Prepare your dog for car travel

Introduce your dog to car travel slowly. Let your dog wander around your parked car and explore. Once your dog is used to the idea of the car, take him or her on short rides around your neighborhood, keeping a watch out for carsickness or skittishness.

If your dog continually gets carsick on rides, take him or her in for a check-up at the vet’s office. Your vet may prescribe medication or simply give you some tips for making the ride easier on your pup. 

While your pet may be well-behaved on car trips with you, if you ever need to hire a professional pet transporter, they may have a different experience. Make sure your dog is well-trained and well-behaved before handing him or her over to a stranger. Pet transporters are very experienced with handling different animals with different temperaments, but do your part and enroll Fido in a pet-training course before sending him off.

Get your puppy ready for the car

Before taking an extended trip with your dog, or sending your dog with a pet transporter, make sure you have the proper supplies. Don’t let your dog wander in the back seat; buy an appropriately-sized kennel or a car seat for your dog.

Pack these additional supplies with your dog:

• Their regular dog food
• Frozen ice cubes
• Food and water dishes
• A few toys
• Familiar bedding
• Collar, tags, and a leash
• Health records and the number of your vet