Nothing puts a smile on my face faster than when my dog sticks her head out the window and puts her paws up on the edge of the door and feels the wind in her face. Here are five products that are needed when traveling with a dog that make it comfortable for the dog and for yourself.
Dog Hammock: Nothing was worse than when she was a puppy and wanted to be on my lap or my girlfriend's lap while on a road trip or just a simple trip to the store. It was fine when she was ten pounds, but at a healthy fifty-five pounds, she would be a little too big to be a lap dog. The hammock taught her to stay in the back seat, and it also came with seat belt buckles to keep her back there when attached to her collar or harness. In time, she learned that the back seat area was hers. The hammock also keeps mud, sand, and dog hair from being all over the seats, making it nice for when passengers want a ride since all that needs to be done is unclip it and put the hammock in the trunk.
Collapsible Bowl: I picked up a collapsible bowl, and it stays in my SUV all the time. Nothing is worse than cupping your hand and having your dog get two sips of water while the water from your hand goes all over the ground and not in the dog's mouth. I really like that I can keep one water container for both of us on long walks. On long road trips, it's nice to have a food bowl, and it works for that as well.
Dog Treats: My dog loves treats, and on long trips, it's nice when I can reward my dog for being the awesome little thing she is. Nothing is worse than being at a rest stop full of people, and she is all over the place when all I want to do is go to the bathroom so we can get back in the SUV and continue on the trip. When she knows there are treats around, she is on her best behavior.
Doggy Poop Bags: Nothing is worse than being "that kind of dog owner." It blows me away that something so cheap as a plastic bag and bending the knees to pick it up would be so hard to comprehend, but it's the world we are coming to. I will say this: I really like a thicker bag. A thin bag where you can entangle leaves, ice, snow, and end up holding doggy nuggets in one hand, and the leash in the other isn't what I want out of my day. Plus, you can get a 100-pack for cheap.
Documentation: This is one that is vital. If you were ever in an emergency or vehicle accident with your dog, the best thing to know is if you were transported to the hospital and your dog to the vet is knowing that your dog has all the proper vaccines or might be on a special diet or have a disease that requires medication. This information could save your dog's life. Maybe that's too extreme for you, but if I wanted to cross the border into Canada, for example, with my dog, I would need proof of rabies vaccine. All I have to do is pull out the paperwork and give it to the border guard. This documentation should be kept in your vehicle at all times. You do carry your insurance card and proof of registration with you while driving? Why not this?
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