It’s Summer in Australia which means holidays, weekend getaways and spontaneous road trips. As a nation of dog lovers our K9 companions will often accompany us on road trips so with that in mind, we thought we’d share 10 of our best tips for a stress-free road-trip with your dog.

1.     Make sure your dog is microchipped and is wearing a tag on their collar with your contact details. If your pooch happens to get lost or frightened during a pit stop and takes off, the chance of them being returned safe & sound is much greater.

2.     Create a comfortable & secure space for your dog in the car ensuring they have room to stand, turn and re-position themselves when needed. