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While the holidays are supposed to be full of peace, love, and fun, they can also be stressful, especially when traveling is involved at the busiest times of the year. It can be great to bring your dog along with you while traveling, but doing so also increases the things you must do and keep in mind to ensure a safe, happy trip. From packing a dog emergency kit to bringing along a DIY dog fence, there are many things you can consider ahead of time to help things go as smoothly as possible. Here are the top travel tips to keep in mind this holiday season with your dog.
Keep Your Dog Safe in the Car
If you’re taking a road trip, you want to make sure your dog is as safe in the car as everyone else in your family. It’s a great idea to invest in a dog seat belt, which will keep your dog restrained in the car. If you don’t, at least place your dog in their crate during the ride. Not only is this safer for your dog, it prevents your dog from getting into the front seat and causing an accident by distracting the driver. Never allow your dog to stick their head out of the window of a moving car.
Contain Your Dog Wherever You Are
One of the worst nightmares you could experience would be to lose your dog while on a holiday trip. To avoid this, make sure your dog is contained at all times. While outside, if they are not in a fenced-in yard, they need to be on a leash. Of course, never leave your dog tied up unattended. If your dog is trained on an invisible dog fence, you can bring a portable version with you. It’s an excellent tool for containing your dog at rest areas, campgrounds, or in the yards of loved ones who don’t have a fence. However, it’s a good idea to supervise even the most well-trained dogs when in unfamiliar territory, even when using a wireless dog fence.
Pack Dog Emergency Essentials
If you have the extra money, it’s convenient to purchase a dog first aid kit to keep in the trunk of your car or bring with you on trips. If not, create your own. You essentially need to pack the same things as a regular first aid kit, but with some extra paw-sized bandages. Your car emergency kit should also include extra dog food, extra water, extra bowls, an extra collar and leash set, and an extra blanket for the furry member of your family. Also bring along a copy of your dog’s vaccination record and any necessary medical information, including medications.
Ensure Your Destination is Dog-Proof
Wherever you are staying with your dog, do some thorough dog-proofing before you relax and let your dog roam, especially if your loved ones don’t have a dog of their own. Make sure things like medications, cleaning supplies, candy bowls, and lit candles are out-of-reach. There are several types of common holiday plants that are toxic to dogs, too. Mistletoe, pointsettia, and holly should be moved to an area your dog cannot access, so you don’t even run the risk of your dog ingesting fallen leaves. Pine needles are also toxic, and the water from the tree stand can be, too. If there is a Christmas tree that your dog won’t stay away from, keep them in a separate room or position your electronic dog fence around the tree as a safety barrier.
Ask Others to Follow Safety Guidelines
Make sure whoever you are staying with is aware of certain safety concerns for your dog. For example, ask your loved ones not to feed your dog any table scraps unless you approve, and caution them not to leave their plates or drinks unattended. Alcohol, chocolate, and xylitol can be fatal to dogs, and other foods such as onions, raisins, grapes, nuts, bones, fatty foods, coffee, and tea can cause dogs to get seriously ill. If you are using an e-collar or electric dog fence, make sure others are aware. Also remind children that dogs don’t like hugs or kisses.
While traveling, remember to watch your dog closely for signs of stress. Signs of stress in dogs include pacing, panting, growling, freezing, staring, cowering, and hiding. Any behavior that’s unusual for your dog could be a sign they are overwhelmed, so try to give them a quiet, dark place that they can rest alone with plenty of water to drink. If your dog gets sick or injured, be sure to call your vet’s office or emergency number as soon as possible.
These holiday travel safety tips come to us thanks to the ongoing educational efforts of www.dogfencediy.com; Dog Fence DIY provides dog owners with an affordable alternative to pricey and complex dog containment solutions.
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I really like taking walks with my dog.
I like to go hiking.
I don’t have a dog. I do have a cat and she likes to play fetch with a balled up piece of paper
play ball
Our dog seems more in his element when we go camping. Love doing that with him!
I like to nap with my dog.
We like to go outside and play ball.
We go to the dog park and play ball. 🙂
We like to go running.
Go for walks and play out in the yard.
I am 98% sure that we are getting my son a puppy for Valentine’s Day. We’ll be good puppy parents, and he’s at the right age now to have one. 🙂
I cuddle with my dogs!!
We like to play of course. She is always ready for a game of fetch!
love to pet and play
our dogs love to play frisbee
i love playing toys with him and taking him for long walks
I like taking him for walks in the park.
I like to take my dog for a walk as it gets use both in the exercise mode. In the summer, I love to take Kyla to the river to go swimming.
on walks at the local park
I like taking my dogs camping/fishing.
I like to take her to the dog park to meet other dogs.
I like going on hikes with my dog.
I like to go hiking and camping with my dogs.
Go for walks!
I like playing with my dog and I like when he lays on my lap when ever I am sitting down.
