Road Trip
More than 58 million people in the United States have pets and many of them will bring their dogs with them when they travel this summer. Ten-year old Grace Mooney and her family are one. They take Berkeley, their five-year-old Golden Retriever, with them on vacation.
“We usually take him to visit our grandmother,” Grace says. Her grandmother lives in New Jersey, about two-and-a-half hours away by car from their house in Connecticut.
Whether you are planning a long trip across the US, or a quick weekend away, consider bringing your dog. Traveling with your dog can be both fun and easy if you plan ahead, take a few extra precautions, and know what expect.
Planning Ahead
If your trip goes just like you want it to it’s a success, right? So try to make sure it goes as planned! This requires planning ahead. Here are a few ways to do it:
Know Thy Dog:
What kind of a dog do you have? Have you traveled with him before? What was it like? Some dogs love to travel. They welcome any opportunity to get in the car and go. However, others don’t. If your dog gets nervous in car rides, for example if he shakes or whines, vomits or chews his paws, take action before you go.
For example, once, when Berkeley was a puppy he threw up during a car ride. As a result, the Mooney’s veterinarian told them not to feed him breakfast the morning before they leave on a road trip. Now, with an empty stomach Berkeley is fine in the car. Plus, he is really excited to finally get his food once they arrive!
It is always a smart idea to visit your veterinarian before a trip. Your vet will have tips geared just for your dog. And if you have had a problem in the past, your vet will be able to talk with you to find a solution that works for you, your family, and your dog.
What to Bring:
Do you bring something special with you when you go on trips? A favorite stuffed animal, pillow, or even blanket? Just like you like having a familiar item with you when you travel, your dog does too. Bringing a familiar bone, bed, or toy helps your dog adjust to his new surroundings.
Remember to pack her food, a leash and collar, a bed or crate, and one or more of her favorite toys or blankets. If you have bought your dog a special crate or bed for the trip, make sure she gets used to it before you go. That way she will be more comfortable and relaxed traveling – often a unsettling time.
Also, don’t forget about her ID tag. The tag she wears on her collar is probably includes information about your home, like your home number and address. But what if she gets lost while you are away? Buy your dog a second ID tag to wear along with one she already wears. This one can includes a phone number where you will be or a cell-phone number where you can be reached while you are away.
Reservations:
Most likely your mom or dad will be handling the reservations, but you can double check by asking them if the train, airplane, or hotel knows that you are bringing your dog. Most forms of public transportation have rules about traveling with dogs, and it is a good idea to know what they are before you arrive. Otherwise your travel plans may be cut short! Many hotels welcome dogs, so be sure to figure out which ones they are if you are planning to spend the night somewhere on, or in the middle of, your trip.
Vaccinations and Health Certificates:
Make sure your dog is vaccinated and has up-to-date health forms. This is very important if you are planning to leave the US. Many countries won’t let your dog in unless you have the needed paper work. For example, the Mooney’s took Berkeley on a trip to Canada.
“We had to get [him] papers and shots for the trip,” says Grace. Just like you need a passport, your dog needs a certificate that she is healthy and has been vaccinated against diseases. You don’t want to show up at the border and have to turn around and go back home!
Travel By Car
Most dogs know when their families are going away on a trip. When the suitcase comes out of the closet your dog won’t leave your side, right?They have a nose that knows! Berkeley certainly does.
“He gets really excited before we go,” Grace says. “His breath gets really stinky.” Like most dogs, Berkeley is probably nervous that he will get left behind. For many dogs it is not until they get into the car, that they begin to relax. Grace says, “Once he’s [Berkeley’s] on the highway he sits and calms down.”
Berkeley is now used to car trips, but some dogs aren’t. If you are taking a trip for the first time, or a longer trip than you have before, go on shorter, or “practice”, car rides with the dog so she gets used to it.
Safety in the Car
A car can be a dangerous place for a dog. If the car stops suddenly and the dog is loose, she can hurt herself or a person in the car. It is important to keep both you and your dog safe. Your dog should either be in her crate, behind a gate in the back of the car, or even better, wearing a harness and a seatbelt.
No matter how long your car ride is, bring water for your dog. The excitement of a trip often makes a dog thirstier. If you see you dog panting a lot, offer her some water.
Just like you like to stop to stretch your legs or go to the bathroom, your dog does too. The Mooney’s make frequent stops – about every hour - to let Berkeley out to run around and go to the bathroom.
But, before you leave the car, have your dog’s leash ready so you can attach her before you open any doors. A nervous dog may try to jump out of a car door or even window if she is afraid.
Also, never leave your dog alone in a hot car. Many dogs have died from heatstroke when left in cars. This is especially true in the summertime. If you have to jump out for a few minutes to get some food, leave the windows open a few inches for cross-ventilation, but even then, don’t leave her for long.
By planning ahead and knowing what to expect, traveling with your dog can be easy. Although the Mooney’s have tried leaving Berkeley behind they love to have him come with them and they know that he is happier when he gets to come along, too.
“My grandparents love him,” says Grace. Berkeley loves them too. This is especially true because Grace’s grandparents have a swimming hole near their house.
“Berkeley loves to swim,” she says.
So when you head off this summer, don’t forget your dog!
A version of this piece was published in Dogs For Kids, Summer 2004
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