Going on Holiday with your dog

Tiny flexible, curious dogs make great traveling companions. Little terriers and small Schnauzers, Poodles, and Pugs make wonderful globe-trotters. Bigger dogs like to protect the house and give you an enormous welcome when you come back. But there are always exceptions in every case due to their personalities.

If you're working with an adult dog who is unused or scared of vehicle travel, you will have to make a regular coaching project out of it. An unsecured pet can distract you while driving or meddle with the operation of the car.

Too many unsecured pets have leaped from a moving car and been fatally wounded, when a carrier or tether might have saved them. Vehicle seats and containment seats are now available and can be secured with your present seat belts, and some kind of restraint is being considered imperative by many states and municipalities round the country.

Before you travel ensure your dog is properly ID Tagged, as many pets can become separated from their owners while traveling. Nearly all kennels, vets, and animal infirmaries have scanners that may read these little implanted chips that are registered into nation-wide data bases with the animals home address and name. The process is cheap, fast, and permanent. You should ensure that your dog has had all his vaccinations recently, and get a current health certificate from your vet. For more information, check out this excellent resource on pet care.

The following is a catalogue of items that should include as a travel kit for your dog : - An additional collar - A strong leash - Wet towelettes - His food - Treats - A sealable container of water - A gnaw toy - All needed drugs and supplements - Brush or brush - An old towel - Plastic bags on the trip your pet will need access to water continually, exercise, and breaks to stretch and relieve himself, and comfy temperatures. Never leave a pet alone in a vehicle particularly in hot weather, when exposed to high temperatures, dogs can have a heat stroke.

Hopefully it won't come to this; but signals of motion illness include whining, barking, pacing, salivation, panting, and barfing. To conquer these conditions, limit their perspective out of windows, stop often, and again, do not let them become overheated. Before you leave home, clip or trim your dog's nails, brush out all loose hair, and feed him lightly, never a big meal. Call ahead and ensure your pet is welcome at your destination, as many hostels and motels don't permit pets. Have a great trip!