It is a pet-crazy world we live in. Often, people treat their pets like children, and the thought of leaving them for an extended period of time is inconceivable. Luckily for pet owners, traveling with your pet is easier than ever. Here is some advice on how to give your pet the holiday with you that it so richly deserves. For this article, we’ll be focusing on cats and dogs. We apologize to horse owners everywhere, but that’s just a whole different ballgame.
First off, let's make this perfectly clear, you are correct, your pet is the
most loveable, fantastic, adorable creature on the planet. Of course you want
your pet with you when you leave home for any extended period. What
right-minded individual can handle the emotional turmoil of having to see their
pet look at them sorrowfully when they leave?
Traveling with your pet can be remarkably trouble-free if you do your
homework.
Know Your Pet
Pets are like humans in the sense that they are all different. Some dogs and
cats will go directly into a car, plane or small pet carrier and be as content as can be.
Some will completely freak out. Knowing how your pet responds to the stresses
of traveling will make things much easier.
Planning trips well in advance is always a good idea. You can get your pet
used to short, day trips to get them more used to traveling and to gauge how
they will react.
Fear of the Car
Pets tend to really enjoy car rides. Trying to imagine it from their point
of view, it must be an interesting, surreal experience for them. Some pets,
however, fear the car. Many pets will immediately show overt signs of
anxiousness when even being placed in a car.
There are no clear signs as to why a pet may have this fear, though some
like the theory that the pet has developed a negative association with cars.
Maybe when your pet sees a car, their mind immediately thinks of a trip to a
vet or dog shelter. Regardless, a proactive response by a pet owner can usually
steer your pet into the car with you.
As with many things involving pets, patience is the key. A deliberately
paced desensitizing effort will usually get your pet much more comfortable in
the car. Some techniques:
Get your pet used to the car by spending time with it around the car.
After a few attempts at letting the pet be around a parked car, it will begin
to not see it as a threatening area.
Make your pet view the car as a fun area. This can be
done with the use of treats. If there is one thing that pets will respond to,
it’s food. Once they begin to associate the car as a place treats may emerge,
the battle is almost won.
Do not force your pet into a car as it will just
reinforce your pet’s fears. Leaving a treat or your pet’s favorite toy in the
car with the door open will eventually persuade your pet to give it a look
inside.
When your dog is comfortable exploring the car, take
steps to get it ready for a ride. Again, patience is necessary. It may take
several tries to get your pet used to being in the car with the doors closed,
but from their, you can try starting the car and leaving it idle to get your
pet used to the engine noise.
Finally, when your pet is ready for a ride, take it
somewhere fun, like a park. Pets can and will adapt, and after your hard work,
you’ll find your pet excited about car rides.