Tips and Tricks for a Successful Road Trip with Your Puppy

With spring around the corner, many of us are hard at work planning our upcoming travels. For dog parents with a new dog or puppy, this time could mean added stress. Do you know what to expect from the first road trip with your puppy?

The secret to a successful dog-friendly road trip all comes down to one thing – planning!

Whether you’re a first-time dog parent, or this is the first puppy that has joined your family and you need a refresher, this post is for you. I’m sharing my go-to tips and tricks for a successful road trip with your best friend by your side.  

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Why Road Trip with Your Puppy?

It’s a question that I have been asked more than once over the years. If you know that you’re planning a big road trip, why bring your dog along?

Our dogs are part of the family. We enjoy exploring the world and spending quality time with them.

Travelling with your dog is also a great bonding opportunity. As you step into each new experience and new place, it’s a challenge that you can face together.

The truth is that travelling with dogs has been on the rise! According to a survey conducted by AAA and well-known pet brand Kurgo, 56% of the dog owners surveyed have driven with their dog in a vehicle at least once a month over the proceeding year.

In response, a growing number of hotels and tourist attractions are welcoming our dogs with open arms.

If you ask me, the question should be why not road trip with your puppy?

How to Prepare for a Long Car Trip with a New Puppy

The process of preparing for a long car trip with a new puppy begins long before you plan on hitting the road. In fact, it’s something that you should start working on as early as possible.

Some dogs will love car rides right from the beginning with no effort on your part.

Unfortunately, this isn’t true for all! A puppy that is anxious or fearful of the vehicle will often grow up to be a dog that is seriously afraid of it. It can even go as far as getting sick, having panic attacks, and other extreme reactions.

Not only will that put a damper on your travel plans, but it also adds a challenge to regular activities like taking our dog to the veterinarian.

If you have a puppy that is unsure about the car ride experience, here is a simple 5 step approach to introducing the vehicle effectively and helping your pup to overcome any fears.

Step One: Start Training at Home

If you notice that your puppy is nervous about the idea of being in a vehicle, the first step to helping them doesn’t even involve putting a key in the ignition.

Instead, you want to focus on making the vehicle itself a happy place without the added stress of movement.

Try feeding your puppy in the vehicle or offering high-value treats and plenty of praise.

For highly nervous dogs, make sure to leave the door open so that they don’t feel trapped in the space. A long lead can give them the freedom to move about as if they are loose while still giving you control if needed.

Another great way to associate the vehicle with happy things is to bring your puppy’s favourite toy out to the vehicle and enjoy a game of fetch or tug together.

Remember – it’s all about happy experiences!

Step Two: Turn Your Attention to the Road

Okay, not really… You still aren’t going anywhere at this stage. But it’s time to introduce your puppy to being in the vehicle without your constant attention.

Offer a toy or food in the backseat and then move to the driver’s seat and stare straight ahead.

During this time, don’t engage with your puppy. You want to make sure that he can be comfortable in the vehicle when you aren’t right by his side, distracting him.

Step Three: Start the Engine

With this step, you’re adding a new and potentially scary element to the mix. When you get into the driver’s seat, turn on the engine.

Just as you did in step two, don’t engage with your puppy.

Instead, allow him to get used to the sound of the engine while eating in the back seat or playing with a favourite toy.

Step Four: Introduce Safety Gear

Now it’s time for you to make an important decision for your upcoming road trip with your new puppy. Let’s talk road safety…

How are you going to keep your pup safe in the event of an accident?

We’re required to wear a seatbelt whenever the vehicle is in motion, but our pets are often overlooked. Unfortunately, this decision could make a bad situation even worse.

A puppy that is unsecured can be seriously injured in a crash, or cause injury to others in the vehicle. Therefore, restraining your dog in the vehicle is an important step for the safety of everyone involved.

When selecting car safety gear for your dog, there are a few options. This includes:

• Pet Safety Belts and Harnesses
• Crates (Hard-Sided and Soft-Sided)
• Pet-Specific Booster Seats
• Vehicle Safety Barriers

Take some time to explore all your options and decide on the best choice for your puppy’s unique needs. Some things to take into consideration include your puppy’s size, anxiety level, general energy level, and the space that will be available.

When you have chosen which option you are going to use, it’s time to introduce it to your dog.

Work your way through the steps above by offering food, treats, or toys, but do this while your dog is in their travel crate or buckled in with their seatbelt.

