• Planning a vacation with your dog is now easier today because there are now many hotels, motels and restaurants that accommodate visitors with pets. You can check online for several great vacation destinations you can go to with your dog. Before making any plans it is always a good idea to check with the hotel you plan to stay at if they can accommodate your furry best friend.

• Once you have confirmed a reservation with your hotel and they are able to accommodate you and your dog the next best thing to look for would be pet friendly places on that area. You can check whether your destination has a nearby dog park, national park or even restaurants that you could go to with your dog.

• Try to plan as many pit stops as possible on your road trip with your dog. Planning a good route to take and mapping out all the rest stops would make the road trip less stressful for you and your dog. Remember that the goal of your dog friendly vacation is not to get there as fast as you can but to get there with less or no stress at all.

• Before going to your destination it is a good idea to take your dog to a vet first to see if he or she is healthy enough to travel. It is highly advisable to have his or her vaccinations updated as well. It is very important to keep your dog physically healthy for the journey you are about to take. During your car travel, your dog will be dealing with physical challenges that are not part of his daily routine so he needs to be in top shape for your vacation.

• Even if you are really careful there is still a chance that your dog might get lost during your vacation. It is very important to have your pet wear a dog collar with an ID tag at all times. You can either print or engrave important information on your dog’s ID tag like your cell phone number and your name.

• The best and safest way to travel with your dog is by car. You can use a dog crate or dog car cage suitable for the size of your dog or better yet a dog seat belt so that you can securely fasten your pet at the back seat.

Traveling with your dog can be one of the most memorable experiences you would have. Be sure to follow these simple tips to make your dog friendly vacations stress free and more fun for you and your dog. Remember if you plan and prepare correctly your vacation with your dog can be very rewarding.

Remember that traveling means a change of scenery for both of you. With some dogs, this change may require a little time to get adjusted. After all, he’s away from his usual surroundings.  He will be encountering new people. He has to put up with your musical tastes all day in the car. To ease his fears, bring some familiar things,  few of his favorite toys and blankets.

Make sure to plan bathroom breaks for your dog during your travels. You need to plan for parks, rest areas or other places good for a dog. Bring appropriate supplies so no mess is left behind.

Make sure your dog is ready to travel. Make sure your dog is wearing a flat collar, with ID tags for both his home address, and any temporary address you might be using. Bring a leash — and make sure the collar fits well, so there are no escapes! If you’re both paranoid and neurotic, or just plain prone to bad luck, bring a good photo of your dog along, so you’re ready to make posters when he heads for the hills.

Some owners allow their dogs to move freely about the car, even allow their dogs to ride in their laps. This is not the greatest idea. A dog can distract  you, take your attention away from driving, leading to an accident. Even good dogs can provide momentary distractions. Plus, if your dog is unrestrained, in the case of an accident or sudden stop, she can easily be thrown around in the car  or even be thrown from the car. When traveling with your dog, always keep her dog restrained with a car harness, crate or barrier.

And don’t leave your dog alone in the car, even if the temperature is cool.  (Temperatures in a car can rise as much as 20 degrees higher than the outside temps.) A dog left alone in a car may become bored or anxious, leading to destructive behavior. The dog might ingest something harmful and/or injure himself. Finally, a dog left in the car is at risk for becoming lost or stolen.

Got a road trip coming. Traveling with a dog can enhance the trip and with a little planning will be fun for both of you!

Consider, since humans  have to wear seat belts in cars, it only makes sense for out pets to wear them too.  If you are concerned about your dog’s safety in the car, you might have already thought about a dog seat belt.

Here are some of the things that need to be taken into consideration when selecting the right seat belt for your dog.

