Long weekend ahead: travelling with your dog without the carrier becoming the enemy
If you're heading off for the long weekend, the carrier can be his refuge or his nightmare. How to get your dog used to it and what to pack so the trip goes without a hitch.
A long weekend comes round and you fancy getting away. If your dog is coming with you, the journey starts long before you turn the key in the ignition: it starts at home, the day you introduce him to the carrier and decide whether it'll be his favourite spot or the thing that sends him hiding under the bed.
Get him used to it in good time
The worst plan is to dig the carrier out of the storage cupboard on the day you travel. Ideally, leave it out at home, open, for a few days or weeks beforehand, like any other piece of furniture.
- Put a blanket or bed inside that smells of home.
- Hide treats inside so he goes in of his own accord.
- Feed him near the door and, later on, inside.
- Once he goes in calmly, close the door for a few seconds and gradually build up the time.
- Take short car trips that end somewhere nice, not just at the vet's.
The right carrier
Your dog should be able to stand up, turn round and lie down comfortably inside. It has to be sturdy, well ventilated and have a secure catch. If you're travelling by car, make sure it's firmly secured, for example on the floor behind the front seats or fastened with the seatbelt, so it doesn't slide about if you brake hard.
If your dog is large and doesn't use a carrier, use another approved dog restraint system, such as a car safety harness or a dog guard. He should never travel loose.
Your dog's suitcase
- His usual food and a few treats.
- Water and a portable water bowl.
- Lead, collar or harness with an up-to-date ID tag.
- Poo bags, wipes and an old towel.
- His blanket or bed, so he has something familiar when you get there.
- His health record or pet passport and details of a vet near where you're going.
During the journey
Stop every few hours so he can stretch his legs, have a drink and do his business, always on the lead at service stations. Avoid giving him a big meal just before you set off, and never leave him alone in the car: even in autumn, the inside can get very hot very quickly.
If your dog gets travel sick or finds journeys very hard, talk to your vet before the trip.
At Petuki you'll find carriers, blankets and travel water bowls so your getaway gets off on the right paw.