On-the-Road-Again; Traveling with Dogs
by Tonya Jensen
One fact is certain, if you own a dog sooner or later you will
find the dog traveling with you. You dog's safety and comfort
is as important as that of the humans. I do not fly with my dogs
so will leave that discussion to those who have experience. I
do have my dogs with me in the car everyday, sometimes for short
trips and sometimes for marathon drives. I will share with you
the equipment and practices we use to make traveling with our
dogs an enjoyable experience for all.
Safety and Comfort First
Safety and comfort begins with equipment. Dogs should ALWAYS
be restrained when riding in a vehicle. A loose dog can become
a projectile in the case of sudden stops, not only a danger to
the dog but to passengers as well. A loose dog can be a distraction
to the driver. There are various methods of restraint:
Let's Talk About Crates
Crates come in various styles. The style you choose depends largely
on the size and temperament of your dog. The type of activity
you enjoy with your dog will also be important in your choice.
The picture on the left shows the various types of crates and
X-pen with a top. I will discuss these further in the article.
Wire Crates
Wire
crates are often used by people that want to leave a crate permanently
in their cars. These crates can be secured to the car's floor
and save the extra effort of moving a crate in and out of the
car for each trip. A variation of the wire crate is a folding
wire crate which can be removed from the vehicle and moved to
another location more easily than a crate that does not collapse.
The advantages of a wire crate are strength and excellent ventilation.
To conserve on expenses, some wire crates come with dividers
that can be placed in the crate to make a small space available
to the dog during puppyhood and removed as the dog reaches maturity,
i.e., no need to buy different crates as the dog grows.
Airline Crates
Airline
crates offer multiple uses. They can be secured on a car seat
with a seat belt. They are portable and they can be used for
airline travel. Airline crates are easily stacked when there
is need to conserve room. They are lighter weight than wire crates.
The disadvantage to airline crates is that the ventilation is
limited.
Airline
crates secured with bungees to the car body. The
three bottom crates are medium size (17"W x 16"L x
18"H) Pet Dens from Dr. Foster and Smith.
Because
they are narrower than most airline crates, it is possible to
fit six of this brand in the back of a mini van. This brand features
foot locks on the top to facilitate stacking.
Airline Crate with foot locks for stacking (shown on the left).
Soft or Canvas Crates
Soft
or canvas crates collapse, are light weight, and provide good
ventilation. These are wonderful for use outside your vehicle.
There are some concerns to consider if choosing a soft crate,
your dog's temperament (is he/she likely to tear the fabric and
escape), and they are more difficult to secure in a vehicle.
Be sure when using a soft crate outside a vehicle to stake the
crate to the ground, exuberant dogs can move these crates. I
watch a dog roll a soft crate to get where he wanted to be, comical
to watch but not really funny, he could have been seriously hurt.
Folding Soft-Krate (shown on the right) has ventilation on
all sides. Access to crate is from the front, one side, and the
top. Side curtains close to provide shade or insulation on cold
days.
Flip Crates
Flip
crates (as seen on the left) are compact, inexpensive, and easy
to transport. These are not for active dogs and like the soft
crates, must be secured to the ground, they are so light weight
that a strong gust of wind can send them sailing. (I keep a flip
crate in my car just in case I need an emergency crate. I have
never used it.)
Crates provide the additional advantage of being a home away
from home, a secure, comfortable, and familiar place for your
dog while providing him with a bit of stability in unfamiliar
surroundings. If you dog has been crate trained to begin with,
he will be most comfortable traveling in his crate.
Other Ideas for
Containment
Seat belts or harnesses for dogs are handy for those with vehicles
that will not accommodate a crate. These may be purchased at
any pet supply.
Vehicle Barricades
Barricades (as seen on the left) come in a variety of styles
and are often the choice of people with SUVs. These barricades
fit between the passengers and the dog. They come in a variety
of styles, mesh, metal, and wire mesh. Remember, behind such
a barricade your dog is still a potential projectile. Additionally,
in the case of accident or just opening of a car door, the dog
has instant access to escape.
Hint: When we used a barricade for our three
dogs, sometimes tiffs would erupt between the dogs behind the
barricade. In traffic it was impossible to intervene so I carried
a small "Sports Marine Big Horn." One quick blast ended
the misbehavior quickly.
X-pens
X-pens
allow your dog to have a safe space outside his/her crate. Care
should be used to secure x-pens to the ground with stakes. A
top must be provided if your dog is a climber. Soft or wire x-pen
tops are available. I've seen Farmdogs easily climb out of 3-4'
x-pens. Several x-pens can be combined to create more space.
X-pens are available in wire or soft styles.
