Author: Irene Cook Rodriguez
Source: download
Travel time is upon us. When we start packing up the items we want to take, we have to be sure to think about the dogs. Our dogs are part of the family and go with us.
Just like children, dogs should be safely restrained in a vehicle while traveling. We found a leash that has one end that clicks in to the seatbelt. The other end has the usual clip and fastens to the harness. We prefer a harness to using the collars for riding. If there are any sudden stops, the dogs are safely restrained without risk of damage to their necks.
If you travel in an SUV or station wagon, you can get barrier screens to put between the dogs and the passenger seats of the vehicle. These help to keep the canine family member from being thrown forward in the event of an accident.
Some of our friends have vans and actually are able to load up the travel kennels like those made by Vari Kennel. Their dogs are used to loading up in the kennels and settle right down for a long ride. They have their own crate beds and other accessories to make traveling quite comfortable.
Besides determining how the dogs will ride, we need to pack up supplies for the dogs just as we do for ourselves. We suggest that you prepare for most any event.
Be sure you have the water bowl or bottle. If your dog is not too fussy about having his own water bowl, there are wonderful collapsible travel bowls on the market.
We recommend that you carry water from home so that your dog does not have to adjust to new water which may cause loose stools. Pack enough water to get you through your trip if possible. Should you run out, bottled water from the stores may be useful and should not cause problems. As with most things in life, water has its own scent to our dogs. They will know the difference, but the bottled water may not upset their digestive systems.
How do you want to carry the dog food? We like to put it in buckets with lids so that we may stack them and store other items around them. You need a feeding dish. If you have a dog that will only eat from his own bowl, be sure to pack it. Many dogs are not that fussy, and you may use collapsible travel bowls. They pack easily and do not require a lot of space.
Just in case your dog encounters an upset tummy and has loose stool, throw in a can of pumpkin. This helps tighten things back up and seems to be soothing to the digestive track. Our veterinarian also told us that in an emergency, a reduced portion of Immodium AD is acceptable. Be sure to check with your own veterinarian about dosage size if you have this in your pet pack.
Remember the leashes. Most travel areas require that we keep our canine companions on leash. I prefer the braided leather leashes that are easier on my hands. These are available from many sources. The leash works well with dogs that are trained and walk easily on leash. Because the leash is leather it seems to improve with use just like a baseball glove.
We find that it is a good idea to take along calming remedies to handle the stress of travel. Most times our dogs are fine, but once in a while, a little calming is needed. For these times, there are wonderful herbal supplements and even special aromatherapy for dog products that work. We found one aromatic mist that we used on one trip transporting greyhounds fresh from the tracks to new homes. These dogs did not know us or each other, and the mist was just the thing to relax and aid them in getting along together. Sprayed lightly in the air twice, the dogs sniffed and seemed to calm a bit. About half an hour later, I sprayed once more. The dogs settled in and slept for our four-hour leg of the trip. After using this special, essential-oils based product, I can safely say that I believe in aromatherapy for dogs.
We also found that sometimes it gets a little “doggie smelling” in the car when we are in close quarters for a long time. We found another essential-oils based mist that has been great for taking care of this. The fresh lime scent and other essential oils used in the blend soon return the car (or hotel room etc.) to a nice clean scent.
Once in a while our dogs get in to something that causes them to be a little less desirable riding companions. We found that travel size bottles of dog shampoo and dog coat conditioner are great additions. The travel sizes are small enough to tuck in the corners, and there is a bit of peace of mind knowing that if you have a minor coat problem, you have the dog supplies to handle it. There are many places to purchase dog shampoos, just be sure to get one that is pleasant for you to use and the dog does not mind.
Are you going where it is cold? You may need to pack dog coats or sweaters so that your traveling partners are warm and comfortable. An extra blanket for lying on will also be welcomed by the canine traveler.
Going where it is hot? You might consider packing in some of the new towels that are ultra absorbent. If you wet the towels, wring them out slightly, and then drape them over the dogs, they are wonderful cool-down coats. A small spray bottle filled with water is also helpful to cool your dog’s underside and paws.
It really is not any more difficult to pack for our dogs than it is to pack for ourselves or children. We make lists, check them twice, and load up. We also check them on the return to be sure we are bringing back everything with which we started the trip.
Now relax, give your dog and extra hug, and have a wonderful vacation.
The author is a dedicated dog lover and active in greyhound rescue through Greyhound Pets of America – Rocky Mountain Chapter. She enjoys traveling with her canine companions and family. Irene may be contacted through http://BigDogSpa.com