• The seat belt that you opt for should fit your dog comfortably. Sizes usually range from small to extra large, and will be determined by your dogs weight. Most dog car seat belts will fit dogs up to about 180 pounds, but keep in mind that it will depend mainly on the specific product.
• Look for a harness that fits your dog well. Wide straps and padding in the dog’s chest area will help alleviate damage from the impact.
• Make sure the dog harness attaches securely to your car’s seat belts. The tether that connects the harness to the car’s seat belts should be as short as possible. This limits the distance a dog would be thrown if there were a sudden stop.
• Try to find out what tests the manufacturer has done with their own harness. 
• Dog seat belts should be easy to use. Most seat belts for dogs work by sliding through your regular car seat belt. They will attach to the dog’s harness. This is an important factor to consider.
• Do not attach a dog seat belt to your dog’s collar because it could lead to choking.

Securing your dog in the car is really important.  If you lost your pet in a car crash, or having your dog be the cause of a crash, is not something you ever want. Some pet owners opt for a dog car cages or crates or dog car barrier over a seat belt. Both do the trick in keeping your dog restrained and safe.  But if your car is smaller, a seat belt for dogs may be better fitting and more affordable.

OK first, what is a Dog Car Barrier?

You ever see this gate or cage like screen separating the front of the car from the back, especially in police cars and K9 police cars. That’s what you are seeing. A dog car barrier is a type of gate or mesh screen you install in your car to section off an area of the car. Generally, a dog barrier looks like a gate, only you install this gate in your car. The frame of the gate and the weave may be made of narrow metal tubing or wire or fabric like a net.

The main safety benefit of barriers is that they keep your dog away from you, minimizing distraction. They may also prevent your dog from becoming a projectile in a crash. A dog car barrier helps keep the dog contained in the car, however, there are still some risk. A cheap barrier can easy come apart in the impact of a crash. Even with a barrier that stays intact, the dog will still be thrown against it and around that area of the car. However, a dog car barrier is better than nothing .

You have a bit of variety with in-car pet barriers. Some need to be professionally installed and are permanent. Other types can be installed yourself and can be easily removed. Some are placed behind the front seats to keep a dog in the back seats. Others are placed behind the back seats in SUVs to keep a dog in the cargo area. Barriers may be rigid and made of metal or plastic; they may also be soft and made of cloth or mesh material.

Dog barriers can be installed permanently or you can use a temporary one. Permanent installations require tools: you’ll need to drill to install braces for the frame and screw in parts of the brace into the ceiling or sides of the car frame. Temporary/or non-install braces may work one of several ways. You have some that are held in place by tension-loaded spring-loaded poles. Think of a toilet paper roll holder. Some are held in place by stretching a mesh taut and held in place by straps that are looped around parts of the car like the headrests, the seat brackets or dry cleaning handles.

As mentioned, a barrier is better than nothing, but not as good as a harness or crate. Owners of large dogs generally like a barrier. Getting a large crate in a small car can be a challenge. And some owners may not be comfortable with the thought of confining a large dog in a crate that is less than roomy for hours. The barrier can be a more comfortable situation, but still not the safest.

How best to make a barrier or a barrier-ed area safe.

1. Take out any unnecessary objects out of the area and take out any hard objects.
2. Don’t make the area too large
3. Make sure the barrier is strong enough for the size of your dog
4. Make sure the barrier is installed securely. If it can’t be installed securely, return it! It is more dangerous than not having one installed because now this is an extra object that could injure your dog, you and your passengers in the event of driving trouble.

Dog car barriers are better than nothing and a great way of keeping your dog safe when traveling.

Car travel with dogs takes much more than just opening the car door for your pet and letting him ride with you on your journey. Many dog owners fail to realize the importance of preparation and safety when car traveling with their dogs. Here are the top five tips every dog owner should follow before and during car travel with dogs:

