8 Must Haves For Easy Road Trips With A Puppy
Summertime is fun time for the whole family including the dog. It is the time to shake off the winter blues and get out to enjoy the outdoors while the days are long and warm. Summertime is beach time, park time, lake and mountain getaway time, and day trips and family vacations.
Summertime is one of the best times of the year when you can finally spend the time with the family. Who doesn’t look forward to a road trip to the lake for a day of fun, or the beach – after all that is what summer is all about? Over the years I have had many dogs, and made many trips and it really comes down to just a few things to really have a safe and memorable time that can be repeated several times over the summer without much pre-thought or planning.
I have found that the following basic items make all the difference, no matter where I am going on my trip. I have broken it down into the main road trips that I make including my dog, and the items that I find made life easier for all.
Car Preparation.
Protecting the upholstery of the car’s interior is a must no matter which road trip you are taking. Dogs are going to get grubby and grimy no matter what, and you do not want them destroying your car. I have found the following products to be the most useful for protecting the car.
Dog Seat Cover Waterproof.
This water-proof car seat cover is specially designed for your dog’s heavy use. It's made from high quality material to protect your car from dirt hair/fur nail scratches and water. It is easy to install, and is universal fit. Ideal for the car, truck or SUV, when you need to protect your upholstery from the damage your dog may do. It can be used in your car or in the home as a protective cover for chairs and sofas or anywhere that a protective cover is needed.
Dog Seat Belt
The item is a simple and practical pet safety belt leash, which is made of durable nylon and metal materials, and the ideal way to keep your pet dog safe and restrained in the car whilst travelling. The restraint could also double up as an emergency dog lead. With adjustable design and easy to use, it is really a wonderful safety seat belt for all dog breeds. It is an adjustable dog seat belt restraint and a must have safety item, to allow your pet to travel securely and safely in the back seat of the car or truck. Used in conjunction with a dog harness system, it allows the dog to be buckled in to an existing seat belt. It still provides some range of motion for the dog that likes to pop its head out of the window while traveling. But in the event of a sudden emergency stop, it will lock in place, thereby preventing the dog from flying forward and possibly sustaining an injury. Leave one in the car or truck at all times.
Road Trip To The Beach.
The beach is one of the most dynamic environments for a puppy. The air is salty and moist. The sand is soft under their feet and warm, but also cool and wet by the water’s edge. The ocean is in constant motion. I have not had a puppy yet that has not loved the beach and the fun to be had at the ocean. But depending on your clime the beach can be very hot also so over the years I have always found that the following essential products really do help to keep the puppy safe, and protected both while in the ocean, and lounging on the sand. As a general rule in any case, I always set up as close to the water’s edge that I can get. This reduces the risk of burning the puppy’s delicate pads on the hot sand, and allows the pup to romp about on the cooler wetter sand at the oceans edge.
Pop Up Beach Tent.
This beach tent pops up and folds down instantly, very convenient to use. It features mesh window for good ventilation, sand pockets for stability, extension floor for enlarged area. It is made from high quality oxford cloth and silver coated fabric to block the sun and rain. The included carry bag allows you to take it wherever you go, perfect choice for park, beach, camping, hiking, fishing, sporting events, and more Instant Automatic Pop-Up Beach Tent.
Waterproof Throw Blanket.
This micro-plush blanket will satisfy you and your pets with high quality. It measures 3 Feet long and 2.5 Feet wide, and is tear resistant and waterproof. Use it at the beach, at the park, in your yard. Also can be used in a cargo area of you SUV. Can also be used as a throw cover for a chair or seat that your dog has claimed as theirs. Great to use as a under blanket as a insulating layer between cold concrete or tile floors and your dogs bed.
Made of waterproof cloth that is easy to clean and keep fresh and hygienic.
Best outdoor blanket choice for your pets.
Water.
2.2 L Outdoor Big Capacity Water Sports Bottle.
With a whopping 2.2 L or 4.6 US Pints capacity makes this easy to carry sports water bottle a must for your trips to the park, to the beach, road trips and camping. Always have fresh water on hand. Easy to store in your car or SUV, with its unique shape. BPA free so will keep the water safe and fresh to drink.
With a whopping 2.2 L or 4.6 US Pints capacity makes this easy to carry sports water bottle a must for your trips to the park, to the beach, road trips and camping. Always have fresh water on hand. Easy to store in your car or SUV, with its unique shape. BPA free so will keep the water safe and fresh to drink.
This item is manufactured especially for pet use. Two bowls are connected by a zipper for convenient use. It is ideal for holding pet food and water. Made from premium material, it is waterproof, non-toxic and durable. With a buckle attached to the bowls, it is convenient to carry. Ideal for travel, beach activities, park, camping, and long road trips. Also great to carry in a backpack.
Dog Life Jacket.
High visibility colors, with multiple reflective strips give this dog life jacket high visibility. With an easy-grab handles lifting the dog in and out of a pool, or onto a boat is a breeze. The preserver comes with quick release buckles for easy fitting. The jacket design features outstanding flotation. Designed for a wide range of motion and top performance, this durable, rugged life jacket will stand up to frequent use and play in water. Great for the pool, the lake, the river, or while boating, will help keep your pet safe in the water. Not designed for rough water use.
Other useful items that I bring with me on a road trip to the beach for easy puppy care are some clean soft absorbent cotton towels for drying and wiping the dog down before getting back into the car. I also carry a human hair brush that I use to quickly comb through its coat to dislodge any sand.
Road Trip To The Lake.
The lake is one of those destinations that is made for summer fun. Unlike the beach, lakes can be placid or still, and the water can be warm at the surface. There can be plenty of natural shade from trees, and in general the overall dangers can be a lot less to deal with than at the ocean. I usually go to a lake that has restricted use. I do not like lakes that are water skiing meccas or magnets for party boats. I usually go to small family fishing lakes that attract less crowds. Even so I have found the following items to be necessary for the pup’s safe enjoyment of the water and surroundings.
- Life jacket or preserver.
- High visibility float toys.
- Throw blanket.
- Water and drinking bottle.
- Drying towels.
Road Trip To A River.
Rivers are great fun in the summer. The spring melt off is complete and the rivers that once were raging torrents of angry white foam have settled into a calmer meandering ease. I usually go to small rivers in the summer, and usually on the plains and well away from mountains. I find the water to be gentle and slow, and usually a safer option than in the mountain where the water can still be moving quickly. The grass around the river is high and lush and provides good protection and shade. And there is usually good timber growth that also provides excellent shade. Over the beach or the lake, a particular item that I carry is a fifty foot tie out leash.
That way as I am relaxing on a lounger, my puppy can still explore a fifty foot radius with ease without me having to worry about its safety. Other I also have,
- Life jacket
- Water and drinking bottles
- Clean absorbent cotton towels for drying.
- Coat brush.
- Throw blanket
- High visibility float toys.
One thing over the years that I do not bring as I have learned the hard way is dog food, dog treats, or kibble. I usually feed them well before leaving, and as I am only going on a day road trip, I also hydrate them well before leaving. I have found that if you snack them, or feed them while going, or returning from the trip, they easily regurgitate and throw up, as they are too excited about the whole thing. While at the destination, I will give them fresh water only.
Of course and without saying have a good quality harness and leash.
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