How to take a road trip with your dog
Taking your dog on a road trip? Follow the tips in my video to ensure you have a successful and fun roadie!
Research your route and final destination
There are a lot of dog friendly hotels, rental houses and campsites but you’ll need to double check if your dog will be welcome and at what cost.
Some places charge extra per night, some charge a large deposit and some don’t charge anything extra at all.
Plan out your route to ensure there are some dog parks to visit or dog friendly trails you can hike.
Depending on the age of your dog (and their ability to hold their bladder) you may need to plan multiple potty breaks.
Ensure pup is up to date on vaccinations, flea and worming medication and ask your vet if pup will need extra vaccinations specific to your destination, especially if you’re crossing regions or borders.
Pack your dog’s gear. You’ll need:
Food, water & bowl
Toys
Leash, collar, ID tag
Bed or crate so they have somewhere they’re comfortable and familiar with.
Medication and first aid kit
Grooming supplies and a couple of extra towels in case they vomit in the car or roll in something stinky.
Teach your dog these commands before you go
Sit
This simple command can be used in so many situations, from showing how polite they are when greeting strangers (like hotel staff) to preventing them from running off.
On your bed/on your mat
This command teaches your dog to enjoy their mat or their bed and gives them somewhere to go when they’re feeling anxious or you need them to stay out of the way while you’re busy.
It also comes in handy to prevent your dog from stealing food off the BBQ or picnic rug.
Go Potty
Just because your dog is fully potty trained at home, does not mean they’ll understand what to do in a new place. Teaching your dog to pee and poop on command will help them get it right in their new environment.
Plus teaching them to go potty on command means they’ll understand your command and know what to do, even if they’re feeling anxious. Your dog is taking in things that you can’t even hear, smell or see and this can be overwhelming.
When dogs are stressed out they aren't usually comfortable toileting, so they’ll wait until they’re back in the safety of your room, house or tent to let it all out.
Avoid extra cleaning (and cleaning fees!) by putting “go potty” on command.
If you’re not sure how to do this, you can download my free Puppy Potty Training Guide here.
Expect that your roadie may cost a bit more and it may take a bit longer to reach your destination but you and your dog will have so much fun!
