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TRAINING
THE NEW PUP
Let’s start out on our own literary journey down this freeway
of discovery and try to understand the many facets of successful traveling
with a dog. And the best place for us to start is with a puppy. If you
have an adult dog that has not traveled before, skip this puppy class and
proceed to ON THE ROAD.
Puppies are smart.
They just don’t know it yet. So you’ve got to show them how smart they
are by putting them through a few little practice sessions prior to show
time. Soon after you have that new pup home, spend some time in the car
with it while the engine is off and the car is parked. Tiny tidbits of
treats will assure the little rascal
that cars are a neat place for snacking. After a few practice
sessions, do the same routine with the engine running in a well-ventilated
area (NOT in the garage!) Do not get all excited about how great the
puppy is doing and be overly praising, if you do, your smart little pup
will think this car stuff is a big deal and we don’t want that. To a
dog, cars are just another area for snoozing or introspective world
watching. If you are quiet and passive the pup will take your lead and
learn to relaxed.
Gently speak to the pup.
Sit quietly and try to show the pup that being in the car is normal and
not a place for rope tugging, barking or games of “betcha-can’t-catch-me”.
You set the tone. If you have to assert yourself, do so. Command the pup
to sit and stay… then offering tiny rewards for being good will
reinforce the self-control. That smart little pup will begin to understand
what YOU want and expect. Remember that what you do now will set the stage
for years of happy traveling together.
Ok… so now after a few days of sitting in the parked car with the engine
running, it’s time to strike out on that long ribbon of highway that
leads right around the block and back into the driveway. The same rules
apply: Calmness and control shall prevail. This is a good time
to get the pup used to a restraining device that will secure the pup
comfortably in the seat and yet will allow adequate mobility. Any
signs that the pup wants to bark or climb through the window (they are
closed, right?) to greet those moving trees, busses and other living
creatures should be met with a firm command to "sit" and
"stay". Reward with a tiny treat. In the beginning keep
the trips short and be firm with your control of the situation. (Did
I mention that this takes two people? It’s preferable to
have a licensed driver at the wheel while you conduct riding etiquette
school.) If you have more than one puppy, do not try to teach them
both at the same time. Their attention will be directed toward each
other and not on you.
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ON
THE ROAD
The very first rule of
traveling with your pet is to have an ID tag or other means of
identification securely affixed to the dog. Thousands of dogs end up
in shelters simply because the owners never dreamed the dog would get
loose or become lost while on a trip. There are few disasters in a
person’s life that are worse than having to drive off without a pet
because every means of locating and recovery have failed. This kind
of tragedy will haunt you for the rest of your life; don’t let it
happen. Get an ID tag!
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Before you leave make
sure you consider the option of leaving your dog in a hometown kennel.
Most dogs love being in a kennel; there’s lots of activity, they get
special attention and in most cases consider a stay in the kennel like we
would a stay at the beach. Visit the local kennel and see what goes on.
Also there may be a Pet Sitter in your area who would tend your pets in
your own home.
In the following section
we’ll sample a few ideas that will help facilitate a safe and enjoyable
road trip. Make sure you know how your dog reacts to trips by taking
a number of local short trips, then if you need to take an “all-dayer”
you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. Any “all-dayer” is
just a bunch of short trips anyway. So, before you set off on that
cross country trip be sure that you are confident that you can predict how
your dog will behave.
MOTION
SICKNESS
Vomit happens. Sometimes even humans get carsick. Gradually accustom
the dog to spending time in the car with the engine off, then with the
engine on, then short trips, then the cross-country adventure. Prior
to a trip be sure the dog has been fed at least three hours before you set
off. You can also use anti-motion sickness medications to help
settle the stomach and prevent the sometimes prolific drooling that occurs
in a nauseous dog. Most medications are very safe antihistamines and
many dogs eventually can travel without the aid of medical assistance.
Just in case, bring a roll of paper towels.
Note: Motion
sickness or hyperactivity? Here’s the difference… dogs with
motion sickness are generally quiet and even a little depressed because
they feel awful. They will drool all over the place, maybe even pass
stool, and eventually start vomiting. Even with an empty stomach the
vomiting reflex can be very strong. These dogs will greatly benefit from
anti-motion sickness medication if it is given long enough in advance of
the trip to be working before the dog even suspects that a ride in the car
is imminent.
The dog that goes bonkers
when in a vehicle demonstrates hyperactivity. These dogs aren’t
sick, Salivating, panting, whining, jumping from front seat to back,
barking and trying to sit on the steering wheel are common characteristics
of the hyperactive canine traveler. If you must bring the hyperactive dog
with you, medication to sedate the dog will surely make the trip safer,
easier and less stressful for both the dog and the human.
