![]() ![]() Just be aware that time spent in unfamiliar environments, with unfamiliar stimuli, can make even the most regular dog unpredictable, so monitor them for signs of pacing, excessive panting, or whining that may indicate a need to visit a roadside bush. You likely already know the rough frequency your dog requires from all those walks you give it. An older dog might be happy going four hours or more without stopping. Time Bathroom BreaksĪ puppy needs a bathroom break at least once an hour. A couple of reusable gallon jugs are the easiest, cheapest way to carry water for your pups. If they empty it, I refill it until they stop drinking. So I just try to offer my dogs a fresh bowl of water every time we stop. There’s a variety of supposedly spill-proof water bowls out there, but I’ve never found one that works, especially given the off-road nature of most of my road trips. Since you’re feeding them human food, you can restock at grocery stores along your route. A container of Lysol and a little bottle of hand sanitizer will help you avoid germs. Just freeze the meals in individual serving-size baggies before you leave, then pack those individual meals into a cooler or portable fridge-freezer. It’s actually really easy to keep that diet consistent on the road. I feed my dogs a healthy raw-food diet composed mainly of chicken drumsticks, along with some extra supplements, organs, and vitamins. This helps keep the timing of their energy spikes, poops, and complaints about nearly starving to death as predictable as possible. That means I feed them once, around midafternoon. I try to keep my dogs on the same rough schedule they’re on at home. Tight confines help the dog stay stable, which seems to make them happier. When in doubt, go smaller rather than larger. ![]() In all seriousness, just plan out a space in your car that’s about the same size as whatever kind of bed the dog sleeps on at home. Wiley lies on the floorboards, Teddy takes up the entire back seat, and both growl at Bowie if he tries to sit in either area. I pack three large dogs into the back seat of my midsize Ford Ranger without issue. How much space does your dog need? Probably less than you might expect. That will also help keep your dog from hopping around the car or feeling like it’s doing the wrong thing. You can introduce that spot with a familiar blanket, bed, or toy, and over time, your dog will come to understand that, for example, the right rear seat is where it belongs. Keeping your dog calm and confident will be easier if you give it a regular place in the car. It takes older dogs longer to feel comfortable with new things, but the method remains exactly the same. The connection between positive reinforcements and an experience clicks super fast in a puppy. Once your pup is able to ride around calmly for, say, five minutes, try ten. Give the dog treats and praise in an effort to connect the experience with positive reinforcements. To start, enlist the help of a friend, and ask them to drive you around the block a couple of times while you cradle your puppy in your arms. Begin with small, highly managed experiences, and scale them slowly over time. ![]() From four to twelve weeks of age, puppies go through a crucial socialization period in which they soak up new experiences, learn their place in the world, and adapt to different environments-and car rides are no different from learning not to be scared of loud sounds or to be cool with children. Get Your Dog Comfortable with Car RidesĪs with all things dog, raising a canine capable of calmly riding in a car is going to be easier the earlier in their lives you start acclimating them to it. Here’s how I make road tripping with my dogs a reasonably stress-free experience. Because three large dogs follow me around everywhere I go, this is a problem I frequently have. Getting them there, particularly if that beautiful spot is a long way away, is less awesome. ![]() Hanging out with your dogs somewhere beautiful is pretty awesome. ![]()
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