If you’re reading this you probably agree that dogs are AWESOME…
They’re simply amazing pets because they’re protective, caring, and friendly…
And when you first bring home a new puppy, you realize very quickly that your life will never be the same…
I say this because you’re going to have to do things like making sure your pup gets fed healthy food, that he learns how to go potty outside, and that he’s trained how to be obedient…
And you also might find yourself going out less often just because you want to spend more time with your fur baby…
That being said, there are times when you’re going to need to travel or when you just want to take a vacation to recharge…
And the thought of leaving your pup behind can be devastating, especially when you develop a deep connection…
So if you’re traveling with an 8 week old puppy or really any other aged doggie, this article is going to guide you through the process of traveling with your little fur baby…
We’ll be covering what to if you’re traveling with a new puppy by air, by road, and by rail in this article…
And hopefully by the end, you’ll feel comfortable enough and confident enough to take you dog with you regardless of whether you’re flying in an airplane, going on a road trip, or traveling by train…
What To Do Before Traveling In An Airplane…
For many people, traveling in an airplane can be a pretty frightening experience, especially the first time they do it…
This can be true for your puppy as well, so keep in mind that this process may cause him some anxiety…
In addition to that, there is a lot that will be required from you before you’ll be allowed to travel on an airplane with your pup…
So to avoid all the unnecessary hustle, it is advised that you shouldn’t travel by air with your dog unless it is in a necessary situation, like relocating or long vacations…
But if you do have to take your pup along with you, below is a list of things that you should have in place before traveling in an airplane with your puppy.
Health And Safety Of Your Puppy…
If you plan on traveling with your pup, you should consider visiting your vet to confirm that your little fur baby is in perfect shape to travel with you…
Once your puppy has had a check up, here are a few other things that you should pay special attention to…
First of all, ensure that all your puppy’s vaccinations are up to date before you travel. This is something you’re going to want to do for a couple of reasons…
Number 1, it helps protect your puppy and keeps him healthy as he travels. And number 2, many airlines will require that your puppy be fully vaccinated before allowing him to go on a plane…
Secondly, ensure that you have the contacts of the nearest veterinary clinic to the place you will be spending your time when you arrive for vacation…
This will help give you some peace of mind because if your puppy does need any attention, you’ll already know exactly where to take him…
Another option is to sign up for a service that gives you online access to a veterinarian in minutes…
You can Click Here For The Online Vet Service that I recommend. I like it because it’s affordable, easy to use, and you’re able to chat with a vet about pretty much anything in minutes (24/7)…
It’s also a good idea to keep in contact with your regular vet, and you should let them know if your dog does end up needing to make a visit to the veterinarian during your trip…
Third, it’s a good idea to bring a supply of your puppy’s normal dog food as you’re traveling, and you can also purchase more of it when you end up reaching your destination…
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You should also bring plenty of bottled water for your puppy to drink, which will help keep him hydrated, and don’t forget to bring any vitamins or medications if your dog requires it.
A Crate For Your Puppy…
You will want to contact your specific airline to inform them that you’ll be flying with your puppy…
But a dog crate is a requirement for traveling by air because it will obviously prevent your pup from wandering while on the plane…
That being said, not all crates are made equal and not all will be accepted by the airlines. So a standard crate should have the following…
- Enough room for your pup to stand, comfortably turn around, and lay down when he gets tired.
- Well-spaced ventilations on opposite sides to allow enough circulation of air for your puppy.
- Strong handles and grips which will make it easy to carry around.
- A leak-proof bottom that includes absorbent materials for any accidents.
- A label indicating a live animal, and the label should clearly display the owner’s name, address, and phone number.
