Dogs in Truck: Tips on How to Travel

Traveling with your four-legged friend is the new norm for most dog owners in the US.

However, the majority of people do it the wrong way. They travel with their dogs unrestrained at the back of the truck – that, for a few, is not an enormous deal. At a look, you may suppose the dogs are having the best time of their lives. But this ends up with the question: who is to blame for their safety? Not the dog's owner, of course. 

Statistics confirm that a minimum of 100,000 dogs die annually by traveling at the back of the truck unrestrained. Any dog owner needs to ensure the safety of his/her dog before hitting the road.

 

So the question is; how do you ensure safety measures for you and your furred friend while traveling? One of the safest options of a dog in a truck is placing it at the rear seat of your vehicle using dog seat covers for trucks. Or at the front seat of your vehicle if it has three positions. However, nobody desires to deal with stuck dog hair everywhere they struck.

Therefore, using dog seat covers for trucks is considered a great way of dealing with the mess that tags along when joyriding with your dog friend. Besides, they prevent your dog from slipping and falling off the seats. In distinction to crates and kennels, seat covers provide additional legroom and low probabilities of your dog becoming restless – particularly throughout long drives.

So, without further ado, this article features safety precautions and tips on how to travel with a dog in truck. Keep on reading and find out more.

 

Do Proper Planning

If you must take your dog with you for a vacation or a ride, make sure to make proper arrangements and planning before traveling. Some of the aspects to consider include:

 

1.      Finding a Hotel, or a Place to Stay with Your Dog

Conduct a thorough search of available dog-friendly accommodations along the way. Remember to consider their pet policies, charges, or any other concerns.

2.      Consider Your Dog’s Health 

A sick dog in truck is no fun. Therefore, you will want to ensure safety and good health before leaving. Visit the vet and confirm with your vet that all vaccinations are up-to-date, particularly for extended trips. Take medical records and contact information of the vet, in case you need further vet care along the way. 

Please note; do not self-prescribe medication for your dog or any human-created medicine as this can interfere with your dog's health.

Remember to carry a supply of his regular foods that have both wet and dry options. A variety of food ensures good health and everyday excellence for your dog.

When searching for accommodation, remember to check on the nearest veterinary in the case of an emergency or medical attention. 

 

3.      Keeping Track of Your Dog

 

Put a leash and collar on your dog for easy identification in case he gets lost while at your destination. This tag should include the following:

• Your full names
• Dog’s name
• Your phone number
• Email address and,
• Where you are staying

As an addendum, consider using a permanent microchip as a form of the tracking device.

4.      Food and Water

Avoid over-feeding your dog while traveling to prevent incidents such as nausea or any other form of sicknesses. Carry enough of dog's usual foods, mainly if your dog is selective, and stick to her regular meals. Changing your dog's diet can result in stomach upsets and unpleasant digestive issues. Also, do not forget to carry lots of bottled water with you.

Other essentials to consider packing include; Bedding, Kitty litter, Litter box, and First-aid kit.

5.      Climate Condition

Climate is an important aspect to contemplate when it comes to riding with your dog. Be aware of the climatic conditions of your destination. Lowering your vehicle's windows due to high temperatures is not a practical solution of controlling the temperature inside your vehicle. Instead, it might lead to your dog jumping off through the window and escaping. 

On the same note, icy climatic conditions can result in the death of your dog, or even suffer hypothermia. Always make sure you carry extra blankets in case the weather gets freezing.

6.      Dog Safety

As mentioned above, it is crucial to think of a suitable pet restraint to avoid any automotive injuries or accidents. A distracted driver can easily cause an accident due to a roaming dog in truck. There is a vast range of dog restraints on the market that you should consider for your dog’s safety. For example, truck back seat dog covers. Ensure you opt for one that is highly versatile, waterproof, and can provide both hammock and bench seat cover – not forgetting the material should be heavy-duty, cozy, and soft.

Here are few advantages for using a truck back seat cover for a dog in truck;

Reduces the Amount of Hair into Your Truck

For a dog in truck, fur, dirt, and body waste is inevitable, despite how well trained it is. The majority spends lots of time cleaning the dog's hair on their truck's seats and floor mats. With a dog seat cover, it saves you the time and the problem of scrubbing all that mess. Therefore, you will create more time to spend with your cherished ones and pet.