1. Plan and prepare. Dog owners would need to plan and prepare for their car trips with their dogs. Whether it will be just a short trip or a long road trip we need to make special preparations for our furry companion. If you are planning a long road trip, try to check for dog friendly accommodations for you and your dog to visit and enjoy. For both long and short trips safety of our furry passenger should always be prioritized. Get your dog a car cage or a dog harness that attaches to the seat belt latch at the rear seat of your vehicle.
2. Make an appointment to the vet before your road trip with your dog. It is very important to make sure that our dogs are very healthy before we go on a long road trip with them. Try to check and update his vaccines with the vet. A healthy companion on your road trip will make the journey less stressful and pleasant for you and your dog.
3. Remember to pack and bring all the important things your dog would need on your road trip. Important items like a dog collar, leash, chew toys, medications, treats and dog food should always be packed and brought along on long road trips with your dog. Bringing all these important items will help save you worries in case your dog would need them.
4. Use some restraint on your dog when you car travel with them. Many dog owners fail to realize the need for safety when car traveling with their pets. Dogs and other pets would need to be securely restrained in a harness or a cage when riding a car. Many dogs get injured or die because they become projectiles when a road mishap happens or a sudden swerve or stop occurs.
5. When you begin your road trip with your dog, remember to take frequent road stops. This will help your dog cope with car sickness. When you take a break remember to take your pet outside the vehicle and let him do his “business” outside the car to avoid the cleaning inside your vehicle.

Car travel with dogs does need some preparation and planning for it to be very successful and stress free for you and your dog. Taking all the necessary preparations will ensure you a pleasant trip. So on your next road trip with your dog be sure to follow these top five tips.

Travel sickness in dogs can often be seen in puppies than older dogs. This is because the ear structures in puppies that are used for balance are not yet fully developed. This ear structures help dogs stabilize themselves and prevent car sickness. While in older dogs car sickness is primarily due to stress. If you only take your dog with you in the car to visit the vet chances are your dog is already associating car travel with the vet and this would cause him stress and car sickness even if you are not going to take him to the vet.

Some of the most common signs to check for to see if your dog is about to be sick in the car would be:

• Lack of activity
• Listlessness and Discomfort
• Whining and Excessive Drooling
• Vomiting

Now the best way to treat and prevent travel sickness in dogs is to make the car ride as comfortable as possible for them. It is best to train your puppies and dogs to ride in the car several times on short trips before taking him for a longer journey. This training will let your dog feel at ease in the vehicle and make him calmer when you ride with him. Another great trick to avoid car sickness in dogs is to secure him in the backseat of the vehicle facing forward while you are driving. The restraint will help your dog be more stabilized; securing him facing forward will prevent nauseating visual cues. Lastly it is always best to refrain feeding and giving water to your pets an hour before you travel with him in the car. A dog’s full stomach will easily get upset with the motion of driving in a vehicle. Car travel with dogs is always fun especially if you know how to safely and properly do it.

Dogs can’t say, “What’s going on? I’m scared!” A dog’s response to scary and unknown situations can look aggressive, vicious, or irrational to us. To make matters worse, people often telegraph their own anxieties, which just adds fuel to your dog’s freak outs.

How do you know if your dog car sickness is from nervous tension? He or she paces the entire time you are in the car. Does she whine? Does he hide and refuse to come out? Does she throw up? These are signs he or she is having trouble with the ride.

Canine fears require intervention on our part for the dog’s well-being, for our own sanity and for safety’s sake.

Cures for Anxiety

1. If a dog is anxious about traveling, try relaxing them long before the car ride. A few minutes of massage can soothe your pup better than sedatives.
2. Let your dog get in the car and sit in the quiet open car 10 minutes before going on the trip.
3. Bring a few of his favorite toys and blankets.
4. Plan bathroom breaks.
5. Traveling can be a traumatic experience for some dogs. If his or her car sickness is more about anxiety, it may take time, but you can do some exercises to change their reaction. Start with just letting the dog set in the car not moving, doors open. Start with 5 minutes. Don’t go anywhere and when done make the experience positive with a rub or afterwards a treat or play time. Then take short 5 minute rides and back home give rewards. Then, then try longer rides to pleasant places like the park or a friend’s house.
6. You can try certain herbs to help calm your dog before a trip. Chamomile works as mild sedative. Give your dog chamomile tea, or mix chamomile in with their food. The scent of lavender has a calming effect on people and animals—try some lavender essential oil on a cotton ball in the area where your dog sits. Valerian root is a little stronger, you can mix the powder from the capsules into your dog’s food, or you can brew a tea for him to drink.

