Dog Road Trip: How to Travel with a Dog Cross Country

The summer is the perfect time to venture out and see the country and the great outdoors, and what better way to travel than with your pooch? From exploring quaint towns, to hiking forest or coastal trails, to taking photos of incredible landmarks, road tripping is just one of many awesome things to do with your dog this summer!

But you’re probably asking yourself the all-important question: How do you travel long distances in the car with a dog? Is it even possible? The answer? You bet! With good planning and the right gear, taking your pup along on your road trip can be easy and fun!

Planning is Key

When it comes to road tripping, it’s always better to be prepared, and this is especially true when you’re traveling with your canine pal. Not only will you need to ensure you know your route, but it’s also essential that you make sure anywhere you’re staying welcomes dogs and that you bring all your dog’s favorite toys and essential travel gear along as well.

Make Sure Your Dog is Up for the Journey

Before you travel any long distance with your dog, it’s important to make sure they’re healthy enough for the trip. It’s a good idea to get them checked out by a vet to make sure they’re up to date on all their vaccines and that they’re in good enough shape for any hikes or strenuous activity you might be planning.

Choose Dog-Friendly Stops

The last thing you want to do is plan to stop for a weekend at an awesome lakeside campground and then find out the place you booked doesn’t allow dogs. When in doubt, we definitely recommend calling ahead to ensure your dog will be welcome.

It’s also important to make sure you know about any rules that apply to the places you stop. For example, most state and city parks and lots of campgrounds welcome dogs, but they often have rules about leashes and picking up waste.

Bring All the Doggy Travel Essentials

Especially if your dog tends to move around a lot in the car or needs to stop often for walks and potty breaks, the right gear can make or break your trip. We recommend making a special list for your pup, separate from your own, to make sure you both have everything you need. Check out our dog travel checklist to get you started:

 

The stuff you need will depend on where you’re headed, but things like water and food bowls, leashes and harnesses, waste bags, first-aid supplies, and car seat covers — like the StayJax Non-slip Bench Seat Cover Set — are always road trip essentials.

Here are some helpful links:

• Backseat dog bridge
• Car-friendly toys
• Collapsible travel bowl
• Dog Harness
• Dog sunscreen
• Doggy bed
• Food and treats
• Hammock
• Nail clippers
• Pet first aid kit
• Seat covers
• Sturdy Leash
• Tailgate dumpster
• Waste bags

Safety First

The most important part of road tripping with your dog is ensuring the safety of both you and your furry friend. This is especially true during the summer months, when the air and ground are hot and you and your dog are more prone to dehydration, sunburn, and overheating.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind while traveling with your dog this summer:

• Stop regularly for short walks and, most importantly, water breaks.
• Always protect your dog’s paws from hot surfaces with wax (like the all-natural Protex PawZ MaxWax) or boots (like the LavaSox Summer Dog Boots).
• Make sure you have a safe and comfortable way of securing your dog in the car, especially when you’re driving on freeways or winding backroads; we highly recommend using a doggy hammock, backseat bridge, or harness to keep them strapped in and safe — the Kurgo Auto Zipline that comes with a leash tether is a fantastic option.
• Never EVER leave your dog in the car on a hot day, even for a short period of time.

Get Your Doggy Road Tripping Supplies and Other Summer Gear at King Duke’s

At King Dukes, we treat your dog like family, because that’s precisely what they are. Dogs love their humans and want to come with us wherever we go. Here at King Duke’s, we do our best to make bringing your dog along on your summer adventures not only possible, but fun and easy! 

Stop by our Beaverton, OR location or shop online and get everything your dog needs (or wants) this summer!