I like to take my dog for walks
On cold Winter nights, she’s warm to cuddle.
i love to take my dog on walks. she loves to get outside and so do i.
I don’t actually have a dog, but I have kitties and I love cuddling with them at night!
coriwestphal at gmail dot com
I like napping on the sofa with my little Yorkie.
I don’t have a dog right now, but we always enjoyed playing games outside.
I like taking them both for walks in the park.
I like throwing ropes for my dogs.
With the small one, it is comfortable to have her curled up in the chair with me.
play games
We like to hike to the river and go swimming
We love to take walks, and cuddle, and play fetch.
We like playing in the yard and going to the dog park.
I love to take walks with my dogs
I like to play in the yard with my moms dog.
my dogs are everything to me,
they are my kids 🙂
i take them everywhere.
My dog is getting older but he likes to ride in my bike trailer when I ride my bike, besides one of my kids lol
I have cats not any dogs. I like to go on the porch with my cats and read while they watch the birds.
I like to go for hikes with my dog, Cody.
My dogs love to take walks and go on car rides to the park.
We like going hiking!
I love to take my dog hiking.
i love to take my 3 girls on walks and runs, play hide and seek in the house, love and kiss on them constantly
I take walks with my dog. Thank you for the chance.
we like to go for long walks together.
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Oh we love to take walks! So relaxing!
I like going jogging in the morning with my dog.
I like to take my dog walking by the lake.
Go for walks in the park
I like to go for walks around the neighborhood.
I like to do everything with my dogs. I stay at home and we spend our days together.
We like to take walks and also play catch in the park.
I like to take my dogs to the park.
I don’t have a dog but I love to visit my MIL’s dogs and have them sit in my lap and let me stroke them.
We like cuddles together – I love it when they sit in my lap and we just have quality time.
He likes to play with his fuzzy tennis ball. It is his favorite toy.
I like to go for walks
We like to go on nature walks.
I like to take my dog on walks along the nature trail. I also like to play fetch with her in the house. Thanks.
partymix25(at)Hotmail(dot)com
I like to go to the park and play catch
Sadly, our dog Bella passed away last week. She used to love to go for walks & always got excited when she saw us pick up her leash.
I like to take him to the local park.
I love to dress her up.
I love going on a hike.
We go for walks
I like to take her for walks.
we love to snuggle!
I love to take him for walks and snuggle!
I like taking long walks with her and I also love it when she just sits by me in the evening.
I love taking my dog to the beach.
I love to go running with my dog!
I love to swim in the ocean with our dogs
We like to walk the neighborhood and visit with people!
Taking long walks.
kport207 at gmail dot com
We like to go to the dog park.
Going for runs.
We like to take daily walks and play in the yard.
I like to go for a walk with him 😉
I like to take my dogs for a walk and play with them with their toys.
we love to walk to the park
We like playing catch or just laying around
My dog really likes to join me on my walks.
I love camping with my dog Chica. She loves being out in nature as much as I do.
We like to toss the tennis ball.
I like to snuggle with our dog, but she loves to play so we do both!
Playing fetch is fun.
We love to take our dogs to the dog park.
thank you
I like playing ball with my dog!
I like to take my dog for walks….or snuggle on the couch with her!
Thank you!
to take my dog to the park
I like to throw the ball for her.
I like taking them out for walks!
I would like to take her to play in the snow. She loves the snow.
We like to go for walks.
I like taking walks with my dog, especially exploring new neighborhoods!
I love to take hikes with my dog. Thank you
I love snuggling with them on the couch
I like to take our dog to go jogging with me.
I like to rough house with my dog
We like to take him to dog friendly beaches!
We love taking our dog camping with us.
I don’t have a dog, but I like it when my cat jumps up and goes to sleep on my lap.
I like to take my dog to the park.
I like to hold and pet my dog 🙂
I like to take walks with my dog.
We like to take walks to the park
I like to take my dog to the dog park. Thanks for the giveaway, I hope that I win.
We like long walks and thriwung the tennis ball
we go for walks
I don’t have a dog, but if I did, it would be running together!
I love to play tug with my dog.
I like playing in the snow with her.
I like to take our dog on walks.
I like to take walks with my dog. She’s great on a leash and I love that we both get exercise together.
I love to take walks with my dog. She’s great on a leash and I love that we both get exercise together.
I like taking my dog to the dog park.
I have three dogs! I love spending time at home with them !
He’s almost 16 years old, so we’re lucky to be able to play ball once or twice a day, but he no longer goes for walks since he can barely walk.
I like playing catch with him.
I like to play catch with her.
Go for walks.
Our absolute favorite thing is to go to the pond. He is the only dog I’ve ever had that jumps in.
I don’t have any dogs anymore but when I did we used to like to go to the dog park
The companionship rocks!
Playtime is the best!
I like taking walks with her.