If you’ve ever travelled with a dog before, then you’ll know it can be a stressful experience. Whether you weren’t able to arrange a suitable dog-sitter or you simply can’t bear to be without your furry friend, travelling with your dog can ease a lonely journey, but it can also be difficult depending on what happens along the way. Luckily, there are things you can do to make travelling with your best canine pal a little easier, both for you and for them. Here are 9 tips to keep your dog calm when travelling.
1. Always make sure everything is dog-friendly
Before you book anything – whether it’s a travel method, a tourist attraction, or accommodation – make sure that it’s dog-friendly first. You can’t simply make the assumption that whatever you do will be appropriate for your furry friend. Many hotels don’t allow dogs, for instance, and lots of tourist attractions won’t let you take your dog inside with you. It’s not acceptable to leave the dog tied up outside, so make sure you’ve asked the important questions before you book.
2. Play your dog some music on your trip
Whether you’ve found a pet-friendly flight or you’re travelling by ferry, hopefully you’ve managed to secure a dog-appropriate means of conveyance to your destination. The journey itself can be pretty stressful, though, and playing your dog some music can help to ease that stress. What’s the best type of music to play? Well, according to research undertaken by Betway online casino, that would be folk music! You can also play jazz or classical music to ease your pooch’s worries.
3. Make sure your dog has adequate food and water
Many places will have dog bowls outside with water in them when the weather is hot, but ultimately, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your dog is well-fed and hydrated. Always carry dog treats and water with you if your dog needs it. Overheating can be a serious problem, and if you’re going to be somewhere without dog facilities for a while, then having food for your dog is imperative. The last thing you want is for your best friend to go hungry.
4. Talk to your dog
It might sound silly (but then again, it might not), but talking to your dog is a great way to ease their worries. If you’ve had your dog for a while, the sound of your voice is likely to be soothing and helpful to them when it comes to relaxing. Tell them everything’s going to be alright and they’re going to have fun on the trip. Of course, they won’t understand the content of your speech, but they should respond to the tone of your voice, so you’re still having a positive effect on them.
5. Acclimatise your dog to cars
It’s also a good idea to get your dog used to being in cars, especially if you’re going to be driving a lot on your trip. Make sure to take your dog with you if you go out in the car. Take them for walks in parks that are just a little further away, so that they can ride with you to the destination. This way, when you go on holiday and you have to drive to the airport or the ferry terminal, the dog will already know what’s going on and won’t feel worried or scared by the car journey.
6. Supply your dog with plenty of toys
Playing with your dog on a regular basis is already very important for their development and health, but this goes double when it comes to going on holiday. Making sure they have their favourite toys with them will give them a little piece of home; the toys will smell like something they’re used to, which should calm them a little during more stressful moments. Consider buying them some new toys as treats, too – this will distract them from travelling!
7. Stop if your dog is getting antsy
This is difficult to do if you’re travelling by plane or any other mode of public transport, but if you’re driving to your destination, be sure to make regular stops so your dog can rest and recharge. Sometimes, you may notice that your dog is becoming antsy and restless; they might be barking a lot, or trying to move, or whining. If any of this happens, it’s important to try to stop as soon as you can so that your dog can stretch their legs and get ready for the rest of the journey.
8. Keep the windows open
Again, this one is going to be more difficult if you’re travelling by air, for instance, but you should try to make sure your dog has a constant supply of fresh air. This will help them to feel less stifled; after all, when you’re in the car for a protracted period of time, you may feel like you need air, so why should they be any different? If you absolutely can’t open any windows, then try fanning your dog or making sure they’re kept cool some other way if you can.
9. Keep your dog buckled up
If you let your dog run wild – whether it’s on a plane or on a ferry, or any other mode of transport – then you may meet with the ire of the staff, and you may even be fined depending on the travel company’s rules. However, it’s also a good idea to buckle your dog up for comfort reasons. Many dogs like to be secured and strapped in so that the movement of the car bothers them less. Of course, you’ll know whether this applies to your dog or not better than anyone else does.
