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Dog Travel Tips
By: Geoffrey English
Traveling with a dog
can be tough. Dogs can experience apprehension, over-excitement, dread,
nausea and downright fear when they are forced to travel. Some dogs
actually are nomadic in nature, and so might love to travel, but bark at
people or other animals, are restless, or attempt to escape while
traveling. Planning your trip carefully will enable you to relax and
enjoy your trip more fully, and enable your dog to be secure and happy
for the duration of the ride.
It is always wise before traveling to have your dog seen by a
veterinarian. This is especially true if you are traveling across state
lines or into other countries. Your vet will check for illnesses,
injuries or conditions that might preclude your dog from travel. Upon
request, your veterinarian will provide you with a certificate of
health, and a copy of your dogs' Rabies vaccination. These documents are
necessary to gain entry into other countries. While receiving
vaccinations, you should also ask your vet to vaccinate your dog against
Bordatella and parvovirus, as some areas that you may be traveling to
may have outbreaks of either or both.
If you will be flying with your dog, it is vital to have a clear
understanding of the airline's regulations concerning dogs. Most
airlines insist that you use only airline-approved dog crates, that your
dog's documentation be posted to the side of the crate, and that the
crate have 24-48 hours worth of food, and any needed medications. Beware
that a large percentage of airlines have the 80 degree rule: if the
temperature at any point along the flight is projected to reach eighty
degrees or higher, your dog will not be permitted to fly.
Traveling by car with your dog can be a lot of fun. Ensure that you have
all documents related to your dog on hand. Whenever traveling, be
certain that your dog has a sturdy dog collar on, with at least one
identification tag, and one registration or medical tag. The smart thing
for both you and your dog while being transported in a car is for the
dog to be secured. This prevents injury to the dog should you have to
stop abruptly, and it prevents the dog from becoming airborne and
smashing into you. It is not recommended that a dog ride in the back of
a pick-up truck unless he is in a crate that is secured to the truck
itself. Never leave a dog in a hot vehicle or crate.
Remember that when in the car, your dog should not be allowed to thrust
its head out the window, as airborne particles of any nature could cause
severe injury to your dog's nose, eyes, or ears. If your dog is a
nervous flyer or rider, you can obtain sedatives that aid in keeping
your pet calm and cozy. Throughout the entire trip, make sure to help
your dog feel as comfortable as possible; bring their toys and bedding
with you, and adhere to their otherwise normal eating, exercise, and
bathroom routine.
Do your research- educate yourself on places you may be able to visit
with your dog, and also the places that you cannot. Some state parks,
for example, do not allow dogs to be admitted. Many hotels, however, are
quite pet-friendly, and will even make special accommodations for your
dog.
Make certain that, when traveling with your dog, you take frequent
breaks. Dogs need to stretch and take time out from being cooped up in
the car, just like you do.
Geoffrey A. English is the Founder of GundogsOnline.com,
the internet's premiere online magazine dedicated tobird dogs. They carry a
large selection of products by brands such as
Tri-tronics,
SportDOG, Dogtra, and Innotek.Article Source:http://www.ArticleBiz.com
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