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Why Road Trips?
We always want to travel with our dogs! Unfortunately, air travel with pets is extremely inconvenient and downright dangerous if you have a medium to large sized dog that can’t fit at your feet on the plane. Because of this, our dog adventures are focused on road trips. Whether you love road trips or hate them, they are often the only way to safely bring your dog along with you. Let’s get ready to hit the road!
Planning ahead
Before hitting the road, there are a few items to consider. Whenever bringing your dog in the car, you likely will want to protect the seats in your car from any pet hair or damage. Also, consider that after you have completed your adventure, your dog will likely be dirty and/or wet – not exactly something that will add resale value to your car sitting in the back seat! We recommend that you install a seat cover/protector to protect your seats from damage. Depending on the model, you may also find that these covers can add comfort for your dog as well – this is particularly true for “hammock” models, which attach to the back of the driver and passenger front seats of the car. This hammock style prevents your dog from falling off the seat onto the ground. If you are on a budget, tucking a few towels into the seat cushions will likely work fine. If you are looking for a longer term or more premium solution, there are several companies that make seat covers specifically for dogs. Before heading out, you will also want to make sure that you have packed enough water and food for your dog. Your dog will probably want to drive water during a longer drive, so keep an extra water bowl on hand.
On the Road
You may find that this is the fun part for your dog! Many dogs love car rides because of all of the new sights and smells to take in. The start of a car ride can spark anticipation of good things to come – whether it’s a local dog park, visiting people in another city, checking out a park, going for a swim, or even just stopping at a restaurant drive through! It’s also possible that your dog may be afraid of the car either because of it’s size or any loud noises. If that’s the case, you will want to focus on keeping your dog relaxed and comfortable. For anxious dogs, it may be beneficial to give them some CBD dog treats about 30 minutes before the start of your trip. It may also help to bring along a pillow or other toys that your dog enjoys to keep them calm during the drive. Making sure that you give your dog a chance to walk around outside and use the bathroom every few hours on a long trip will also help keep them relaxed and enjoying the trip.
We will be following up on this post with some specific ideas for your next roadtrip. In the meantime, let us know where you are going! We love to hear about your dog adventures!