About to head out on a road trip with your dog? Be sure to read these 7 tips before you head out to make sure your pup is comfortable in the car!

I’m no stranger to road trips with dogs. From Utah to Oregon, Oregon to Utah, Utah to South Carolina, South Carolina to Florida, Florida to South Carolina, and South Carolina back to Utah (plus, MANY little weekend trips) I have had our four-legged friend by my side.

And while road trips (mostly) go smoothly now, it definitely took some time for my dog to come around to spending countless hours in the car.

Here are some of the things I have learned about road trips with dogs, and driving with dogs in general. Plus, what to do if your dog gets car sick, what to do if your dog dislikes car rides, and how to desensitize your dog to the car!

First things first. Making sure you have all of the travel necessities for your pup within reach is so important. Here’s what you’ll need:

Water bowl/water. You will want your dog to have access to fresh water throughout your trip. A spill-proof bowl is helpful while you're on the go. 

Food. Make sure to bring enough food for the amount of time you will be away! We also like to make sure the food is in an airtight container so it doesn’t get stale or stink up the car.

Leash and collar/harness. Pack your dog's leash, harness, and collar. And be sure to get your tags updated before a big trip! 

Vaccination records/health certificate. Some hotels will require you to show your pup's vaccination records, plus, if you have to take a trip to the vet, this paperwork will also come in handy.

Poop bags- a dog's gotta do what a dog's gotta do...

Towel/blanket- if they get dirty or wet (or make a mess) a towel is nice to have handy. We also like to have a blanket for our dog when we stop for the night, and for him to lay on in the car.

Dog bed (if there's room)- whether it is for safety or comfort, having a dog bed or a comfortable area for your dog to be if you stop for the night can make the trip more enjoyable for all. 

Treats/chews- bring treats that will keep your dog busy for long periods of time, like a tasty dog chew. You can also freeze a Kong with peanut butter or greek yogurt and some treats. And don't forget some training treats to take advantage of training opportunities while you're out.

Favorite toys- bring a ball and ball thrower, squeaker toy, or some of their other favorite things.

Crash-tested crate/harness/carrier- when it comes to drives with dogs, safety is also really important. Get a crash-tested crate/harness/carrier for your drive with your pup. 

First Aid Kit- some things you can pack in your kit include:

For more ideas for a first aid kit, check out this article.

Before setting off on your trip, give your dog some physical exercise. Let them run around, play fetch, or frisbee. If you're short on space, there are still many ways you can get your dog's energy out. A good game of tug is perfect for smaller spaces or you can grab a flirt pole and let your dog do some chasing. 

You know how tired you are after a full day of work or school (or both!), and all you want to do is well... nothing?

Using your brain is exhausting, and mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise.

Teach your dog something new, work on a new trick, or give your pup a fun puzzle or enrichment box, just do something that makes them use their brain!

Here are a few toys that can help with mental stimulation 👇

Snuffle Mat: Fill with treats and let your pup forage for them!

Pure Focus Lick Mat: Spread with peanut butter, pumpkin puree, etc., and then freeze it. You can even stick it to your car window!

SodaPup Toys: Like a Kong, you can fill these with treats, peanut butter (xylitol free), and even a bully stick and give to your pup!

Give your dog a chance to use the restroom whenever you stop! Give them water, let them stretch etc. While our dog is wonderful 90% of the time, I know that if I am sick of being in the car, chances are he is as well.

We usually drive for 2-4 hours, stop, let him go to the bathroom, walk around with him, give him water and a treat or meal depending on when we stop, and then get back to it.

There are some websites that will let you know how pet-friendly certain places are.

You can also filter results on hotel websites to say “allow dogs”. But make sure to actually look at the fine print. Some places will say they allow dogs but then only allow one or two dogs up to 20 pounds.

My dog doesn’t always do well when staying at unfamiliar locations for the night. We always try to bring his dog bed, his blanket, or something else with familiar smells to make him feel more comfortable in this new environment.

If you will be driving through a city/town and want to spend some time there before moving on, look for dog-friendly outdoor seating options at restaurants, and look for dog-friendly parks, trails, farmers markets, and more!

Some cities, like Portland, are very dog-friendly and have so many options that you can all go together! Again, check out bringfido.com or another similar website with reviews on different pet-friendly activities.

As far as hikes go, most National Parks don’t allow any dogs besides service dogs, but a lot of state parks will allow dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Just do your research so you aren’t totally bummed when you get there.

Without getting into specifics, there are a lot of sad things that can happen to our best friends in the car, so extra precautions should be taken while driving with your pups.

Here are some of the main ones we recommend:

Don’t roll the window down all the way (or even let them out the window!)

Strap them into a crash-tested safety harness

Whatever you decide, make sure that it is tested and effective. We just want the best for our furry friends, right!?

I have been asked multiple times by people at rest stops, on the side of the road, or in a gas station when driving with our dog, “How he is comfortable driving with us?” “How did we do it?” “What can I do?”

If you are one of the ones struggling with this, know that you are not alone. While many dogs love the open road, there are also so many that don’t feel so comfortable there. But good news, there are things that you can do and try to help your pup feel better on the open road.

HOW DO I GET MY DOG LESS NERVOUS TO RIDE IN THE CAR?

Here are a few tips for getting your dog more comfortable riding in the car:

1. Associate drives with something good. Whenever we take our dog in the car, he is excited. That is because he knows he is going to be able to go on a hike, go to the park, or an open field (maybe even the pet store to pick out a treat).

Associating positive and fun things with drives has made it so he looks forward to going places with us. 

2. Keep special treats or toys in your car that they only get while in the car, that way there will be something special for them to look forward to!

3. Desensitize your dog to the car. You may need to start by just getting your dog okay with being around the car, then move in the car with the door open, then close the door. Then desensitizing them to sounds of windshield wipers, turn signals, honking, and more. Once they are comfortable with that, go on a really short drive. Then you can slowly increase duration!

Check out our video with Amber Aquart in Pupford Academy for tips on car safety and desensitization! 

4. Practice good "car behavior." While in the car make sure to reward good behavior. If your dog is calm while in the car, reward that! If you honk a horn and they remain calm, do that! Be sure to reward the good!

While car sickness can be more common in puppies than adult dogs because their eardrums haven't developed all the way, it can still happen as an adult dog. 

Here are some signs your dog could be experiencing motion sickness:

Things you can do help with car sickness in dogs:

Open up the window slightly for a little breeze

Limit your dog's food consumption prior to travel

Ask your vet about medications for your dog

HOW DO I MAKE MY DOG COMFORTABLE IN THE CAR?

As we mentioned earlier, desensitization can be really helpful here! Familiarize your dog with the car before setting off anywhere. Go in the car with them, give them treats, and praise them.

They may need some time to become comfortable here, so try this multiple times (maybe even daily) for longer periods of time each time. Then when they are doing better, take them somewhere close like a park or on a hike; then work up to longer rides.

EXTRA WAYS TO KEEP YOUR DOG BUSY DURING CAR RIDES

Dog chews are a seriously powerful tool for keeping your dog busy during car rides.

Whether they are a powerful or casual chewer, proper chews can keep them happy for extended periods of time.

We carry a range of Yak Cheese Chews, Beef Tendon Chews, Bully Sticks & Split Elk Antler Chews.

Check out our full line of chews, part of the Engage Line here.

7 Tips for Road Trips with Dogs | Pupford