Enny Sulivan
Winter Vacations With Dogs – I traveled 4,000 miles on a cross-country road trip with my dogs over the holidays. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned along the way so you can plan the perfect dog road trip.
Last Christmas, Brady and I decided to go back to Texas to spend the holidays with family. I chose to drive rather than fly because I wanted to accompany June and Margot. Driving abroad is no small task; Even driving down the road with the dog. This was our first dog friendly road trip with the girls.
Winter Vacations With Dogs
, from how to find pet-friendly accommodations to what you really need when traveling with your dog.
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We also learned that the girls are doing very well along the way. From a long journey to new places and experiences; Handled everything like an expert. It makes us really excited to take more road trips with the dogs this year to explore more of Northern California and Northern California.
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There are a few things to keep in mind when planning a cross-country trip with your dog. First of all, your dogs should be comfortable in the car. Make sure your dog is comfortable before going on a long drive, as most dogs can get restless or car sick. It includes a short driving lesson; This may include teaching your dog to sit in the back seat and working with a certified dog trainer to train your dog to sit comfortably in the car. Depending on what your dog is struggling with, you may also want to talk to your vet about motion sickness or anti-depressant medication. However, some dogs never enjoy driving on the highway; There are many people who do not like road trips.
Second, the best vehicle for cross-country dog travel is a reliable and safe car (Hecter). But it’s also a car with enough room for your dog to be comfortable. We have a 2022 Rav 4 Hybrid and absolutely love it. Gas mileage is amazing; This saves you a few dollars down the road and saves you time because you don’t have to stop for gas as often. There are vents in the back to keep the dogs comfortable, and heated rear seats that the girls will love in temperatures below 20 degrees.
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Also, there are two men; Perfect space for two dogs and all our gear. Consider this: If you have a small car and your backseat is full of gear, your dog won’t be comfortable on a long drive. I try to keep the back seat clear so both girls have plenty of room to snuggle up next to each other or stretch out a bit more in the room.
In addition to your personal luggage with clothes and toiletries. There are also some dog essentials to add to your road trip checklist. Besides the obvious (feed and food bowls, collars with tags and leashes, etc.), my recommended dog walking essentials are:
First, if your dog won’t get into a crate. Backseat covers are important for dog walking: not just for road trips, but for dog trips in general. I love the hammock style cover with a mesh center for such breathability. To make your dog more comfortable, you might consider making a nest with an extra blanket down.
Another is water. It’s easy for your dog to forget water while sitting in the back seat. I like to keep a small silicone water bowl to cool the water. It’s easy to walk around and get the girls to drink some water, boil the pot and put it on the gloves or on the floorboard.
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Although CBD does not replace anti-depressants, it does. Promotes relaxation and stress relief. I like to compare CBD to a soothing cup of chamomile tea or a cup of aromatherapy. It’s not a cure, but it helps keep the edge. I like to add some CBD to my daughters breakfast every morning. I think helping to relax on the road makes a big difference. Be sure to choose a quality CBD company that performs third-party testing on their products to ensure efficacy, like BakedBones. We use their 600 MG formulation and June and Margot take 50 mg a day.
It’s important to always have treats so you can reward every behavior you want to repeat. You can live comfortably in the next room, boldly explore a new hotel; You can repeatedly reward yourself with smelly walks. I love the freeze-dried foods from Vital Essentials; Because they are shelf stable, they are smelly and expensive. Chews are also great for helping your dog settle into a new place, so it’s a good idea to pack them. Chewing is relaxing and attractive to dogs, so it’s a great way to help them settle. We took these Pufford Bulletproof Sticks on the road and they have been lifesavers.
Give your dog something to sleep on at night. Even dog-friendly hotels and AirBnBs don’t allow pets on the furniture. Plus, good sleep is important for everyone, including your dog. Give them a cozy and intimate space and ensure a good night’s sleep for you and your baby. They brought dog donut beds that the girls slept in every night. They are super soft and easy to pack and machine wash.
The key to pet-friendly travel is planning ahead. This includes where you will stay and what you will do when you get there. It helps to identify dog-friendly areas in advance so you don’t end up in the fog. For example, many national parks are not dog-friendly, and just because a hotel allows dogs doesn’t mean they’re dog-friendly.
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When you’re first looking for places to stay, it’s helpful to look at Google and AirBnB. Google and Airbnb have very useful filters to identify places that allow dogs. For Google, this can be found at Google Travel > Hotels > Amenities. For AirBnB, when you fill out the “Who” section of your search, the number of pets you bring will be added.
Both traditional hotels like AirBnB and home rentals have their pros and cons. While AirBnBs are great (small and fun places, great places), they are more expensive when I factor in hidden fees (ie you can find places for less than $200, but after fees these places can reach $300 or more). There are often better amenities such as room service or restaurants; In fact, they might be a little more budget-friendly. It is best to look at both platforms and choose the one that best suits your needs.
How often should you stop on a road trip with your dog? Where you live the obvious answer is a petrol station. Gas stations make a great pit stop: you can get gas; Go to the bathroom; Your dog can go to the bathroom. Love’s travel stations are great because they often have fenced pet shelters. I’m also a big fan of private vacations. In my experience, rest areas have better facilities than many gas stations: for example, clean bathrooms; And more room for your dog to stretch his legs. RV parks may be another option if they allow public viewing.
If you’re looking for a nice place to kick back and relax from the car, try finding a Sniffspot on your way and renting one for 30 minutes or an hour. Helps your dog relax. This will give your dog less time to take off the leash when he is happy to walk or eat.
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Have you ever noticed how tired you are after driving all day, even if you are a passenger? The same goes for dogs. Many people (myself included) worry about their dogs getting enough exercise on the trail, but I’ve learned that rest and relaxation are actually more important. In other words, the girls do not have enough energy to get through the day – they stretch their legs a little, smell, chew and move.
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