Traveling is one of your favorite pastimes, but you also dread leaving your furry friend behind. There are many joys that come with taking pets on trips. The trick is to help your dog master a few commands and good behaviors beforehand. Whether you’re going on a camping trip or visiting a big city, dogs who listen to these commands will be an incredible travel companion.
Settle on Cue
Energetic dogs will race around a room and struggle to settle down during hotel check-ins or while eating on a busy patio. It’s important that they know how to calm down with a simple command.
At home, cue your dog to sit or lie down, and reward them after they calmly hold the position. The time frame should be short at first. Throughout the week, stretch the time between how long your dog should settle for, from 30 seconds to two minutes.
Then, take them to a mildly distracting place like a park. A dog who knows how to pause won’t treat every new place like a race.
Walk Without Pulling
Dogs can pull your shoulder out of its socket when they want to rush over to a stranger or a bird. The family will have to walk through gas stations, lobbies, campgrounds, and more. In crowded areas, having control of the dog’s leash is essential for everyone’s safety.
Teach your dog to walk beside you with attention instead of dragging you toward every scent or sound. Change direction and reward check-ins. This habit will encourage your dog to listen to you despite packed, noisy places.
Come Right Away
From trail stops to picnic areas to rental cabins, think of training your dog to come when they’re called as constant protection. Reliable recall ranks are essential for travel safety. Doors swing open, leashes slip, and distractions appear fast. Your dog needs to turn and run back to you without hesitation.
At home is the best place to begin training because it’s a quiet, distraction-free area. Choose a command and don’t stray from it. Once your pup learns this word, you won’t want to change it. Every time they come to you after saying the command, give them pets, hand over a treat, or let them play with a toy. Dogs need to know that running over to you has a positive outcome.
Remain Calm Around People
New places bring a flood of strangers, children, pets, luggage, carts, voices, and strange scents. Excitement may turn into barking or jumping.
Your dog needs calm social behavior to travel politely. Practice short exposures at a distance your dog can handle. Just be sure to end the session before your dog loses control. Calm behavior doesn’t mean your dog must greet everyone; in many travel settings, polite neutrality works best.
Handle Brief Separation
Even dog-friendly trips include moments apart. You might need to step into a restroom, load bags, or grab food. A dog who panics during brief separation will spiral into stress by barking and scratching at the car doors.
Practice separation at home. Keep the car running and roll down a couple of windows, so a sliver of air passes through. Step away for a few seconds, then return before they become distressed. Afterward, give them a treat to reward their calm behavior. Gradually lengthen the time that they sit in the car, so they learn that your exit predicts your return.
Get Ready for the Trip
Dogs should be well-behaved before traveling. When they’re able to listen to your commands and avoid pulling on the leash, you won’t have to leave your furry friend behind! Keep practicing, and start planning the next trip.
