I would like to introduce to you my new friends over at Dog Fence Do it Yourself and also their staff Veterinarian, Dr. Susan Wright. They wanted to share with you their super pawsome Do It Yourself Doggie Fences and also Traveling with your Pet and Safety for your furry friends. This is a pawsome article. Hope you like it! Woof Woof.
This guest post is brought to you be Dog Fence DIY’s staff Veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright.
Dog Fence DIY will help you choose the right system for you and your pet, help you install it, and help train your pet to use the new system. Dog Fence DIY has a variety of different pet containment systems including the
Innotek IUC-5100 Check it out here —–> Innotek IUC-5100
Although most dogs will jump into the back of your car with their tail wagging, looking forward to the trip, that’s not always the case. Some dogs feel apprehensive about traveling in your car, and may in fact become quite ill.
If your dog isn’t a good traveler, you’ll need to take some time to get him used to a car trip. Start a few weeks before your planned trip, because it may take a while. Your first step is to walk your dog around your car, and give him a treat if he approaches the car for a sniff, or shows any interest in it.
Next, invite him into the car with you, and again treat him if he’s relaxed. The next step is to have him sitting beside you in the car, then close the doors and reward him. This is a slow process of desensitization that works well, but takes time and patience. Spend a couple of days working on each step, and don’t move on until your dog is happy with the previous step.
The next part of the process is to have him in the car, with the doors closed, then start the engine. Don’t go anywhere, just give him treats if he’s quiet. If at any time he becomes anxious, go back to the previous step and repeat it until he’s calm.
Finally, go for a short trip with your dog in the car, but make sure you go somewhere fun, such as the off leash park or the beach. These early trips must be short and enjoyable, so he develops a positive association with the car.
If he becomes nauseous, ginger can help. Either raw ginger, some ginger nut biscuits or a ginger capsule may ease his upset stomach. One 500mg capsule of ginger is appropriate for a medium sized dog. Sometimes a drop of peppermint oil on the tongue also helps. If your dog needs a more sedative effect, the herb Valerian can relax him for the trip.
Keeping your dog secure in the vehicle is critical for his safety. If you can fit a crate in the back of your vehicle, that’s by far the safest way to transport him. If not, then a harness attached to a seat belt is a good alternative. Don’t allow your dog to stick his head out of the window, because dirt and gravel can cause conjunctivitis.
If you’re traveling by plane, check your airline’s guidelines with respect to traveling with pets. Some airlines won’t fly your dog if it is too hot or too cold, so you’ll need alternative arrangements just in case this happens.
You’ll need to use an approved pet carrier or crate, with your contact details firmly attached to the side. If your dog becomes stressed, consider Valerian as mentioned above.
Put a familiar smelling blanket in the carrier, and instead of water, consider a bowl of ice cubes which will slowly melt. The bowl can be attached to the inside of the carrier so it doesn’t tip over.
When you book your flight, avoid flying in peak periods, where your flight may be more likely to be delayed. That will mean your dog isn’t left on the tarmac or in the baggage hold for any longer than necessary. Also, if possible, watch your dog being loaded onto the plane, so you know he’s not going to become “missing baggage”.
Whether you’re going to your vet or on vacation, it’s ideal if your dog isn’t stressed by the trip. Spend some time planning ahead and he’s much more likely to travel well and arrive at his destination happy and relaxed.
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