This article is taken from one printed in the August, 1997 issue of Your Dog newsletter.

Ahh, the open road! If you’re thinking of taking a vehicular vacation with Rover, be prepared to plan as much (if not more) for his trip as you will for yours.

First, honestly assess if your dog is "road ready" - that is, healthy, mellow, and well-behaved. Don’t take along a dog that’s ill, shy, nervous, or frail and elderly. Such pooches usually fare better at home with a pet sitter or at a well-managed boarding kennel.

Before you embark on your journey, be sure your pooch is current on all its vaccinations. Most states require dogs to be vaccinated against rabies, so bring your dog’s rabies certificate and make sure it wears its rabies tag. Also, ask your veterinarian about "special needs," such as vaccination against tick-borne Lyme Disease if you’re planning a trip to an endemic area. Also, bring along a copy of your dog’s medical record; it can help an attending veterinarian treat your dog if health problems develop away from home. And don’t forget to bring an adequate supply of all medication Rover takes on a regular basis and any necessary grooming supplies.

A set of trip-specific identification tags will reduce the chances of your dog getting lost. Buy separate tags that list the phone numbers for each of your vacation destinations or, if it’s more practical, the phone number of a neighbor at home who knows you itinerary and will be able to reach you.

If your vacation plans include vigorous outdoor activity with Rover - hiking or long Frisbee sessions on the beach - be careful not to subject your dog to more exercise than it’s accustomed to. "Precondition your dog before you leave or limit its exertion to customary levels while on vacation," cautions Dr. Robert Murtaugh, professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Hiking trails can pose "natural" hazards to curious canines, such as poisonous plants, snakes, and toads; porcupines; and skunks. The best way to prevent troublesome encounters is to keep your dog on a leash or at least within sight and voice-command range.

Even if your vacation plans involve more sedentary pursuits, you need to be aware of the dangers of excessive heat and humidity. Always provide your dog with a cool, well-ventilated environment and make sure it has unlimited access to fresh water. Curtail exercise on hot, humid days. And never leave your dog in the car in warm weather - even if you must substitute a drive-through meal for a leisurely sit-down dinner. If, despite your preparations and vigilance, an accident or injury befalls your pet away from home, check the local phone directory to find the nearest veterinary facility. Better yet, obtain referrals to veterinary clinics along your route from your hometown veterinarian, or contact the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society at (210) 826-1488 for a listing of emergency veterinary facilities throughout the country.

Laying a little behavioral "groundwork" will help your dog prepare for the social stresses of vacation travel. Since Rover will be meeting strangers (human and canine alike) along the way, he has to be well socialized. If he’s led a sheltered life, start to increase his neighborhood walks and visits to the park a few months before your trip so he can meet new people and romp with other pooches.

Acclimating your dog to riding in the car is another essential preparation step. If your pooch is not used to car outings, take several short excursions before your vacation, gradually lengthening Rover’s on-the-road time until he becomes a seasoned passenger.

Away from home, basic obedience is more important than ever. Be sure your dog responds reliably to commands like "sit," "stay," "down," and "come." If it’s been a while since Rover graduated from obedience school, spend a little time prior to departure reinforcing the basic commands. At the very least, be sure your dog is well leash-trained. Even if your dog is trained to heel off leash and come on command, it may become scared or disoriented in a new place and, if untethered, could dash out into a busy street or parking lot.

Creatures of habit, dogs appreciate consistency, especially in unfamiliar surroundings. Reduce travel-related disruption by making your dog’s traveling environment as homey as possible. For example, bring your dog’s crate, bed or blanket, and favorite toys. And take more than enough of its regular dog food and treats for the length of the trip.

Once you reach your destination, you can resume your dog’s regular schedule of feeding and exercise. But on driving days, try an altered chow-time schedule so your dog is more comfortable. If you normally feed in the morning, be sure your dog eats an hour or two before you hit the road to reduce the chances of carsickness. Some experts advise feeding a traveling dog its main meal after the day’s driving is done. Give Rover a chance to do his "business" before you start for the day, and, of course, make frequent "pit stops" so he can stretch and relieve himself.

With proper planning, you’ll increase the chances of a safe and healthy vacation. But, while making all those dog-related preparations, remember to plan for fun. After all, that’s the whole point of taking Rover along for the ride!

RESTRAINTS FOR ROVER

Sudden stops and traffic accidents pose a real threat to canine car passengers. So where is the safest spot in the car for you dog?

A sturdy, tied-down crate provides the best protection and also ensures that an overly affectionate canine can’t obstruct your vision or steering ability. But acclimate Rover to the crate well ahead of the trip so he views it as a desirable hideaway, not a prison.

If you have a large dog and no room in your vehicle for a suitably sized crate, you can try one of the commercially available doggie seatbelts. Or, if your dog is easygoing and settles down quickly in the car, position your companion on the back seat or the back floor. (Recent concern about children and airbags is another good reason to keep your dog in the back while you travel.) Also, do whatever you can to keep your dog’s head inside the vehicle. When dogs "hang out," they risk serious injury to eyes, nose, and ears

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Traveling With Your Pet- AAA Pet Book: 6 th Edition

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