May 2010
Plan Ahead ~ Plot rest stops along the way while traveling with your dog, and plan to stop every 3-5 hours to allow your dog to relieve himself, drink water and stretch his legs (more or less depending on your dog’s needs). Make a list of several veterinary hospitals that are easily accessible from your route, preferably within one hour’s drive from any given point. Check that they will be open during your travel. Most of this information may be gathered on the internet.
Crate / kennel , Collar & Leash, Water and Bowls, Dog Food, Treats, One or two toys, Blankets and/or dog bed, Bags to pick up waste, First Aid Kit, Grooming supplies, if necessary, medications, if applicable. Your dog’s medical records (including vaccine history)
Health Certificate (obtain from your vet).
Start your trip with a healthy pet ~ Check in with your veterinarian at least one week before you begin your trip to be sure your pet is healthy and all vaccinations are current. Your vet can also alert you to any special problems that may exist in the area you are planning to visit like heartworm or tick medication.
Be sure to pack all the paperwork ~ Be sure to have a current health certificate, license and proof of all vaccinations. Bring along your vet's phone number-it's a lot easier (and cheaper) to call your vet with a non-emergency concern than to try to find a local vet who doesn't know your dogs.
Have your pet wear identification at all times ~ Your pet's I.D. tags should include your name, address, and phone number, and if you are staying somewhere for a while, add a local phone number where you can be reached in case you are separated from your pooch. Pack a recent photo of your dog too, just in case.
Make sure your dog is travel-worthy ~ Not all dogs are natural-born travelers. It's best to get your dog accustomed to riding in a car at a very young age, but even older dogs can adapt. Take them on short trips (10-15 minutes) to the store or to a park for a game of fetch. Make it fun and part of your usual routine. Gradually lengthen the drives so your dog is in the car for a few hours. Try very hard to avoid having your dog's first car adventure be a trip to the vet!
Keep your dog cool and comfortable ~ If you are traveling by car, always keep a car window open so your pet has fresh air and when you park, try to find a nice patch of shade and don't leave your dog in the car unattended for long periods of time.
Plan ahead for all travel accommodations ~ This is especially important during peak travel times when motels, hotels, and campgrounds fill up quickly. Many accommodations do not accept pets and some that do have only a limited number of rooms available to pet owners. If you are planning to fly with your pet, you should make reservations at least 3 months prior to your journey since many airlines limit the number of pets flying on each plane (both in the cabin and in the hold).
Make sure your dog is well-trained before taking them on the road ~ Please be sure your dog has learned the basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and quiet before you embark on a trip of any length. This is necessary for your dog's safety and for your own sanity.
Keep your dog leashed whenever possible ~ Many places require this anyway, but keeping your pet on a leash is the best way to prevent runaway dogs. In fact, even before you get your dog out of the car, it's best put him on a leash so he doesn't leap out of the vehicle ahead of you and dash off to investigate some tantalizing aroma.
Clean up after your dog-please! No one actually likes this task but it is necessary. The more people pick up after their dogs, the more welcome all dogs will in public places.
Try to create a traveling environment that is as close to home" as possible ~ This means trying to feed your dog the same food at the same time you feed them at home. Also if you pet sleeps in a crate at home, bring it along. If he doesn't have a crate, bring an old blanket or large towel to create a designated pet area in your sleeping quarters.
Planning Your Vacation
Make Sure Your Pet Is Identified
Pets can lose their collar and in many cases their "identification" along with it.Tags can fall off. Consider having a microchip placed for permanent identification. A tag is very important if your dog is hit or runs away. It is the best and fastest way to get you in touch with your pet in the case of an emergency.
