Families and individuals who travel or move frequently must consider special issues when buying or owning a dog. Dogs need to be accustomed to a crate and car travel from an early age. Air travel requires preplanning and incurs additional expense. Reputable boarding kennels (or willing friends) must be found if the dog stays home while you are away. While a number of pet-friendly hotels and motels have opened, making travel with your four-legged friend easier, effective training is still required to ensure that your dog remains disciplined and calm in novel situations.
While most dog owners find travel and boarding issues manageable, pre-planning, preparation and patience will ease the process considerably.
CRATES
The earlier you begin preparing your dog for travel, the easier it will be. The first step involves acclimating the animal to a crate (which can also be used as an effective training method; see related article). Most experts recommend buying a crate that will accommodate the dog when it is full-grown, rather than introducing the dog to a new crate every few months. Dogs make the crates their own by spreading smells and dislike new crates that lack these scents. Estimate the size of your dog at full size (based on the general standard for the breed) and find a crate with the following dimensions: it should be about 25% longer than the length of the dog, twice as wide and twice as high. The dog should be able to turn around inside the crate, but not move too freely. It should have plenty of openings for air and a place to provide fresh water. The door and any attaching screws should secure firmly. "Live Animal" and "This Way Up" stickers should be attached to the outside.
In order to accustom your dog to its crate, place familiar toys inside. First, let it wander in and out freely with the door wide open. Offer plenty of praise for spending time inside and make it fun by playing around the crate. After a week or so, you can begin closing the door for brief periods of time. Do not let the dog out because it whines, barks or scratches. Instead, praise it for good behavior and open the door when the dog is calm and quiet. A worn T-shirt can provide the comfort of your smell and may calm the dog.
While some people believe that the use of crates is confining or cruel, most experts agree that it draws on a dog's natural instinct to live in dens and lairs. As long as the crate is personal (not shared or sanitized) and used for reasonable periods of time (no more than eight hours), dogs can happily adapt to this private space. In fact, many crate-trained dogs will choose to spend time inside it when given the opportunity at home. For people who wish to travel by air, crates provide the only permissible way of transporting an animal. In cars, crates and restricting bars across the back seat remain the most feasible methods of safely moving your pet.
TRAVELING WITH PETS
When you plan your next vacation, consider whether your dog would be a welcome addition to the travel party. Depending on the type of trip you plan, canine companionship may enhance your experience. Dogs succeed on trips that focus on outdoor and private activities, such as biking, hiking, camping and family visits. Vacations that focus on site-seeing or indoor activities, such as visiting historic sites or museums, should probably not include pets.
Once you decide to bring the dog on vacation, you must explore travel and lodging options. If you travel by air, you will need to make special arrangements for a ticket and veterinary checkup. A growing number of hotels and motels welcome pets, but they usually fill quickly. Despite their willingness to board your dog, there may be restrictions in public areas or around the pool. If you plan to vacation at a campground, learn about the pet restrictions in that area. You should also become familiar with simple safety precautions that protect your pet from wild animals or other natural threats.
Before you leave for the trip, pack all of the items you will need to care for and entertain your dog. Bring a leash and collar, tags, food and water bowls, blanket and grooming kit. Pack enough prescription medication or treatments to last the duration of the trip, as well as a first aid kit for minor accidents. Given all of the changes and new experiences involved in a trip, try to maintain as many familiar experiences for the dog. Bring its regular food and bowls, plus toys that create a sense of being at home.
No matter how you travel, a crate is an important tool. It provides safety for the dog while traveling in the car, is necessary for air travel and provides a safe and convenient way to leave the dog alone (when you go to a restaurant, for example). Leaving any dog in an unfamiliar place poses some risk to the dog and the room. Both your pet and the hotel/motel staff will appreciate the good sense of using a crate.
Solid obedience training eases travel woes. Dogs that jump on people, bark excessively or run wildly are rarely welcome in public places. If your dog has earned an obedience or good citizen award, inform the hotel/motel staff. These certificates may alleviate concerns and earn your dog special privileges. Keep the dog on a short leash when you visit indoor or public places. Keep the dog crated when it is alone. If you have been slack in enforcing good discipline and behavior, practice with your pet in the weeks before the trip or take a refresher obedience course.
Under the right circumstances, traveling with your pet can be a painless and enjoyable experience. Exuberant canine behavior can contribute to the fun and relaxation of a trip. As long as you follow some common-sense guidelines and prepare thoroughly, you and your pet can enjoy the travel experience together.
TRAVELING BY CAR
As with many new experiences, puppies that travel by car from an early age adjust more rapidly and easily. For everyone's safety, start by equipping the car with a "grill" or a crate. Grills extend across the back seat and prevent the dog from moving too freely in the car. In the beginning, make short trips that end at a desirable location (the park, for example). By making the trip fun for the dog, it will welcome, rather than fear, excursions in the car. Try playing with it quietly during the ride. Always give the dog the opportunity to eliminate before taking a trip; during lengthy trips, stop regularly for the dog to stretch.
Some dogs become nauseous or extremely agitated during car rides. If slow acclimation to this form of travel does not seem to alleviate the problem, consult a veterinarian for advice. Sometimes prescription drugs can help, but they must be recommended by a doctor. Canine sedatives and human products can be very dangerous, or even fatal, to a dog. Do not soothe a sick dog excessively, since this reaction rewards unwanted behavior. Open a window or run air through the vents to relieve car sickness.