Tie Downs
Tie
downs (shown on the left) can be important if there is no safe
enclosed area for your dog to be off leash. In some states it
is illegal to leave a dog in tie down without supervision.
One type of tie down is a simple device that is screwed into
the ground. These are intended for single dog tie outs. These
may be purchased at any pet supply.
A 5" carabineer makes an excellent handle for your dog
leash and can be quickly snapped onto a chair, fence or small
pole if you need to temporarily restrain your dog. These can
be purchased at Home Depot in the garage storage solutions department.
A steel cable system can be put together with items from your
local hardware store. I have used two 10' cables hooked together
to form a restraint large enough to encircle a fairly large tree.
With the addition of carabineer hooks, multiple dogs can be tied
down by hooking their leashes in the carabineers. This arrangement
allows the dogs to have movement anywhere in the vicinity of
the tree.
Note: Dogs should never be tied down and left
unsupervised.
Remember
- No matter what type of restraint/confinement you use, it
must be secured!
- In vehicles be sure to place crates so they are easily
accessible should you need to reach your dog quickly.
- In vehicles be sure your crate is placed so that the dog
has plenty of air circulation.
- Never, ever allow your dog to ride on the driver's lap.
- Never, ever allow your dog to hang his/her head out the
window, there is a great chance the dog could receive serious
eye damage from road debris or even fall out the window if
lower to much.
- In some states it is illegal to travel with an unrestrained
dog in an open truck bed.
- In some states, it is illegal to leave your dog in an
unattended vehicle.
- Be sure to get your dog out frequently for exercise and
potty breaks.
- Be familiar with local ordinances where ever you travel.
There are now locations in the USA where you cannot travel
with some breeds, or travel through or visit with intact
dogs.
- Make sure your dog is vaccinated for diseases or insect
bite concerns that are prevalent in areas you are visiting.
If your dog will be kenneled anytime during your trip, Bordatella
vaccination may be required.
Travel Leashes, Collars and
Accessories
While no special leashes or collars are required for travel,
some leashes/collars or accessories may provide some travel conveniences.
An excellent long line is the Gripper Leash.
The leash is a woven fabric leash with rubber woven through the
leash. It is strong and not likely to slip through your hand
causing a skin abrasion. The rubber reinforcement helps eliminate
tangling.
Gripper Leashes also makes a short round leash that will fit
around your waist. It can be easily unhooked from the dog's collar
to give your dog off leash time then snapped around your waist
to leave your hands free.
Gripper Leashes may be purchased at http://www.gripleash.com.
Another handy leash is the Quick Draw leash. "The
Quick Draw Leash allows off-leash freedom with the security
of a short restraining leash. Just clip the Quick Draw into
your dog's existing collar and wrap it around his neck. When
safety concerns or leash laws demand, pull the grab tab to
release the short restraining leash. When it's no longer needed,
wrap the leash around the collar and secure it to itself with
the hook-and-loop closure." See or purchase Quick
Draw leashes from Ruff Wear at http://www.ruffwear.com.
Visiglo illuminated safety LED and glowing collars and
leashes make your dog more visible at night. These may be seen
and purchased on the Visiglo Web site at http://www.atomicpet.net/about-Visiglo-lighted-dog-collar.html.
The following are three of several interesting safety products
that you might investigate at the It's A Dog's Light Web site.
(http://www.itsadogslight.com/index.htm):
- LED safety lights that attach to your dog's
collar are extremely efficient and provide a durable light
source compared to typical light bulbs. A non-flashing wide
beam of light allows your dog to be seen more easily from a
distance. The key ring connector attaches the light to your
dog's collar. As your dog moves about, the light swings from
side-to-side improving your dog's visibility from every direction.
- Dyna-Lite USB light is rechargeable via
your computer's USB port in about 30 minutes. Charges last
about 1.5 hours. The beam can be constant or flashing. This
light attaches to your dog's collar via a carabineer hook.
- SEA DOGGR® High Visibility Buoyant Swim
Collar helps your dog's head stay above water and for extra
visibility out in the water.
GPS collars are now available for dogs. Visit Dog Power for
the PetSafe GPS dog collar at http://www.dog-power.com/cart.php?target=category&category_id=277.
Records and Identification
Always
carry your dog's licensing information, medical records (especially
shot records, contact information, insurance papers, a signed
release for medical treatment of your pet and a photo. These
records will help with recovery of a lost animal or may prove
life saving in the event of a veterinary emergency, especially
if the humans are incapacitated at the same time.
If your dog has conditions that require lifetime medication,
be sure that there is a supply of appropriate drugs available.
