Taking A Labrador Retriever In The Car
Taking a labrador retriever in the car can be a lot of fun. It is great not to have to leave your pet behind when you take a trip. Most dogs like traveling provided they have the chance to get used to it when they are young. So if you have a puppy, don't be afraid to take it in the car. A young puppy can travel in its crate and you can protect the seat for an older puppy or dog with a blanket.
Start with short trips and train the puppy or dog to lie on the back seat. With a puppy it is better to have another person in the car at first to prevent him jumping on you as you drive. Even with a well-behaved dog, keep in mind that the first time you drive alone with him in the car, he may think the empty front seat is for him! Do not be tempted to let him stay there because it seems easier. Stop the car and have him go back as soon as you can.
If you have a station wagon you will probably want to order a grille to keep the dog in the back. This saves you having to worry about him while you drive and stops kids playing with him and encouraging him to misbehave in the back of the car. Traveling this way is also safer for the dog if there is an accident and means that he will not fly forward and perhaps injure you if you have to stop very suddenly. The local dealer for your brand of car will be able to advise you on purchase and fitting.
For longer trips you should plan on stopping every two hours or more in a place where you can give the dog some exercise and let him relieve himself. Take water that your dog can drink during these breaks. Labrador retrievers can easily dehydrate. When you stop the car it is better to keep him on the leash even in places where you don't have to. Dogs can be harder to control on unfamiliar territory and you probably don't want to stop for very long. These breaks will be good for you too, so make the most of them.
If you are planning to take your labrador retriever on vacation, you should make reservations ahead of time to be sure of finding a hotel or motel that will take pets. Check carefully because some hotels will only accept small dogs. Most hotels publish this kind of information on their websites.
Some dogs get sick in the car so it is better not to feed your dog just before you leave. If you take your dog in the car often, then he is likely to grow out of this soon. If not you can ask your veterinarian for medication for the dog before any long trips.
Keep the windows open slightly while you drive to give the dog fresh air. Two inches is enough. Do not have the windows open all the way, the rush of air can be bad for the dog's eyes, ears and throat. Never leave a dog in a parked car on a sunny day. Even if the temperature outside does not seem dangerously high, the car can become like an oven in a very short time and the dog may die. Opening windows is not enough to prevent this. So if you are going someplace that the dog cannot go, be sure to have a good leash that you can tie him with outside the car. A little preparation makes taking a labrador retriever in the car a very enjoyable experience.
Start with short trips and train the puppy or dog to lie on the back seat. With a puppy it is better to have another person in the car at first to prevent him jumping on you as you drive. Even with a well-behaved dog, keep in mind that the first time you drive alone with him in the car, he may think the empty front seat is for him! Do not be tempted to let him stay there because it seems easier. Stop the car and have him go back as soon as you can.
If you have a station wagon you will probably want to order a grille to keep the dog in the back. This saves you having to worry about him while you drive and stops kids playing with him and encouraging him to misbehave in the back of the car. Traveling this way is also safer for the dog if there is an accident and means that he will not fly forward and perhaps injure you if you have to stop very suddenly. The local dealer for your brand of car will be able to advise you on purchase and fitting.
For longer trips you should plan on stopping every two hours or more in a place where you can give the dog some exercise and let him relieve himself. Take water that your dog can drink during these breaks. Labrador retrievers can easily dehydrate. When you stop the car it is better to keep him on the leash even in places where you don't have to. Dogs can be harder to control on unfamiliar territory and you probably don't want to stop for very long. These breaks will be good for you too, so make the most of them.
If you are planning to take your labrador retriever on vacation, you should make reservations ahead of time to be sure of finding a hotel or motel that will take pets. Check carefully because some hotels will only accept small dogs. Most hotels publish this kind of information on their websites.
Some dogs get sick in the car so it is better not to feed your dog just before you leave. If you take your dog in the car often, then he is likely to grow out of this soon. If not you can ask your veterinarian for medication for the dog before any long trips.
Keep the windows open slightly while you drive to give the dog fresh air. Two inches is enough. Do not have the windows open all the way, the rush of air can be bad for the dog's eyes, ears and throat. Never leave a dog in a parked car on a sunny day. Even if the temperature outside does not seem dangerously high, the car can become like an oven in a very short time and the dog may die. Opening windows is not enough to prevent this. So if you are going someplace that the dog cannot go, be sure to have a good leash that you can tie him with outside the car. A little preparation makes taking a labrador retriever in the car a very enjoyable experience.
posted by Margaret at 9:48 AM
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