According to a recent survey, 88 per cent of summer travellers will drive to their holiday destination and many will be bringing their four-legged friends along for the ride. But what can we dog owners do to make sure that Fido has a happy, healthy, and tail-wagging good time? I asked the dog behavioral experts from OneMind Dogs — a revolutionary dog teaching method out of Finland that's used by some of the world's top agility trainers — for some help and they offered these five tips:
TIP #1: ESTABLISH TRUST AND TAKE A JOY RIDE
Was your pup’s last 'road trip' to the vet? If so, chances are he’s going to get nervous when he hears your keys jingling. Before your trip, establish trust by taking him on a short ride to make the car feel familiar.
TIP #2: TURN CRATE TIME INTO A FUN GAME
Make sure your dog's travel crate is a safe and happy place. Feed him in the crate at home, or give him a bone to chew while he's in there, all while keeping the crate door open so he can come out when he wants.
TIP #3: CALM YOUR DOG WITH BODY LANGUAGE
If your dog is restless, act as normal as possible. Show him that everything is okay through your own actions, resisting the temptation to react to your dog’s nervousness. If you exude a calm attitude, your dog will follow suit.
TIP #4: BRING 'HOME' WITH YOU
Because dogs like familiarity, bring along your dog's blankets and favorite toys. Upon arrival at your destination, set up your dog's crate and food bowls, stick to a normal feeding schedule, and keep your walking routine.
TIP #5: REWARD GOOD BEHAVIOR
Stop often on your road trip to walk or play with your dog — it's easier for him to be calm when he's tired! It's even more important to reward your pup for good behavior by giving him treats and praising him in a calm, happy voice.
About the Author
Marc Atchison is a veteran journalist and a seasoned traveller with more than 20 years of travel writing experience. As the former Travel Editor of the Toronto Star, Canada's largest newspaper, and now Editor-in-Chief and Senior Writer for TraveLife magazine (Canada) and travelife.ca, Marc has been to over 100 countries in the world. Japan is one of his favorite destinations and he's been there on numerous occasions.