THIS
DOG’S HYPER!
What do you do with the dog that simply cannot control itself once that
engine starts and the wheels begin to roll? If you have really tried
to train the dog to do as it is told but the motion and noise of traveling
are simply overpowering and turn your dog into slathering, panting, &
barking Call your veterinarian and describe the demonstration. Then
request medication that will the edge off. There are a number of safe
medications that will allow your dog to travel without all that stress,
noise and confusion. It will be a safer trip for both of you, not to
mention less stressful.
The key to successful use
of pre-trip medication is to administer it well before the trip starts. Be
nonchalant, sneak a little medication in a treat, and don’t mention the
car anywhere near the dog prior to your trip. If you believe your
dog may be a candidate for medication, be sure to do a leisurely pre-trip
trial well ahead of the time you REALLY need it. About one dog out of ten
will not respond well to a particular medication or a particular dose. You
do not want to find this out the morning of an eight-hour trip.
ATTENTION!
Yours should always be on the traffic, not on the dog. If your
traveling pal is a little dog, they usually will curl up next to you on
the seat and catch up on some sleep. Do not ever allow them to go
near the driver side floor where the brake and gas pedals are located. Big
dogs may be best situated in the back seat and then you can legally refer
to the dog as your navigator. If you choose not to use a seat restraint a
gate type barrier between the front and the back seats is a good idea to
prevent an unexpected visit from your traveling companion.
TRAVEL
CRATES
These inventions are very handy. Your dog, if happy and
comfortable in a crate, will be safer and you will have the peace of mind
knowing it is secure when you must leave your dog alone for short periods.
If you do use a crate, be certain that the dog is totally accustomed to it
well prior to the trip.
PLAN
AHEAD
Plan ahead… well ahead. If you know you will be staying overnight
somewhere, be sure to have reservations at an establishment that welcomes
pets. A handy list of “Pet Friendly” motels/hotels can be found if you
do a little searching.. And don't forget to bring along some
disposable "Scoop n Toss Bags"; you must be socially conscious
about where your dog chooses to relieve itself. Be prepared!
REST
AREAS
Make your timetable consistent with occasional stops along a side road
where your leashed dog can find relief. Many veterinarians do not
think the Rest Stations along the Interstates are a particularly sanitary
area for your dog. Not that you have to be fussy but why not select
an area that avoids conditions where dozens of dogs have already baptized
the environment? And be sure to have some “Pooper Pick-Ups” with
you so that in the event of an unexpected deposit in a public area, you
can perform the courteous cleanup
immediately.
FOOD
AND WATER
It wouldn’t hurt to pamper your pal… bring along your dog’s own food
and water from home and you will be better off. And a few old towels or
rags will make good cleanup devices if the dog happens to discover a mud
puddle or contacts something nasty. Emergency first aid kits are very
handy for you and the dog. Anti-itch medication, bandages, and antibiotic
ointments may save the day when you least expect something will go wrong.
It is a good idea to have your veterinarian give you a copy of the dog’s
medical history to take with you just in case a visit to a veterinarian
along the way becomes necessary.
LEASHES
Here’s a safety tip… Bring two leashes. That way you’ll have a
spare when you misplace one. Your dog MUST be on a leash whenever you are
in unfamiliar surroundings. All it takes is a split second for a
disaster to start its fateful chain of events. There are hundreds of
reasons why your dog has to be on a leash whenever you are not in your own
back yard. Travel crates, human versions of dens, make great
containment devices and many dogs enjoy hiding out in them while
traveling; bring one if your dog likes the security of a crate.
HEAT
STROKE!
Leaving a dog alone in a car has a number of potential risks. Always be
conscious of the effects of heat buildup in a parked car. It only
takes a few minutes for the internal heat to build up forty degrees above
the outside air temperature especially if direct sunlight bakes the car.
Be very cautious about leaving dogs unattended in parked cars. Heat stroke
is a dire emergency and one from which many pets do not recover. And you'd
be shocked to find out just how fast it can occur. If you ever find your
pet distressed from overheating in a vehicle, get to the nearest animal
hospital immediately... don't even call first; just GO! For minor
mishaps, having a First Aid Kit on hand for your journey may be your
wisest investment. And keep the phone number of your veterinarian
accessible just in case you need to refill a lost prescription or need
quick advice. Sadly, many pets are harmed every summer by
inattention to the very real dangers of heat stroke.
Don’t forget to bring along some fun toys
and tasty treats.
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Milo
Zoe