Holiday Car Travel Tips: Transporting Dogs

Dogs can get easily stressed when it comes to car travel, especially if your human family members and their luggage occupy most of the space. With a bit of extra attention, your pets can feel safe and comfortable during the long car trip.

When I helped my mother-in-law move five hours away, my car was full of her belongings. We made room for her mutt Data before we packed the rest of the car in, ensuring that no boxes would fall on him.

Safety First

By planning ahead with our packing, we ensured the dog's safety. I did a test drive alone around the block with a few abrupt stops to make sure nothing would fall on or near Data. We situated his crate so that my mother-in-law could easily remove him from the crate when we stopped or check on him in the cage without removing her seat belt while the car was in motion.

We knew that having the dog with us would make the trip a bit longer. (It took an additional 10-15 minutes per stop.) Transporting Data meant more bathroom stops and additional time getting in and out of the vehicle. Since non-service dogs aren't allowed in rest stop pavilions and it's unsafe to leave a dog unattended in a car, we took turns going into the rest stops.

Food and Drink

When it comes to food, dogs eat best on feeding schedules. We were sure to bring Data's usual bowls with us on the trip-he knew this signified that it was time for him to eat and drink. While car travel and the infrequency of rest stops made it impossible to adhere to his usual feeding schedule, we were conscientious about feeding him as close to his regular feeding schedule as possible. This also made it easy to predict bathroom breaks and avoid potty accidents in the car.

For longer trips, you can save time and frustration by:

• · Bringing pre-measured containers of food and water
• · Having healthy dog treats on hand in case you're unable to stop the car right at feeding time
• · Planning out which family member will safely walk the dog at rest stops
• · Adding extra time to your travel schedule to accommodate your dog's needs
• · Keeping your dog's medication in an accessible location

Rest Stop Etiquette

During highway travel, most of your dog's feeding and bathroom time occur at rest stops. Rest stop rules vary by individual location, so read all posted signage before allowing your pet outside of the car. The following rules always apply:

• · You must leash your dog
• · Pet owners are responsible for picking up and disposing of any pet waste (bring the baggies and hand sanitizer)
• · Aggressive animals must be muzzled
• · You may only walk your pet in a specified area

Failure to comply to these rules often results in one or more fines.

While joggers, neighbors and passers-by generally like to offer a friendly greeting to Data, we found that people traveling preferred to avoid dogs entirely. We were sure to respect others' space.

We also utilized the rest stop to exercise the dog.

Doggie Documentation

When traveling, don't forget doggie documentation. This includes dog tags, papers (indicating up-to-date shots) and a card with your dog's vet's contact information. We kept all of this in a handy folder. If you drive frequently with a canine passenger, it's a good idea to keep copies of your dog's paperwork in the car in case of a bite, runaway dog, auto accident or emergency.

If you're crossing border to or from your other country, you should have your pet crated at border crossing. His papers should be readily available; hand them over along with your passport and other identification. Note: Canada has different requirements for puppies and adult dogs; Ontario also has BSL (breed-specific legislation) that completely bans any dog that could be classified as a pit bull.

If your dog gets too stressed out during a car trip, it can lead to driver distraction for you and physical stress for your pet. If your dog doesn't usually calm down within a few minutes of being in the car, speak to your dog's qualified veterinarian before embarking on a long trip.