From quick trips to the park, to longer journeys to visit friends and family, even holidays abroad, one of the best things about sharing life with a dog is that they can come along on most adventures. With a little planning and preparation, travelling is fun and easy – for everyone.
Here’s our in-a-nutshell guide to happy adventures with your dog:
There are three very good reasons to avoid leaving dogs in cars:
Unfortunately some dogs are prone to travel sickness – just like some people. But there’s a lot you can do to help them feel more comfortable:
Some dogs are fearful or cars and travel. This can happen for lots of reasons – a bad experience in puppyhood, a lack of socialisation, even just associating the car with feeling sick. In mild cases, you can work through this using desensitisation and counter conditioning, perhaps with a calming supplement like YuCALM Dog. In more serious cases, it’s important to talk to your vet or behaviour expert, who’ll help you come up with a plan to help your dog become a happy traveller.
If you’re lucky enough to have recently welcomed a puppy to your family, it’s important to help them build a positive association with the car. Start with very short trips – 5 minutes or less – and make the experience positive. Gradually build up the time, and be sure to make destinations are always happy places. While dogs are young, it’s a good idea to avoid feeding them just before a car journey – take their food with you, and feed at your destination. As well as avoiding upset tums, it helps them associate cars with happy things (dinner time!)
Did you know that most UK train operators allow dogs for free – and cats in carriers? Of course, you’ll need to be considerate to other passengers and plan your journey to avoid rush hours, but travelling by train can be a great alternative if your dog isn’t keen on the car. Don’t forget to take a small water bowl and a bed or blanket for your dog curl up in on the floor – even though it’s tempting to snuggle up on the seat, the next passenger may not appreciate your dog’s hair on their clothes! Most bus companies take dogs too, though some charge a doggie fare.
Many taxi companies will arrange a pet friendly taxi – though taking your dog in a taxi may incur an additional charge. It’s best to phone and book, as taxi drivers aren’t obliged to take passengers with pets – only Guide Dogs – and you may struggle to find a dog-friendly driver on a rank.
Currently, your pet dog, cat or ferret can travel within the EU with you, as long a they’ve been microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and hold a Pet Passport. Find out more on gov.uk.uk.
So there you have it – all our top dog travel tips. We love to hear about your dogs and your adventures together, so please do leave a comment and tell us more about your travels with dogs.
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