Tips for traveling with your dog

If you’ve got an upcoming road trip but you don’t want to leave any canine friends behind, we’ve got some excellent tips for you to follow on how best to prepare and carry out those traveling plans with your dog along for the ride.

• Prepare for your travel plans by taking short trips, or even simply sitting in the car with your dog, so they get a feel for what it’s like
• Be sure your dog has a collar with updated tags that show their name, your name, immunization information and contact information; also, doesn’t hurt to bring along an updated photo
• While it might sound strange, don’t feed your dog the day of the trip – riding on an empty stomach can prevent car sickness
• Make sure your dog has access to plenty of water as you go
• Ride with the windows down enough to ventilate the car
• Be sure to take pit stops often as you go, giving your dog a much-needed stretch of the legs and potty break

[ READ MORE: Best Dog Parks near Columbus GA ]

What not to do with your dog in a vehicle

There are several things you want to make sure not to do as well, as they can lead to mental trauma, physical injury, and in some cases, even death. Make sure to follow these don’ts in addition to the tips above.

• Do not let your dog ride with his head out of a window
• Do not let your dog ride in an open truck bed
• Do not leave your dog alone in a closed vehicle
• Do not let any passengers tease or pick on your dog

If you follow these dos and don’ts, you should have a lovely time on the road with your canine partner in crime. Just remember, you’ll probably have to deal with some hair problems afterwards. Happy and safe travels!