Can you smell it? It’s not a mirage, it’s spring in the air, which means you and Gideon have finished your winter hibernation and are ready to get out and explore the great outdoors. Whether you’re heading to the nearest dog park or on a day trip to another city to see Gideon’s “grandparents,” traveling safely by car is a very important part of road travel.

Microchip and identification plate

Before you go anywhere in the car with Gideon, make sure you have a current ID tag with your phone number, address, and, if there’s room, your email address. In the unlikely but possible event that his dog tag falls off, make sure Gideon has a microchip. It is done in your vet’s office and takes about 30 seconds. Once the vet is done, they’ll give you a piece of paper with a barcode, a series of numbers, and an internet address. Upload your and Gideon’s information to the site and it will match the barcode on the microchip on his body.

We never anticipate that our dogs will be out of our presence, but it happens. To be prepared.

Start with short excursions, first

If Gideon isn’t used to traveling by car a lot, you’ll want to make this easy for him. Most dogs take car rides quickly and jump in the car and wait for you to roll down the window so you can stick your face out and get some fresh air. Some dogs get dizzy and some even get a little stressed. For your first ride, take it a few blocks away. Don’t be too quick to hit the gas and after a few blocks, drive him home and praise him. If Gideon is doing well, increase the length of the car ride and the speed each time. After a week or so, you should be able to hit the freeway with Gideon and drive the speed limit.

To pack or not to pack?

Even if Gideon loves the car, car rides, and sitting in the back seat without a crate, it’s a good idea to get him used to being in the car with a crate. While it’s safe to drive on local roads with a speed limit of 25 mph or less, the highway is a different story. Higher speeds and more cars increase the chance of accidents. Gideon won’t cooperate with the seat belt, so he will need to be carried for part of the trip. Once he’s back on the country roads, he’ll let him sit in the back seat with the window down just enough to get some air, but not enough to let his whole head slip out. He can be hit by objects flying past or thrown from the vehicle in front of you. Also, if he had an accident, or had to stop suddenly, which might just be a jolt if his body was in the car, it might end up with Gideon getting impaled if his head was out the window.

canvas bag for dogs

In addition to packing his clothes and toiletries, pack an extra duffel bag for Gideon. Inside your duffel bag there should be:

Any of Gideon’s medications
Hydrogen peroxide
animax
An extra leash and collar
Some clothing with your scent (the further away you are from home, the more you will appreciate it)
Your brush and/or furminator
Whatever you use to clean his ears.
A stuffed animal and/or a deer antler or a Kong
A wallet containing your veterinarian’s phone number, your cell number, an emergency contact number, proof of rabies and other vaccinations, and a list of any medications you take

water and food

It goes without saying that we all need water and plenty of it. Offer Gideon water frequently throughout his journey. He’s not home anymore, he won’t know what to do when he can’t find his water that you normally keep in. It is better to feed Gideon a light meal in the morning rather than a heavy one. Even if Gideon isn’t prone to car sickness, you don’t want to tempt fate by serving him a heavy meal before his big car ride. In case Gideon vomits, he can always give him some Dramamine, up to 2 mg three times a day.

Have fun!

Have fun and take lots of photos! Because walks and vacations don’t last forever; memories, however do!