Identification And Dog Recovery Strategy…
It’s a hard thing to think about, but it’s also a good idea to be prepared just in case your dog wanders off or somehow gets lost…
So if you do find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you’ll want to make sure you have the following items …
The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure your puppy has a collar on showing his name, your name, your phone number, and your address…
You might also want to consider fitting a microchip onto his collar and connecting it to your phone or mobile device…
Last, you’ll want to keep with you a recent photo of your puppy, so you can show exactly what he looks like…
What To Do When Traveling By Road…
Road trips are exciting. The beautiful scenes, the views, and the excitement can make for a fun trip even before you arrive at your destination…
But as you probably know sometimes road trips can get a little dull. Just as we humans can get a little bored in a long car ride, the same is true for dogs, especially puppies…
They can become irritated and frustrated, so you’ll want to do your best to make the trip as comfortable as possible for them…
Driving A Long Distance With A Puppy – What To Do Beforehand…
Before taking your puppy on a long road trip, its a good idea to take him to the vet for a check up…
You’ll want to make sure that he is up to date on all his vaccinations, and that he’s in good shape to go on the trip…
You’ll also want to take a hard copy of your puppy’s health records, just in case you run into any issues while on your trip…
You can also start to prepare your puppy for the long road trip by taking short rides with him beforehand…
This will help get him used to the car so that the experience isn’t completely new during the long drive…
And you should also train your dog to stay in the car and wait for the command to be called out…
This can be very important for the safety of your pup because you definitely don’t want him running out of the car in an area where there is fast-moving traffic all around…
If you need help properly training your pup I recommend you check out Brain Training For Dogs…
I like Brain Training For Dogs because it’s highly effective, simple, and you can access the program from the comfort of your own home…
If you would like to learn more about how Brain Training For Dogs can help you properly train your dog to be well-behaved and more obedient, click the link below…
Last, if you plan on keeping your puppy in a crate for the drive, make sure it is sized properly and that the crate and your vehicle are well ventilated.
What To Do While On The Road With A Puppy…
When you start your trip, it’s a good idea to ensure that your dog hits the road on an empty stomach (depending on how long the trip is)…
This can help him avoid experiencing carsickness, but you will definitely want to give him some water to prevent him from becoming dehydrated…
You should also keep the windows of your vehicle closed during the trip because it will prevent things from getting in your puppy’s eyes and possibly causing some damage…
If you have a truck, make sure to find room in the cab for your pup too because you should avoid riding with him in the open truck bed…
Last, survey the climate of the area that you’ll be traveling through with your dog. If the temperatures are cold, carry a dog sweater to help keep him warm.
What To Do When Traveling By Rail…
Traveling by train with your puppy can also be a bit of a hectic process. Some railway services do not allow you to travel with your dog…
So be sure to contact your service beforehand to ensure that they will allow your puppy to travel with you…
Also, sometimes there is an extra cost involved, so just as when traveling by air, it’s best to avoid traveling with your puppy by train unless it’s something that you feel is necessary…
Now just as with the other methods of travel, you’ll want to take your puppy to the vet for a check up before traveling and make sure his vaccinations are up to date…
Again, you’ll also want to keep a hard copy of his medical records with you, and you should identify a vet that’s located nearby the destination you are headed to in case of an emergency…
You’ll also want to check in with your rail service to find out if they do in fact allow dogs to travel and if there’s an extra cost involved…
And don’t forget to look into other train services dog policies and costs as well particularly if you have a trip that will involve connecting trains…
In addittion to that, if you have the opportunity to introduce your pup to short train rides ahead of time…
…it could calm some of his anxiety and make the process a little easier before taking a long train ride.
And last, if it’s possible you should try to avoid traveling during rush hours because the movement and noise could also be something that causes anxiety for your puppy.
Traveling With An 8 Week Old Puppy – Final Thoughts…
Traveling with your puppy can make for a fun trip… And even though in some cases its best to avoid traveling with your dog, sometimes you just have to take him will you…
So if you’re getting ready for a flight and your puppy is coming along, be sure to have him checked out by the vet, and make sure you contact the airline to clarify any questions you have about their dog policy…
If you’re gearing up for a road trip, try to take some short trips in the car with your puppy ahead of time to get him used to driving around…
And if you’re traveling by train, again get your pup checked out by his veterinarian ahead of time…
And be sure to contact the service you’re using to ensure that you’ll be able to follow their dog policy…
Good luck! Safe travels! and I hope this article was able to guide you through the travel process and give you some tips for making the trip as easy as possible for you and your puppy.