Dogs love keeping a close watch on us and we, in turn, also love it when our pooches loyally remain by our sides. As a result, we typically think nothing of loading our best friends into our cars for a road trip, whether that be a cross-country trek or to the post office. It’s such a time-honored tradition that often we don’t realize some dogs experience difficulty when taking to the open road.
If your dog shows signs of getting carsick — or even if you’re just trying to get your dog or new puppy accustomed to riding in a car — the following tips will help everyone along for the trip have a more pleasurable experience.
Getting Warmed Up
Before even getting your dog into a car, think about what you and your pup need for a safe journey. First and foremost, your dog will need to be secured in the car to get her used to the concept before any actual driving. If she’s anxious about cars already or not used to riding in one she doesn’t need any surprises. In fact, that feeling of security will go a long way in relieving her stress.
There are numerous options for securing your dog, including special doggie seatbelts, booster seats and crates. Keep in mind that if you choose the crate route, you’ll need to secure it down so it doesn’t become a projectile during a sudden stop or in a crash. If there’s an accident, airbags can deploy and potentially cause serious injury to your dog if she’s sitting in the passenger seat. Turn off the airbag if your dog is riding next to you. Better yet, it’s a good idea to get your dog used to riding in the backseat, or, if you have an SUV or station wagon, the cargo area. (Note: Those crate bottoms sure can start to feel hard on a dog after a while. Make sure everything is nice and comfy by placing a cushion or favorite blanket on the bottom. Depending on the crate, you might even be able to have some sort of attached water container in there to keep her hydrated.)
When she’s okay with the idea of being secured, let her get used to the idea of a car. Like when she meets a new friend, she may need to sniff around a little bit, get used to sitting in the car and get accustomed to the surroundings. “Be sure to praise her profusely for all signs of being interested in and okay with the arrangement — give her little bits of something very special like low-fat, low sodium string cheese, freeze-dried liver, etc. Continue with the praise through all phases of travel training,” says Eugenia Vogel.
When she seems comfortable enough, when she hasn’t eaten for a few hours, take her on a short ride, like maybe around the block, and see how she responds. If she does well, reward her with a treat and praise. Eventually, you can begin to increase the distances you drive as she gets comfortable. “If she’s getting carsick — signs other than the obvious are drooling, whining, not settling down — make sure she’s contained so that she can’t see out the window,” Vogel says. “Motion sickness is caused when her view is not in sync with how she’s situated in the car. We can tell someone to look off into the horizon, but our dogs will look at just about any motion. So keep her lower than sight-seeing height.”
Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’
Once you’re on the move, remember to take it easy. A sudden stop, jerky accelerations, riding the brakes, quick hairpin turns and lightening speed are tough on a pooch’s tummy.
Take her places she wants to go, like a dog park, dog-friendly restaurant or a buddy’s house. Part of her anxiety may be related to associating car rides with places that frighten her, such as the veterinarian or possibly the groomer.
Make sure fresh air is circulating throughout the car’s cabin. Keep the windows cracked a little bit or make sure your dog is receiving the benefits of the air conditioner. Refrain from letting your dog hang out the window. Debris from the road can bounce up and injure her eyes. Also, if the window is down too low she can jump out or get thrown out. Hopefully, she’s safely and comfortably restrained anyway.
Long car rides are tough for everyone and dogs are no exception. For those extended trips, get in the habit of stopping every couple of hours so she can get out, stretch, drink some water, breathe some fresh air and go potty.
Vogel says to be sure to check on your dog frequently while on even a short trip for signs of motion sickness or stress. “Even true canine road warriors have been known to suddenly become ill, particularly older dogs,” she says. “If your dog has any health issues, please be sure to discuss travel with your veterinarian before putting her in the car for a ride longer than 15 minutes.”
PHOTOS: www.icanfixthis.com, www.detectovision.com
Category : Road Trips &TRAVEL TIPS
Comments