CAR TRAVEL TIPS

1. Packing their suitcase: their food (bring extra just in case of emergencies); food and water bowl; leash and or harness; favorite toy(s); treats; and medications if needed. Before you leaving for your trip, be sure the rabies tag is up-to-date and you have an identification tag attached to the collar. Also bring ‘pooper scooper’ bags for areas that are not designated for dogs only. Fill up a 2-liter soda bottle or large juice container with water for your journey as well.

2. The last thing you want to do is have to clean up the nasty mess of diarrhea inside your car. And your puppy or dog can easily give you this headache when you do not stick to his regular feeding times and with his normal food. It is very easy to feed your dog inconsistently when you are making a long trip by car. However, it will be best for both of you if you bring along bags of his normal food and only feed him at the same time you would at home.

3. Although it is obvious that you do not plan on ever losing sight of your dog during your travels, you should still make sure that his collar is secured tightly with the updated identification tags. If for some reason you are making a temporary stay for more than a day at a location until you arrive at your final destination, add an additional identification tag that has the address and phone number of that temporary location. 4. When you make a pit stop along the way, always leash your dog before he gets out of the car and keep a tight grip on him. Because he is in unfamiliar territory and may scare easily, the instinct to dart and run off may be strong. Keeping him tightly leashed will prevent this nightmare from happening.

5. Try to avoid traveling by car during weather periods of extreme heat and high levels of humidity. Dogs do not do well in this type of climate and if you must travel when it's hot then be sure your vehicle is equipped with a dependable air-conditioning system. A good tip for a long travel day is filling up a bowl that has a tight fitting lid with ice cubes and during your stops, your pet will have fresh water.

6. Every time you stop for a break during the trip, make sure you give your dog a few moments to exercise. Take your dog for a short walk or run him around the block. This will help get his blood flowing so that he can relax better for the next few hours of the ride. (Don’t forget the pooper scooper bags!)

7. Last but not least, as much as it is common sense, do not keep your dog in your car with the doors locked and windows rolled up. This is just basic safety advice that every person should know already, but unfortunately there are many accidents where dog's die from heat stroke while sitting in a car during boiling hot weather.

Bring your camera and take lots of pictures for lasting memories.

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