The thing about anxiety is that you do have a chance to the change the dog’s behavior by changing the stimuli and your response. With patience, you can work through your dog’s travel sickness and both of you start enjoying road trips.

The first thing to consider is whether the travel or motion sickness in your dog  is more psychological or physical. You want to try different remedies depending on the reason.

If your dog seems anxious (pacing, shaking, hiding, yelping, whimpering, etc.)  in the car, you can try certain herbs to help calm your dog before a trip. If your dog gets so worked up, throwing up in the car may be one way they show it.

Chamomile works as mild sedative. Give your dog chamomile tea, or mix chamomile in with their food. The scent of lavender has a calming effect on people and animals—try some lavender essential oil on a cotton ball in the area where your dog sits. Valerian root is a little stronger, you can mix the powder from the capsules into your dog’s food, or you can brew a tea for him to drink.

If your dog rides calmly, the problem might more physical, specifically, a sensitivity in the inner ear that throws him or her off balance easily.  You can see about medication to help your dog. Ask your vet about over the counter meds like Dramamine which is safe for most dogs. Consult your vet first for the proper dosage and to make sure it’s okay for your pet. Give your dog the meds an hour before trip. Your vet may prescribe something stronger if that doesn’t work. Just know that they tend to cause drowsiness so plan accordingly.

Sedatives are sometimes prescribed for long trips or dogs that suffer from severe travel sickness. In general, though, they’re not a good idea. They can actually make it harder for a dog to adjust to travel, and can worsen other medical problems. If you’re not sure, ask your vet.

Not a pleasant thought and not something you’re likely to do.  It’s not good for dogs either.

I know, I know we have this iconoclastic image of a fun ride for the dog, head hanging out the window, panting, enjoying the air. But it’s bad for him for all the same reasons it’s bad for us or our kids.

• If your dog’s head is out the window, any number of things can hit them in the face and injury the dog: flies, bees, road debris, pebbles and rocks, glass, lit cigarette butts, etc. I once had a boot whiz past my window that the car in front of me back tire hit and spit up. But I don’t ride with the dog’s head out the window!
• They really can’t duck or avoid even something large something flying at them even if you are driving 30 miles an hour.
• Your dog’s eyes, nose, and ears are especially sensitive in the first place, you don’t want to risk injury.
• It’s not just flying debris that’s a danger. You don’t want your excited or distracted dog jumping from the car if the ‘right’ reason comes along.

If you insist on letting your dog have his or her head out the window, at the very least invest in a pair of dog google, or Doggles, which provide protection from foreign objects, wind, and UV light.

If your dog is young, try to get your dog used to traveling at an early age. This can prevent the anxiety associated with traveling. Have him sit in a stationary car when he’s a puppy. Then, go on short trips, until he’s used to the routine.

If know your dog gets sick, the first thing you want to try will be withholding food and water at least an hour before a trip.

If your dog’s car sickness is more about anxiety. psychological, it may take time, but training and associations can change their reaction. Start with just letting the dog set in the car not moving, doors open. Start with 5 minutes. Don’t go anywhere and when done make the experience positive with a rub or afterwards a treat or play time. Then take short 5 minute rides and back home give rewards. Then, then try longer rides to pleasant places like the park or a friend’s house.

Also try, before going for a drive, having the dog just sit in the open car for 5 minutes before even turning on the car.

If the causes are more physical, try positioning the dog differently in the car. If your car is big enough try different areas of the car. Either way, try facing the dog in different directions or even limiting visibility to see if that helps with her or his nausea.

Some dogs don’t get car sick if in a crate that is on the floor where the dog cannot see the world racing outside the window at 70 mph. Facing forward in the car and looking out the front window will make some dogs very car sick, but on the other hand actually helps alleviate car sickness in other dogs. And some dogs do best facing a side window or facing the back window. The thing is that you may need to experiment with placing your dog in different areas of the car and see if that helps.

Travel sickness in dogs occurs differently for different dogs so use patience to try different things to help relieve him or her.