A Family Road Trip: 4 Ways to Keep Your Dog Happy

Your pet pooch is a much-loved member of your family, so it makes perfect sense that you wouldn’t want to leave him or her behind when heading off on a road trip. However, it can be difficult to keep a dog happy on a long car journey, and he or she might express sadness, stress, or frustration by barking, howling, or chewing at the seats.

Not only will a long car journey be unfair on your canine, but their behavior can also be a big distraction for a driver. Read on for four tips on how to keep your dog happy on a family road trip.

1. Take Your Dog on Short Car Journeys
Before you head off on a road trip with the whole clan, you should regularly take your dog on short car journeys, so he or she is used to spending a substantial amount of time in a car. This is especially important if your dog has rarely traveled in a vehicle or is often nervous when hearing loud noises. Short car rides will ensure your pooch is used to the sound of an engine, familiar with bumps on the road, and won’t be afraid of vehicles passing by.

2. Create a Happy Space
It is essential a dog feels both safe and happy during a journey, which is why you must aim to create a pleasant environment for your pet. For example, you should take a blanket or a dog toy in the car.

Also, you shouldn’t forget to take some nutritious treats for your dog to munch on during the trip. This is especially important for rewarding good behavior and enforcing the kind of good habits you’d like to cultivate. For example, you can trust your canine will love organic, nutritionally balanced treats from ceebeedoo.com, which can also help with anxiety, noise phobias, and nausea.

3. Exercise Before a Journey
To enjoy a pleasant car ride, take your dog for a long walk or even a run before a journey. If you can have some fun with your canine and tire your pet out before you set off, he or she will be less likely to be filled with energy and become boredin the car. The chances are that your dog will sleep some or all the way, or might be happy to lay down and enjoy the ride.

4. Regularly Take Breaks
The last thing you want is for your dog to grow bored and restless when you’re driving down a busy road or stuck in traffic. For this reason, you should review your route prior to travel to identify the best places to stop and take a break, which will allow your pet pooch to stretch his or her legs, have some water, and enjoy a toilet break.

While a break away will allow your pet to spend quality time with the family in a different environment, it is imperative to consider how you will keep your dog both calm and happy when traveling to and from your destination.