In our crate ID packets, I include a training record and description
of each dog's diet, and behavior traits. I received this advice
from a volunteer that rescues animals when there has been an
accident and the owner is not able to care for the pet at that
time. If a rescuer has a complete picture of your dog, it not
only helps formulate a plan for that dog, it helps if new permanent
placement is needed.
Note: some
animal control agencies will not return a pet unless you can
produce a photo.
Dog tags are still the first place people look when they find
a dog. Be sure your dog's tags are current and readable. In addition
to your regular dog tags, have a tag made for your trip with
the information about where you are staying and with alternate
contact information. Be sure one tag has your cell phone number
on it, a call to your home in Tim Buck Too will do no good if
you have traveled far from your home.
Micro chips may be registered with multiple recovery agencies
regardless of the brand of your dog's chip. Do this---there are
still many areas that do not have universal chip readers. You
can register with Home Again Recovery at http://public.homeagain.com/.
You can register with AKC-CAR, Companion Animal Recovery at http://www.akccar.org/.
You may have to pay a fee when you register--a small price when
it comes to recovering you pet.
Water
Always provide clean fresh water for your dog. When traveling
be sure to take water from home or use bottled water. No matter
how good the water supply as you travel, change of water can
cause upset stomachs, even diarrhea.
There are many types of water bowls/containers that adapt well
to travel; Buddy non-spill bowls, Lix-it bottles, portable and
disposable bowls, bowls and buckets that attach to crates. In
the photos are examples of some.
This
is a close up view of soft crate water bowl. The cup twists off
and can be removed without removing the attachment are from the
crate. Arm folds flst so it won't interfer with folding the crate.
Water bowl for collapsible crates. My dog won't drink out of
plastic so I set a stainless pail in the cup. Bowl attaches to
an upright crate support pole.
Food
If you feed kibble or canned dog food, there will be no need
to adjust for travel. If you feed a natural diet and don't have
refrigeration available some products that travel nicely are
Honest Kitchen dehydrated products, Tripett green lamb tripe,
and round-up/roll-ups such as Natural Balance. Each of these
are complete diets.
Before
a trip I premeasure the needed amount of Honest Kitchen into
snack-size closable baggies. All I need do at feeding time is
add water. (I buy Honest Kitchen in large quantities and store
it with our home emergency supplies.)
Trippet green lamb tripe is a complete diet. I order it by the
case in the 5.5 oz size. Each can will feed a Farmdog for one
day. Refrigeration and a can lid will be needed if splitting
a can between multiple meals. Trippet can be ordered from The
Dog Athlete, http://www.thedogathlete.com.
Round-ups/roll-ups such as Natural Balance can be purchased
in a variety of flavors at any pet store. No refrigeration is
required prior to opening or when consumed during a single meal.
I choose the 2.75 oz size which is perfect for one Farmdog meal.
These logs can also be cut into small pieces for high value training
treats.
Always take more than enough food for your trip, be prepared
in case of unexpected delays in your travel.
Kongs stuffed with peanut butter, cheese or other treats and
frozen are nice stress/boredom relief for dogs while crated during
travel.
Basic First Aid Supplies
Always
carry a pet first aid kit when you travel. Search for a pet first
aid class in your area. First aid supplies aren't of much use
if you don't know when or how to use them. Many pet suppliers
have pet first aid kits but you may need to add a few extra items.
The items in this photo include:
- Commercially prepared traveler kit containing 3" x3" gauze
pads, 5" x 9" trauma pads, 4" x 4.1 yrds stretch
gauze, 4" x 5 yrds cohesive flexible bandage, latex gloves,
metal scissors, plastic forceps, 3 oz bottle certi-dine PVP
iodine, 4 oz bottle eye-skin wash, insect swabs, 1 g hydrocortisone
cream, 1 oz tube antibiotic cream, cotton swabs, antiseptic
towelettes, powdered styptic, green soap towelettes, handwipe,
gunshot wound care card, rubber band, 2" x 5 yards roll
adhesive tape, 8" x 10" resealable bag
- I have added Hydrogen Peroxide, syringe (suitable for forcing
liquid into the dog's mouth), Benedryl, Pepcid AC 10 mg, Imodium,
Pepto-Bismol tablets, hot/cold packs, rectal thermometer and
shields, and products to ease feet damaged by rough terrain
(may be purchased from Clean Run at http://www.cleanrun.com).
Note: check with your veterinarian regarding
dosage of these over the counter medications that are often
used for dogs.
- A book on dog first aid
- A space blanket
Note: If you need to lift an injured dog,
hold the dog close to your body with the injured side out.
Use a flat hard surface if possible or a blanket/towel as a
second choice.