When you leave a dog in a car alone, be absolutely certain that it will not suffer from heatstroke in your absence. Open a window for air and evaluate the temperature outside. The glass on the car acts like a greenhouse, raising the temperature inside dramatically. Even on a cool day, a car in the sun can still become extremely hot. Place the car in the shade if possible and leave water or ice cubes for the dog to drink. Even under the best circumstances, never leave your dog in the car for a long period of time. Riding in the back of a pickup truck is also exceedingly dangerous. Any small accident will likely be fatal for the dog, which can be easily thrown from the vehicle.
For most dogs, car adventures create a great amount of excitement. Many of them love to put their noses out the window and watch the activity go by. In addition, a thrilling new place awaits them on the other side. Given all of the advantages of car travel, you will find that most dogs adapt to it easily.
TRAVELING BY AIR
The best way to prepare your dog for air travel is to properly acclimate it to a crate. All airlines require that your dog fit inside a properly sized crate that is safe and secure. Nearly every airline requires that your dog receive a veterinarian's certificate of good health within two weeks of the travel date. These schedules may differ, however, and you should ask for the requirements before booking the flight. The cost for dog flights can depend on destination and size, but generally runs between $50. and $100. Fly nonstop whenever possible and consider purchasing travel insurance. Never fly with an airline that does not offer this option. Ask for printed material regarding pet flight policies. Airlines that can provide pamphlets with specific information usually care for your pets well.
On travel day, avoid feeding your dog too much food and give it a chance to eliminate immediately before entering the crate. Allow extra time at the airport for check-in. Check the security of the bolts and doors and provide fresh water in a drip bottle that your dog can access during the flight. A familiar toy or used article of clothing provides comfort to the dog. Place "Live Animal" stickers on the crate and a piece of tape on top with the name of the dog, your name and phone number. It is not necessary too tranquilize or sedate most dogs.
No matter how well you prepare, dogs in certain situations should avoid air travel (and may even be banned temporarily by some airlines). Pregnant females, females in heat and very young puppies (less than six to eight weeks old) should avoid traveling by plane if possible. If your dog is extremely old, weak or ill, consult with your veterinarian on the safety of a long plane trip.
If you plan to travel to another country, additional issues may arise. Make sure that the destination welcomes foreign animals and learn if any vaccines or quarantines are needed. You will almost certainly need certificates and documents from your veterinarian before you travel. Learn which papers are required and obtain them before your departure date.
As air travel with dogs has become more common, most owners find the entire routine simple and safe. With a little preparation, you and your dog will likely find air transportation an easy and effective travel method.
BOARDING A DOG
As much as you may want to travel with your dog, there are times when this option does not exist. If your travel plans take you to indoor sites (meetings, museums, etc.) or out of the country, canine company is probably not a wise choice. In these situations, you must find a way to board your dog, and several options exist.
Lucky owners often find capable friends who are willing to house and dog sit while you travel. Dogs often prefer this scenario, since they can remain at home in a comfortable routine. Be certain that your friend has the necessary skills and knowledge to care for a dog and is fully prepared to handle emergencies. Leave the phone numbers for a veterinarian, animal hospital and poison control center with them and review emergency procedures before you leave. Verify that there is enough available food and that all dog equipment (leash, collar, etc.) is working properly. It will help to accustom your dog to the dog sitter before you leave. Invite him or her to visit with you and the dog. Trips to the park provide a playful setting to introduce new people, but they should also come to your home so that the dog relaxes its natural instinct to protect the homestead.
While you are away, call often to make sure that no questions or problems arise and leave your current number whenever possible. When you return home, be sure to compensate the pet-sitter for any unexpected expenses. If a friend is not available, professional sitting services now exist. Veterinarians can usually make a recommendation. Be sure to ask a lot of questions about the way the service works (part-time or full-time), how the sitters are trained and how much it costs. Fees are generally reasonable, but be certain there are no hidden costs.
Dogs can also be boarded outside your home. Some veterinarians and veterinary hospitals offer boarding services, but kennels remain the most common place to leave your pet. Your dog must be fully vaccinated before being boarded. It is important to adapt your pet to these novel situations slowly. From a young age, let the pet spend a single night at the veterinarian's or a kennel so that it can adjust without experiencing anxiety or distress.
As longer visits to the kennel become necessary, you will need to research the requirements and services. There are a number of clues that indicate you have found a competent place. Scheduled visits to the dog and its quarters at any time will be permitted by a reputable service. The kennel should look clean and smell fresh. There should be adequate light, air and temperature control. Long, outdoor leads indicate that your pet will be well-exercised in your absence. The staff should appear friendly, willing to answer questions and kind to the animals. Ask how often they will walk the dog. Individual quarters should be clean, secure and safe, with plenty of room to house the animal. Kennels should not face each other head to head, as this set-up can promote the spread of disease. There is no reason that dogs and cats cannot board together, and in some cases this arrangement helps prevent the spread of disease. The American Boarding Kennels Association (Colorado Springs, CO) is a nonprofit group that maintains high standards of operation. You may want to choose accredited members of the association who have passed inspection and met the standards.
There are certain things that a competent kennel should ask of you. They should insist on vaccination certificates and request information about the feeding and medical needs of your pet. They may want to know about toys, sleeping arrangements, special preferences and dislikes. The kennel should ask for emergency numbers, including a veterinarian and your travel numbers.
You will find that travel anxiety is alleviated when competent pet care has been arranged in advance. Take time in the beginning to find and research a quality service, either in-home or out. This early effort will reward you in the long run with good care, convenience and peace of mind.