Step Five: Start Small and Work Your Way Up

The time has finally come to get moving! To give your dog time to adjust without making this too stressful, start small and slowly work your way up.

Pay attention to how your dog reacts and allow him to guide how slowly or quickly you move through this process.

If your dog is still nervous about the vehicle, your first ‘trip’ may be just moving up and down the driveway. On the other hand, if your dog appears to be comfortable, you may wish to start with a trip around the block.

Consider making plans that involve a short trip to a nearby destination before expanding your plans to include a long car ride with your puppy by your side.

Take your time and work through these steps slowly. Before long, the idea of taking a puppy on a road trip won’t even phase you!

Getting Ready to Road Trip with Dogs? Tips and Tricks for a Successful Adventure

Exercise Before You Go

Anytime we’re planning a road trip, our schedule includes time just before hitting the road specifically designated for wearing the dogs out.

This means a long walk, a high-energy game of fetch, or something else that will have them ready for a much-needed nap.

After all, as they say, a tired dog is a good dog!

Comfort of a Familiar Blanket

As a family that travels a lot, we have made a point of introducing a ‘security blanket’ for each of our dogs both at home and on the go.

These blankets remain on their dog beds anytime that we are at home. This allows them to collect familiar scents as well as to become a source of comfort in their daily lives.

When we go on a trip, their blankets come with us to add a touch of ‘home’ wherever we happen to be.

Our pups take comfort in their blankets in the vehicle when we’re on the road and wherever they will be relaxing when we arrive at our destination.

Be Prepared for ANYTHING

As I said in the beginning, the secret to success is to be prepared. This means being prepared for anything that could happen along the way.

Some ways that we’re able to do this include:

• Keeping a fully stocked pet first-aid kit in the vehicle
• Placing a copy of our dog’s veterinary records and information in the glove box
• Travelling with bottled water in case we must stop somewhere where drinking water isn’t available
• Bring extra food so that you’re prepared if your trip must be extended for any reason
• Pack plenty of comfort items including the ‘safety blanket’ and a selection of toys
• Double check ID tags are on and up to date

Put Enrichment Toys to Work

A long trip can be a challenge for even the most car-savvy dog. Especially for younger pups with all their extra energy.

A good way to burn some energy on the road without causing a disturbance in the vehicle is to provide your dog with some fun enrichment toys like a stuffed KONG toy or a food puzzle toy that they can enjoy along the way.

This is a great way to feed your dogs while you’re on the road.

Plan Bathroom Breaks in Advance  

Before heading out, take the time to plan your bathroom breaks. This could involve choosing locations in advance, or simply setting a timeline.

For location-specific bathroom breaks, add the desired spot to your GPS as a stop on your trip.

If you prefer to schedule based on time and stop wherever you need to in that area, set an alarm to remind you when that time has come.

Stress and excitement may cause your pup to need to go to the bathroom more often than usual. It’s better to over-plan than to wait too long and end up dealing with an accident!

Is Your Pup Still Anxious? What to Give a Dog for a Long Road Trip

As we previously touched on, some dogs have a much harder time with the idea of a road trip than others. This includes cases where a dog never fully warms up to the idea of car travel.

If your dog is still anxious and you have a road trip around the corner, it may be time to explore other options.

There are natural supplements available that will help to calm and relax your dog. Many of these are available online or at your local pet store.

You can also talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of calming medication for the trip.

When It’s Best to Leave Your Dog at Home

As much as we LOVE the idea of travelling with our dogs, there are some situations where it’s better to leave your dog safely at home or in the care of a local boarding facility.

There are some dogs that will never warm up to the idea of being in a vehicle.

If you have tried training and supplements and your dog is still freaking out every time they are in the vehicle, it’s not a fun experience for you or your dog.

Instead, plan a ‘doggy vacation’ for your pup at a local boarding facility. Many even include perks like ‘spa treatments’, swimming pools, and group playtime for those that enjoy the company of other dogs.

Dogs that are ill or injured are also better off staying home with a friend, family member, or pet sitter to care for them. Car rides are bumpy and unsettling, which can be uncomfortable in this condition.

You may also wish to talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of a medical board there where they can be supervised by professionals, depending on the severity of their illness.

At the end of the day, try to remember why you planned to bring your dog along, to begin with! A road trip with a puppy is not likely going to happen without something coming up along the way.

Focus on your relationship and the fun of tackling these challenges together!

Have you ever taken a road trip with a puppy or young dog? If so, what are your biggest tips, tricks, and takeaways?

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