Photo by @sarah_michelle_lawrence

Make sure your dog is 
road trip ready. 

If your dog has not traveled much in the car yet, don’t wait until the big trip to introduce them to it. Car travel can be stressful for pets and if you are planning to drive for a few hours it’s time to get Fido used to the car. Start by taking short trips, adding time to each trip building up to your expected driving length. Plan something fun at your destination, like the dog park or a hiking trail, to teach your dog that car trips mean fun. Be sure to give your dog lots of praise and talk to him in a pleasant but not overly excited voice while driving. Carve out a spot for him – whether in the back seat or cargo area – that he can feel secure and safe. You can also reinforce positive associations by giving your dog a treat, special bone, or favorite toy when they get in the car.

Consider Containing or Restraining Your Dog. 

Dogs loose in your vehicle can cause distracted driving by trying to climb on you or getting into things that cause you to lose focus. Also unrestrained dogs, like humans, will be thrown in the case of an accident either hitting you as a destructive projectile or injuring the animal. The safest way to travel is either to contain your dog in a dog crate or restrain them with a dog harness or dog seatbelt.  Dog seat covers can also be helpful in giving your dog a bit of extra comfort, while also keeping your vehicle clean.

Always bring water.    

Your dog needs to stay hydrated like you do. Also, dogs are likely to be nervous in the car and pant quite a lot, losing hydration. Be sure to bring a water bottle and water bowl. You should stop every hour or so for water and bathroom breaks. It’s not advised to use tap water in various locations because it could upset an already uneasy stomach given that different tap water has different bacteria. Fill up an old gallon jug with your home tap water and bring it along. Kong has a H2O Stainless Water Bottle that holds 24 ounces of water and has an attached dog water bowl for convenience. You can even drink out of the top!

Keep all Heads & Paws Inside the Vehicle. 

We know your pup like to ride with his head out the window, but it’s really not safe. In addition to potentially being hit by objects hanging down to the road or flying debris, your dog can also breathe in particles, exhaust fumes, and pollution that can cause pneumonia or lung disease. They can also get particles in their eyes causing infections or scratches. So crack the window a little to give your pup some air, but restrain them so they cannot hang out the window.

Watch out for holiday hazards.     

Once you arrive at your destination, be sure to assess the possible hazards, particularly if your hosts don’t have a dog themselves. If you have a chewer, do a quick check for potential targets. Shiny ornaments and tinsel are attractive to pets and they could pull the whole tree down on them not to mention ruin grandma’s most sentimental Christmas ornament. Tinsel is particularly hazardous leading to vomiting and dehydration. Poinsettias are also poisonous to dogs, be sure to set them out of reach. Also, be sure to check for unsecured food and give your holiday hosts a quick run-through of what your pup can and cannot eat.

Find a Safe Running Space

At your destination, scout out the best running space and set up a perimeter using SpotOn. Remember to leave a 15 foot distance from any hazard so GPS shift won’t allow your dog into an unsafe area. Go through a quick training showing your dog the boundaries by getting them close enough to hear the warning tones. Based on past training, they should instinctively move away if they hear the tones. If you haven’t made a fence in a while, review our fence set up video.