Extremely
Important:
If you are providing aid to an injured dog, no matter how well
you know the dog, muzzle the dog. Injured dogs will bite.
You can use a commercial muzzle or create one from such items
as leashes, slip leads, tug toys, belts, or any other item you
can find (shown on the right).
Have Animal Poison Control's number programmed
into you cell phone, this number may be reached from any place
in the USA. 1-800-548-2434 or 1-888-426-4435
Hint: tucking fabric softener sheets in your
dog's collar and in your pockets will help deter hornet type
flying bugs.
I carry dog shampoo, a towel and fabric odor eliminator spay
with my first aid materials. If you have ever had a dog roll
in something disgusting I don't need to explain the dog shampoo
and towel. If you have ever had a sick dog in your car you will
also be thankful you have an odor eliminator spray available.
Weather Protection
If traveling any distance be sure you are prepared for any weather
condition. In the summer you may need reflective blankets, canopies,
umbrellas, fans, mister systems such as water spray bottles,
cool blankets or coats, frozen water bolsters.
Fans
The
photo shows a variety of fans, some will suit your needs better
than others. Standard crate fans are available from any pet supply.
The battery powered small blue fan can be purchased with freezable
attachments for additionally cooling (reports I've had on the
attachments is they don't last long enough to be worth using).
The small battery powered silver fan has a thermostat that can
be set. These fans fit on wire crates or the doors of airline
crates. They do not work well with soft or flip crates.
The O'Cool 12V fan on the left of the photograph was purchased
at a Walgreen's drug store. It works on household current or
eight D-cell batteries. On battery power running at high speed,
it will last four-five hours. This fan can be placed in front
of a crate or on the top opening of a soft crate lying down and
blowing air down into the crate. It is a good product if you
need for a fan is only occasionally. The 12V fan produces greater
circulation that the small crate fans.
The Endless Breeze 12V by Fra-tastic Vent,
fan is DC only and can be used in a parked car when circulation
is poor. http://www.fantasticvent.com/products/endless_breeze/
endless_breeze.html
Quickly becoming the most popular fan for travel is the Ryobi
18V rechargeable fan (providing five-six hours of use). The fan
itself is reasonably priced, however, you will have a significant
investment in the charger and batteries (I carry two batteries).
If you attend dog sports events, this fan is an excellent choice.
These fans and accessories may be purchased at hardware stores
such as Home Depot.
Misters
Mister
tools and systems can aid in reducing the effects of heat. The
K9-Kool Mist is a five gallon garden sprayer tank with common
garden mister pieces added. It can be attached to a crate, x-pen
or canopy. When primed and mist is released it is reported to
cool an area by approximately 30 degrees. If you are clever,
you could no doubt make one of these yourself. The portable mister
is available for purchase from Stars and Stripes Agility at http://www.starsandstripesagility.com/FreePage1.htm.
A small one-quart spray bottle is easy to carry. I keep one
in my car at all times or take it with me when I am concerned
about my dogs overheating. These can be purchased at any hardware
store.
A larger version garden sprayer is handy if you have multiple
dogs you are concerned about cooling.
Shade Products
Many
varieties of shade products such as tents, canopies and umbrellas
are available at patio, camping, hardware stores, car and discount
merchants. Choose these according to your needs. The products
in the photo are shade accessories that you may want to consider.
The small 4' clamp-on umbrella is UV coated and will attach
to a travel chair or some crates (wire or soft). Because of their
small size, they are easy to keep handy in a car. These can be
ordered year around from the Beach Store at http://www.beachstore.com/Beach-Products/Clamp-On-Umbrellas.
The Worm Wiggler umbrella holder (sitting on the chair seat
in the photo) is the BEST umbrella holder I have found. Because
is screws into the ground and has a flat plate for balance and
support, this holder does not fail in strong winds. I recommend
choosing the 9" version of the Worm Wiggler. Shown in the
photo is the version for regular applications. Also available
is a Worm Wiggler for sand beaches as well as umbrella anchors
for chairs. These can be purchased from Shade USA at
http://www.shadeusa.com/beach_umbrella_holders.htm#The%20Earthworm.
The white umbrella holder is more stable than the purple one
and it features a swiveling dog tie-down.
The purple umbrella holder is commonly seen where umbrellas
are needed. It features a cup holder. This umbrella holder may
be purchased from Agility Works at http://www.agilityworks.com/more.htm.
Shade cloths of mesh or reflective material can aid in protecting
exposed crates from intense sun. These may be purchased from
most pet suppliers.
