Going places with your dog

Most dogs love to travel. So, if you thought that your dog didn't like travelling, you maybe wrong. However, some dogs may fuss and fret while they are inside a vehicle.

They may also want to stop occasionally to relieve themselves. If you provide them with water to quench their thirst, and make frequent stops so they can relieve themselves, you should be able to take them to the relevant destination with the minimum of fuss.

One thing you should keep in mind is that you absolutely must keep your dog on a leash during these stops on your way.

However obedient your dog may be at home, it may get restless during a journey and try to run away, without heeding your commands.

Some dogs also get car-sick while travelling, so another important point for you to remember before you set off is to cover your car seats with some rugs, towels or at least some polythene or newspaper sheets.

You can also prevent your dog from vomiting inside, by taking it on an empty stomach. Or else, you can get some medication from your veterinarian to ease your dog's discomfort.

Dogs also like to put their head out of the window and sniff the breeze when they are on the move. This is not a good idea however, as it could lead to eye, ear and nose infections from the dust, smoke and insects that may be in the air. It could also lead to accidents.

If your journey involves staying at some place other than your home, try to keep your dog in enclosed surroundings so that it won't go out and get involved in fights with other dogs in the area. Some dogs also try to wander home if they are in unfamiliar surroundings.

If taking the dog with you is out of the question, you can leave it with a friend or neighbour. Of course, your pet must be familiar with this person and well-behaved with him/her.

Besides giving it food and water, another thing they must be reminded to do is to provide your dog with some kind of daily exercise. One thing you must do when leaving your pet with someone else is to leave the address and contact number of your vet with them in case of any emergency.

Happy travelling!