5 Tips for Summer Travel With Dogs

Summertime is a great time to grab the leash and head outside. Take your dog hiking, head to the beach or even a road trip with your dog, you can enjoy all of these, just make sure you're following these 5 tips for traveling with dogs in the summer.

With school days coming to an end, temperatures rising, and vacation plans being made, there is no doubt that summer is upon us. Summer, is a great time to spend outdoors with family and friends, and it’s also a great time to grab a leash and head out for a trip with the dogs. I like to take my dogs on the occasional road trip, to the local dog beach, and to the coffee shop for their favorite treat; a cup of whipped cream.

No matter where you're traveling with your dog, whether it's weekend away or just a trip around the block, while you’re enjoying the summer with your favorite furry pets, keep these things in mind.

Water: Just like you get extra thirsty and can get dehydrated in the heat, so can your dogs, maybe even more so. No matter what you’re doing outside, make sure to have plenty of fresh clean water for both you and your dog. I suggest bringing a travel pet bowl to make it easy. Remember, if you do take your dog to the beach, that salt water is not any more drinkable for dogs than it is for humans.

Toys: Dogs love to play with everything from balls, to sticks, to old ropes. They’ll take anything to get your attention and get you to play. My dog loves to steal socks because he knows we’ll chase him for it. When you head outside, along with the water and leash, you must also think about what toys to bring. Make sure to use toys that are specifically made for dogs. This will keep them from choking on small parts. By bringing toys with you, you’ll keep them from being harmed from something that was not meant to go in a dog’s mouth, that they might just find laying around.

Stay cool: With all this traveling, running, ball chasing, and frisbee catching, your pooch is bound to get hot and need a rest. Be alert for signs of fatigue and overheating. Remember dogs don’t sweat to cool off, so you must make sure they get some rest from the hot sun. Find some shade under a tree, or bring a pet canopy, and don't forget to bring a large umbrella for your own touch of shade.

Use a leash: Even though your dog may be well trained to stay next to you, if you’re in a public area that is not a designated dog area, you should always keep your dog on a leash. This will avoid your pooch harming themselves or someone else if they happen to get startled by strange noise or surroundings.

Fireworks: With Independence Day celebrations, sporting events and amusement parks, there is bound to be plenty of fireworks. While you and I may ooh and aah at the colorful displays in the sky, many dogs are terrified of these displays. Because of the loud noise of the fireworks your dog may become frightened and attempt to run from the noise. Unfortunately, many dogs go missing because of this, or worse get injured in their attempts to get away. If you don’t know how your dog will react to these sounds, you may want to keep them indoors so they will be safe and secure during the fireworks.

Spending time outdoors and traveling with your dog is not only great for their health, but it’s also great for yours. Fresh air, exercise, and a happy pooch is a recipe for a healthier happier lifestyle. 

Oh, and don't forget to bring those summer tunes with you to groove to!
♪Summertime, summertime, sum sum summertime♪
Enjoy the dog days of Summer and keep your dog safe and happy!

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