Cool Coats, Cooling Pads,
Dry Off/Cool Down Towels, Portable Water Tub
Cool
Coats are available in many styles. Use caution when selecting
the cool coat that will be best suited to your needs. Be sure
the coat you choose will breathe and allow for evaporation. Two
very good cool coats are the cool coat of light weight woven
fabric used for cool down horse blankets and the reflective mesh
cool coat that reflects the sun. Both of these can be dampened
before use and the moisture will evaporate quickly. These coats
may be purchased at http://www.cleanrun.com or http://www.pethints.com as
well as many other sources. The chamois cool coat holds moisture
for quite a long time however provides only limited evaporation.
(I sometimes use the chamois cool coat as a pad for my dog to
lie on in a well ventilated area. Using the chamois coat in an
airline crate will create a "sweat box.") The chamois
cool coat may be purchased from Wetcoat at http://www.pettemp.com/05koolkoatmain/index.htm.
The Cool-N-Dry towel is handy in the car, not only for use as
a cooling cloth, but it is also handy to dry off a wet dog. This
towel can be kept moist in the container for long periods of
time without risk of mildew providing an ever ready cooling source
or drying towel for your dog. These towels are machine washable
and last for years. The Cool-N-Dry towel can be purchased at http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfmfuseaction=category.display&
category_id=258
Cooling blankets or pads for dogs to lie on come in several
styles and are available from most pet product suppliers. The
one in the photo is a gel filled pad that claims to keep a constant
temperature of 68 degrees. It can be cooled further by refrigeration
before use. Some cooling pads are filled with water to produce
a cooling affect.
Bottle bolsters are one of the simplest and most effective ways
to keep your dog cool. These bolsters are filled with frozen
bottles of water. I use two of these in each crate. You may purchase
Bottle bolsters from Doggone Good at http://www.doggonegood.com/index.cfmfuseaction=product.display&
product_id=181
A collapsible, portable water tub provides a quick and convenient
cool down pool for your dog. The tub folds down to 24" in
diameter and only 3" in height for easy storage. See this
tub at Clean Run http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&
Product_ID=1022&ParentCat=179
Keep Your Dog Comfortable During Cold Weather
If
your dog is crated in cool climates you may need heating disks,
dog coats and dog sleeping bags. Dog coats of many varieties
and dog sleeping bags are available through most pet suppliers.
The Snuggler (shown on the left) can be warmed in a microwave
and will provide comfortable warmth under your dog's bedding
for up to eight hours.
A product that may not be as familiar but will provide warmth
on a cold day is a heating disk. The disk can be warmed in a
microwave and will hold comfortable heat for up to eight hours.
Snuggle Safe disks may be purchased from King Wholesale Pet Supplies
at http://www.kingwholesale.com/Shopping/itemlist.cfm?id=6207
Other Items to Keep Your Dog Safe and Comfortable
Ramps can be helpful for older dogs that have difficulty getting
in and out of a car.
If you are hiking in remote areas, a bear bell can be attached
to your dog's collar. The bell comes in a silencer bag so that
the bell can be quieted when not in use. Bear bells can be purchased
at most high-end sporting goods stores.
Dogs that tend to have car sickness may benefit from the scent
of Lavender sprinkled near their crates. It is a soothing smell
for humans too.
Some find that the use of Rescue Remedy helps calm nervous travelers.
Just a helpful hint to tuck away for the future in case you
need it:
Dog Sprayed by a Skunk?
To get rid of that awful odor: Mix one quart
of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide with 1/4 cup of baking soda and
1 teaspoon of mild dishwashing detergent (make sure it doesn't
contain bleach or ammonia). Rub this mixture into your dog's
coat. Don't allow any to drip into your pet's ears or eyes. Then
bathe with a mild pet shampoo and rinse well.
Finding Dog Friendly Accommodations
Visit the "Traveling With Dogs" resources found in
the Members Only section of our Web site. Several links will
lead you to dog friendly accommodations or dog orientated travel
agencies. https://dsfca.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=459025&
module_id=54625#Travel
Travel smart, travel safe and have a wonderful trip!
Disclaimer
Product sources are listed for your convenience. Listing does
not imply association with the particular companies nor does
it imply recommendation of their products by the DSFCA. Many
of these products may be available at sources other than those
listed. As always, review all products and determine for yourself
if the product suits your needs and requirements.
Read More About Traveling With Your Dogs
Flying With Dogs in Cargo and
in Carry-on - Helene Riisgaad Pedersen
Travel With
Farmdogs - Melody Farquhar Chang
Traveling Testamonials -
Michele and Greta
Danish/Swedish
Farmdog Club of America
August
2009
June
2009
May
2009
April
2009
March
2009
