the family? Going on vacation with the four-legged members of your family, of course! Read on for the Tranquil Trekker’s tips to make traveling with a dog a relaxing and enjoyable experience!
Frequent Stops when Traveling with a Dog
We find it’s best to stop every couple of hours–and to be clear this means a stop where Doggo can get out and walk around some whenever possible (rest stops are preferable to gas stations, and parks or short hikes are most preferable of all!) This isn’t as easy if you’re traveling through more urban environments. But any time you can stop where there is at least a little grass where the pup can get out and run helps (it’s good for us to get out and stretch our legs too!)
Don’t forget the pups need stops to potty and for snacks and water too, just like us!
We especially enjoy stopping at parks or other green areas to get all of us some exercise. This also helps you experience the areas you are visiting (or just driving through) better. This is a great part of road tripping, getting to actually experience the country rather than just flying over it on the way to your final destination.
We’ve had lots of fun stopping at little parks in small towns. Sometimes they have memorials that help you learn about the local area, occasionally they may even have a small museum on-site. We also strive to find waterfalls/dams/historical sites to hike out to whenever possible. Many times this may be a simple walk of less than a mile to see a cool place.
Related post: Rest Areas: A Road Trip Necessity
It’s not only good exercise and relaxation for us, we always need to remember a good puppy is a tired puppy, and exercise is a great way to tucker our furry friends out (this is especially important if they tend to sleep in the car. You don’t want to get some place and be tired and all your four-legged friend wants to do is run and play because they’ve been sleeping in the car the last several hours.).
When You Travel Pack Treats and Toys for the Dog
Bring chew toys or something the pup can play with on their own (in the back seat, their crate, the hatch, etc.) Also, bring multiple toys to keep them entertained (a stick to chew on, a ball to chase, a rope.) Bring extra toys in case you lose one in a creek 😮 or you meet a friend who needs one!
Have an in-car bag with treats, water, toys for rest stops, poop bags, and an easy-to-pack bowl. Don’t forget food too, if it’s going to be a long travel day.
Pack Luggage for the Dog When You Travel
Pack luggage for your friend, as well. This keeps their food, treats, bedding, harnesses, water, jackets, toys, etc. all in one place that is easy to pack and easy to find.
Practice PATIENCE when Traveling with a Dog
Have patience!!! Remember your four-legged friend gets bored, antsy, hungry, cranky, carsick, needs to pee, etc, just like we do! This can especially be true for younger dogs. (Our former dog got horribly car sick until she was around five years old. The vet couldn’t even believe it. He kept asking, “she’s STILL getting sick?!”)
Give Fido His Space in the Car!
Make sure your friend has their own space in the vehicle. This could be a chunk of the back seat or hatch or their own crate in the back of the car. It should be big enough that they can lie down. Treat your furry friend as a passenger that you have to make room for. Don’t pack the car to the gills and then expect the dog to just “fit” into a spot. They are part of the family right? We need to treat them as such in the car. 😀
We enjoy traveling with Puppers! Use these tips the next time you travel with a dog to help make your trip as memorable and free from difficulty as possible! Now get out there and enjoy an adventure with both human and canine members of the family!
Do you travel with your dog? Have you learned any additional tips or tricks? Tell me about them in the comments!
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