Seat Covers Prevents Stains and Odors

Even after thorough clean up or endless automotive fresheners you use, dog’s odor will still linger. Stained seat covers depreciate the worth for your truck and are unpleasant to some passengers. Because of these reasons, a washable dog seat cover ought to be a no-brainer bargain for any dog owner.

Prevents Your Dog from Slipping and Sliding

When stability and comfort are essential, dog seat covers are the way to go. There are high chances of your dog slipping or sliding from your truck's back seat. The vehicle's seats are not designed to prevent such incidents from occurring. The firmness keeps a dog in truck safe, and in place. That is why a decent quality seat cover with sturdy straps is considered an excellent addition for a truck owner. 

7.      Dealing with Motion Sickness

Some dogs suffer from motion sickness. Most of these dogs may start drooling or have nausea anticipation before even getting into the vehicle. This makes them reluctant and unwilling to get inside a vehicle. To avoid anxiety for your dog, you can teach him to associate with good things in the vehicle. You can try to: 

• Play with your dog at the back of your truck’s seats using his/her favorite toys.
• End each road trip on a high note by giving them a tasty treat.
• Make a few stops to go for a walk before they start getting anxious.
• Reward her with a portion of tasty food for being calm.
• Spend a couple of weeks playing with your dog inside the vehicle without closing the doors, so that he does not feel trapped.
• For larger trucks, try feeding inside the car – you may be required to invest in quality dog seat covers for large trucks. This way, your dog will see the truck as an extension of his home.

When your dog is willing to get into the truck, then you are ready for a journey. However, take baby steps, and introduce each new change at a time. Give him/her room and time to accept each new level.

Basic Guidelines While on the Road

Once you hit the road, it is vital to follow these basic guidelines to ensure the safety of your dog and yourself:  

Keep the Dog Inside

Dogs tend to put their heads out the window. Therefore, ensure your dog’s head is inside your truck to avoid getting injured by debris. It is advisable to keep the entire body of the dog inside the truck, and do not let your dog ride on the truck bed. 

Make frequent stops

Make regular stops to give your dog a chance to stretch his/her legs, or use the bathrooms. Make sure she is leashed, and have a bag ready with the grooming supplies to clean it up.

Do Not Leave Your Dog Unattended

Do not leave your dog alone in the truck regardless of whether the windows are rolled down. A vehicle's temperature can rise to 120 degrees; thus, exposing your dog to unfavorable environmental conditions. Besides, there could be pet thieves along the way who would not mind keeping the dog for you. 

Include Some Toys 

Have some new toys for your dog and a few of his/her old favorites. This way, your dog will get occupied, hence causing less distraction and boredom.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some FAQs while traveling with dogs in truck.

How do I keep my dog in the back of the truck?

You keep your dog in the back of your truck using a dog blanket for cars and trucks. Such blankets are available as dog seat covers that truck owners can fasten to the vehicle's back seat. They can secure their dog to the seat cover with straps and prevent it from moving around the truck and getting hurt. It will also give the dog a secure place to stay while allowing them to see and enjoy the ride.

Some other methods to keep the dog in the truck's back seat are:

• Put a pet barrier between the front and back seats while allowing them to move around on the back seat. 
• Use a dog crate or kennel secured with straps or bungee cords, big enough for the dog to move around in, and has plenty of ventilation. 
• Securely fasten the dog with a pet seat belt or harness so the dog cannot escape. 
• Train the dog with commands like "load up" or "get in" to explain the action and give it a treat when the pet actually gets back in the truck.

Finally, make sure to pack plenty of water and snacks for the pet so it can stay hydrated and fed during the ride.

Wrap-up

Travelling can be tedious and stressful, especially if you will have your dog riding along. However, maintaining calmness is a plus as dogs tend to pick up our emotions. Make sure your safety and that of your dog is a priority. The practical tips in this post should help you have a ride to remember in the company of your pet. Go out there and have a blast. And, don't forget to use our dog car seat covers!