Taking Your Doxie On A Road Trip: The Facts

Taking your Dachshund on a road trip can either be a good or bad experience. If you want to make sure it’s the former, then you need to know some things before you hit the road.

Safety Is Your #1 Priority

You probably have heard this before, but let me say it again, “safety first.”

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There’s no secret that a lot of people get injured and even killed while traveling on the road. You definitely want to take extra precautions, especially if you’ll be traveling with a doxie.

Dachshunds are known to be active, energetic, and adventurous. So, you should take extra precautions.

First off, you need to restrain your pooch with crash-tested products. While it is tempting to let your dog move around inside the car, it might not be a good idea.

For one, you don’t want your dog to distract you while driving. You also don’t want him to jump out during a quick stop or stay on your lap. Those things are dangerous.

Safety restraint may include dog crate, tether, barrier, dog car seat, and harness. These will not only help your dog to stay in one place, but also keep him safe in an event of an accident.

The least that you want to happen is to look away and find your dog missing. While you don’t want your dog to get away during a quick stop, it could happen. So, just in case, make sure you keep your dog’s ID tag readable and up-to-date.

Motion Sickness

You probably don’t know but dogs can also have motion sickness. This is something you definitely don’t want to happen as it may cause weakness, nausea, and worst, vomiting.

There are a few things you can do to suppress or completely eliminate motion sickness. The first is to take them for a few trips. This should help your dog to get used to traveling. Next, make sure you don’t feed your dog with one large meal before you leave. It is better to give smaller meals or snacks all throughout the travel.

Some pet owners consider using sedatives and some drugs. If you think this is needed in your situation, discuss it first with your vet.

Make Regular Stops

Don’t forget that you’re not traveling alone. Even if you’re used to traveling continuously for a long period of time, your dog might not be able to endure it.

So, it’s best is to stop every two to three hours. This will help your dog feel relaxed and break the monotony of traveling. Not only that, but stopping every once in a while could give your dog time to pee or go potty and stretch and keep the blood pumping.

Check Your Dog’s Condition

Before you take your Weiner dog for a trip, make sure that he is in good condition. If he is sick, then it is better to postpone your trip. If your dog has a medical condition, depending on what condition that is, make the necessary adjustments. Talking to your vet would also be helpful and ensure that he is fit to travel.

Bring the Necessary Things

Food and water are both important supplies you need to bring with you. You will also never know when a first aid kit would be handy. So, bring one with you just in case.

Have your dog’s vaccination and medical record with you. If your dog needs to be boarded for a few hours or a day, you will be asked for his records. Leash and collar should also be brought in case you need to take your dog for a walk.

Other things you should bring include treats, toys, a blanket, a portable bed, doggy waste bags, medication your dog is taking regularly, flea or tick control, and others. One of the most important, but overlooked items to bring on a trip with your Dachshund is a car ramp. Getting in and out of the car and up and down the stairs can put a lot of strain and stress on your joints, and your Doxie’s back. Because of their elongated spine, they are the dog breed most suspectable to IVDD. 

Plan Ahead

Planning is a vital part of your travel. It helps you set expectations and prepare efficiently for what’s to come.

For example, you need to make sure that your destination is pet-friendly. If you’ll be around a lot of other unfamiliar people, be sure that your doxie isn’t scared or anxious. Moreover, determine how long your travel would be, when and where you will take a break, the condition of the road, the forecasted weather, and a lot more.

Be sure as well that your car is in good condition. Being on the road with a broken car and a bored dog could lead to a lot of trouble.

Final Words

The success of your trip depends on you. So make sure you take into heart the tips mentioned in this blog.

If you have questions, you can also talk to your vet. He can surely provide more details and information. You can also do your own research to learn more about how you and your adorable dachshund will have the best road trip of your life!