Ideas on keeping your dog entertained and calm, while travelling in the car
by Scotty Valadao - Canine Behaviourist, Founder Friends of the Dog
by Scotty Valadao - Canine Behaviourist, Founder Friends of the Dog
Holidays are always a great time, and as more and more people decide to take their dog with them, it is a good idea to keep them busy as much as possible. Here are some ideas for you:-
Regular Outside Breaks.
As dogs tend to get hot in cars due to their coats, and thereby drink more water, it is a good idea to stop at as many garages as you can. Most of the garages on highways have shade for your car and also a grassed or sandy area, where you can safely take your dog to do his business.
Don't just rush the toilet side of things, keeping them on lead, let them walk and smell all around the area for as long as it suits you. There are hundreds of scents in these areas, so they tend to provide 'reading material' for your dog. Mental stimulation is so important for dogs, and smelling/scenting tends to calm them down, and provides entertainment.
These short breaks will not only supply elimination needs, they will help stiff muscles from sitting, be a break from the boredom, plus always a good idea for the humans in the car to have a break and perhaps something to drink and eat!
Toys
Always try to offer a new toy which will be novel and provide entertainment, and if your dog has a favourite toy (or more), take them with you for when you arrive at your destination.
Soft Toys
Our favourite soft toys for travelling is any one of Aromadog range. These soft toys contain mixes of various Aromatherapy oils, and all are designed to help calm and relax a dog. As a behaviourist, I am continually suggesting them for dogs that are nervous, just adopted, or are afraid of storm and fireworks - they actually have specific soft toys with the appropriate oils inside.
Chew Toys
Not only can chew toys keep dogs entertained and happy, chewing actually helps a dog to relax. Look for chew toys that can be stuffed with different treats, and you can even give part of the dog's daily rations inside the chew toy. Some ideas are the Peanut Stuffer, Kong, Busy Buddy and any other top quality chew toy that can be stuffed.
Another great option for chewing is any of the dog chew toys that have the scent and taste of proteins such as chicken, bacon, steak etc - dogs are a lot more likely to enjoy chewing on chew toys such as these. My personal favourites are any of the Tough Toys Chew Range plus my own dog is very partial to the Dogwood Mosquite chew toy, which has a BBQ type flavour.
There are also the natural chew options such as Liver Chews type bones and chew sticks for dogs to get stuck into. Personally, I tend to avoid these, as not only can they make a mess in the car, larger pieces can be chewed off and swallowed whole - last thing you need on way to your holiday is a choking dog! Additionally, if your dog is not used to them, they can cause an upset tum - horror for travelling!
Puzzles
Puzzles where dogs have to concentrate and figure out where the food is hiding, are one of the most entertaining toys for a dog, and very easy to do in the car in the back seat. If your dog has not used puzzle toys before, then I suggest getting a simple one and teach him how to use it. They really are brain and make dogs think and entertain them, plus dogs love them.
Tricks
If you have never taught a trick to your dog, this is a great time to do so while sitting in the back seat with him - something quiet, such as Shake Hands or Say Hi, is a good one. Just make sure you have some nice treats with you that wont mess the car. I prefer some cooked chicken cut into small pieces (small enough that dog does not have to chew on it) or else, cutting up a Woolworths Smoked Chicken Vienna. Use what will motivate your dog.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday and do make sure you have everything for your dog you will need for travelling and your destination, as well as having attended to vaccinations and pest control.
As dogs tend to get hot in cars due to their coats, and thereby drink more water, it is a good idea to stop at as many garages as you can. Most of the garages on highways have shade for your car and also a grassed or sandy area, where you can safely take your dog to do his business.
Don't just rush the toilet side of things, keeping them on lead, let them walk and smell all around the area for as long as it suits you. There are hundreds of scents in these areas, so they tend to provide 'reading material' for your dog. Mental stimulation is so important for dogs, and smelling/scenting tends to calm them down, and provides entertainment.
These short breaks will not only supply elimination needs, they will help stiff muscles from sitting, be a break from the boredom, plus always a good idea for the humans in the car to have a break and perhaps something to drink and eat!
Toys
Always try to offer a new toy which will be novel and provide entertainment, and if your dog has a favourite toy (or more), take them with you for when you arrive at your destination.
Soft Toys
Our favourite soft toys for travelling is any one of Aromadog range. These soft toys contain mixes of various Aromatherapy oils, and all are designed to help calm and relax a dog. As a behaviourist, I am continually suggesting them for dogs that are nervous, just adopted, or are afraid of storm and fireworks - they actually have specific soft toys with the appropriate oils inside.
Chew Toys
Not only can chew toys keep dogs entertained and happy, chewing actually helps a dog to relax. Look for chew toys that can be stuffed with different treats, and you can even give part of the dog's daily rations inside the chew toy. Some ideas are the Peanut Stuffer, Kong, Busy Buddy and any other top quality chew toy that can be stuffed.
Another great option for chewing is any of the dog chew toys that have the scent and taste of proteins such as chicken, bacon, steak etc - dogs are a lot more likely to enjoy chewing on chew toys such as these. My personal favourites are any of the Tough Toys Chew Range plus my own dog is very partial to the Dogwood Mosquite chew toy, which has a BBQ type flavour.
There are also the natural chew options such as Liver Chews type bones and chew sticks for dogs to get stuck into. Personally, I tend to avoid these, as not only can they make a mess in the car, larger pieces can be chewed off and swallowed whole - last thing you need on way to your holiday is a choking dog! Additionally, if your dog is not used to them, they can cause an upset tum - horror for travelling!
Puzzles
Puzzles where dogs have to concentrate and figure out where the food is hiding, are one of the most entertaining toys for a dog, and very easy to do in the car in the back seat. If your dog has not used puzzle toys before, then I suggest getting a simple one and teach him how to use it. They really are brain and make dogs think and entertain them, plus dogs love them.
Tricks
If you have never taught a trick to your dog, this is a great time to do so while sitting in the back seat with him - something quiet, such as Shake Hands or Say Hi, is a good one. Just make sure you have some nice treats with you that wont mess the car. I prefer some cooked chicken cut into small pieces (small enough that dog does not have to chew on it) or else, cutting up a Woolworths Smoked Chicken Vienna. Use what will motivate your dog.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday and do make sure you have everything for your dog you will need for travelling and your destination, as well as having attended to vaccinations and pest control.
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