On the Road

A lot of people love their cars almost as much as their Labs, so combining the two comes naturally. Preparing your vehicle and your Lab will make traveling a snap, even with last minute plans.

Know before you go:

• Research possible hazards such as infectious diseases, parasites, wildlife, plant life and any other environmental factors unique to the areas youll be traveling in.

• Research boarding facilities in case you need to unexpectedly board your dog on the road. 

• Get contact information for accredited animal hospitals in the areas youll be traveling in case you have to visit the vet unexpectedly while away from home.

• Check out the local dog ordinances for your destination. The city or county website should be able to help-ask to have the laws faxed or time permitting, mailed to you.

• Research dog-friendly activities in the area such as dog parks  and possible access to swimming, trail policies and even restaurants and shops that may allow dog visitors.

• Research accommodations that allow dogs. 

Prepare to go:

• Please be sure your Lab has learned the basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and quiet before you embark on a trip of any length.  This is necessary for your dog's safety and for your own sanity. Socialize them to as many different people and in as many different situations as possible well ahead of time. Make sure your Labs socialization is done gradually and in situations that are as controlled and safe as possible. Consider attaining a Canine Good Citizen certificate to show that your Lab is likely to be a good guest.

• Purchase a suitable restraint. A loose Lab in the car can be a dangerous distraction and hazardous not only to the dog himself, but to passengers and to other vehicles as well. Slamming on the breaks can cause a dog to go hurtling into the front of the vehicle, which could not only injure the dog and other passengers, but also prevent the driver from maneuvering safely. A restraint will also prevent your dog from jumping out when car doors are opened.

• There are benefits and drawbacks to both a safety harness and a crate. A safety harness, such as our " Roadie," is worn by the dog and is clipped into a rear seatbelt. They obviously take up less room than a crate and they may provide more restraint in the event of a crash. A proper fit is essential since dogs have been known to slip out of these harnesses leaving them completely vulnerable. They can make it difficult for your dog to get up and turn around without getting the apparatus twisted. A seat cover, like our handsome stadium blanket (shown in the " For the Lab Lover" section of our store) will help protect your upholstery from excess hair and dirt.

• A crate takes significantly more room in the vehicle and it will need to be secured properly to keep it from sliding into the drivers area. Equipping it with properly fitted bedding will create a den for the Lab and this confined space may provide a safe structure around the dog during a collision.

• Condition your Labrador to the restraint and to traveling in a vehicle. If using a harness, build a positive association with putting it on, adjusting it and taking it off by using a happy tone of voice and reinforcing with favorite treats. Do this in short sessions and work up to introducing your Lab to your car. If using a crate, build a positive association with that space by setting it up in your home and conditioning them to it there first. Plan their first trip when they have an empty stomach and reduce their water consumption in the hour or so before you go. Start with a 5-10 minute ride, depending on how anxious your Lab appears to be, and NEVER make their first ride in the car a trip to the vet! If carsickness is a problem, your Lab may benefit from natural calming substances and being positioned where they can see out.

• Acquire several temporary (write-on) tags to add to your Labs collar. Fill one out with contact info for your destination AND use additional tags for wherever you stay along the way.

• Consider packing a permanent travel bag or container for your Lab with all the necessities. Keep it stocked and ready to go. A lot of people keep their vehicle equipped for daily travel with their Labs and enjoy their companionship at work or while running errands. One Lab we know has been invited into some very unusual places including a dentists office, a hair salon, a literary lecture, an orchestral performance of Beethovens Ode to Joy and even a funeral parlor!

• Condition your Lab to the level of exercise you plan on engaging him in on vacation-dont make his first hike a 10 miler!

• Take your dog for a check-up and tell your vet where youre traveling so they can help you prepare for diseases or parasites associated with those areas. (A Lyme vaccine may be recommended, for example.) If traveling out of state in the US or if traveling into other countries, your Lab will need a health certificate.

• If your Lab doesnt have some form of permanent identification, this is the time to consider a micro chip or tattoo along with a reliable registration service.

• Confirm your room reservations and the hotels pet policy-they may have changed policy since you made your initial inquiry or reservation!

• Bathe your Lab and trim her nails before staying in a hotel or someones home.

• Research the weather forecast for your entire period of travel-even if its just for a few hours! Unless you know for sure that you can take your dog indoors at your destination, better not to take him if the high temperature for the day may reach over 60-65 degrees F. Dogs cannot cool off like we do and heat stress, heat exhaustion and most dangerously, heat stroke, are not conditions to take a chance on! In some US states, it has even become a criminal offense to allow your dog to suffer from heatstroke. For those warm (but not hot!) days, consider a battery or solar powered fan and cooling packs that attach to a crate. Some people drape reflective emergency blankets over car windows and other openings to reduce the effect of the sun on inside temperatures. You may also need to consider extreme temperatures on the other end of the scale. Most Labradors can tolerate cold weather very well but puppies, older dogs and those not acclimated to cold weather may need to be left home or outfitted with a sweater or jacket.

On the go:

• While parked, provide adequate ventilation. On warm days make sure your vehicle gets a cross-draft (by opening windows on opposite sides) and crack the sunroof if you have one (and if the sun will not shine directly in on your Lab.) If your dog is released from his restraint during the time that your vehicle is parked, be aware that he may attempt to escape through windows that are left down too far. The possibilities of him being injured or getting lost are good reasons to use a safety restraint or crate. Parking in the shade will also help but if its too hot, its too hot, and parking in the shade wont help. Trapped heat in a vehicle can rise to temperatures well over 100 degrees F in a matter of a few minutes. If you have more than one person on a trip, you might take turns sitting with your Lab in the shade, outside of the car.

• Never allow your Lab to stick their heads out of vehicle windows while youre on the move. Yes, it seems like such a joy for them but its not worth the injuries that can result from flying debris or close encounters with tree branches or other objects.

• Never allow your Lab to travel unrestrained in the back of a pickup truck. A crate that is secured to the 
  bed of the truck is the safest option. Be aware that so-called truck restraints that allow the dog to roam back and forth on a tether will provide virtually no protection in a collision and if used with a collar rather than a harness they are likely to cause choking injuries or even death if the dog falls out of the truck.

• Plan regular potty and exercise breaks on the road-at least every 3 hours (more frequently for puppies or incontinent older Labs.)

• Keep your Lab on leash. This may seem obvious but remember that it is more important in unfamiliar areas where even dogs under excellent voice command may react unexpectedly to an unforeseen situation. A lead no longer than 6 feet is recommended to keep your dog within a controllable distance. When meeting other dogs on leash, be aware that some act more protectively or even aggressively when on lead. Be considerate of people who are afraid of or don't like dogs (thankfully they're in the minority) by keeping your Lab under control.

• If your Lab has access to a pool on your trip, be sure to show him where the steps are and keep an eye on him at all times, wherever he's swimming.

• Stick to your Labs routine as much as possible to reduce stress and make it a comfortable experience for him.