Hitting the road for your summer vacation? Is your dog giving you the sad eye while you pack? Well, instead of feeling guilty for leaving your furry baby behind, bring them along for the ride! That’s right, bring your pup along for the ride doesn’t have to be as hard as you think, you just have to plan ahead! With that being said, you can’t just throw your dog in the vehicle and hit the road. You have to take the time to get your pet used to the vehicle, as well as planning out stops for bathroom breaks and getting the proper crates and carrying systems to help keep your pet safe in the vehicle. But if you still have sometime before you leave and you’d like to bring your dog along for the ride, check out our helpful tips below! We have laid out things you should pack and do’s and don’ts! If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to answer them!

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Before you leave to make sure to pack;

Lead, Collar, Leash, and ID tag: The last thing you want to happen is your dog to get away in a place he doesn’t know, but be prepared for the worst. Make sure you have everything you’ll need to keep your dog from escaping, and everything you’ll need in case they do.

Food, water, bowls: Bring more than you think! The last thing you want to do on vacation is run to the grocery store to find dog food. Tell yourself the same thing you did when you overpacked clothes…YOU MIGHT NEED IT!

Blankets and baggies: Bring blankets for bedding, and warmth. Bring waste disposable bags for parking lot rest stops (You wouldn’t want to accidentally step in that, would you?).

Old washcloths: For those pups that get down in the dirt, don’t stress about your car seats, just bring washcloths to clean off messy paws

Crates and restraints: Some dogs love the car! They jump right in, stick their head out the window, and let their ears fly! But unfortunately, that’s not a good idea. Even if your dog is usually a happy traveler, it isn’t safe for them to roam freely throughout the car, in the case of an accident.

Never owned a crate before? Here are some tips!

• it should be large enough to permit the dog to stand up completely inside and turn around
• there shouldn’t be so much room that the dog can slide around inside in response to the car’s movements,
• well-ventilated, and structurally sound.

• securely fastened in place

The crate isn’t going to work for your dog? Try this out!

• A harness that is fastened to a seat safety belt
• It provides the dog some freedom but restrains the dog in an accident.
• Be sure to buy a harness that’s specifically designed to be used with safety belts.

Break time is important: You might down to take on a long drive little to no breaks but your dog isn’t. Plan on taking frequent stops like you would if you were traveling with a small child. Letting your dog out for potty breaks and to run around will burn off some pent-up energy, making you and your dogs ride my easier!

Check with the vet: If this is your dogs first trip you might want to talk to your vet and see if there is any medication that can help with motion sickness and anxiety.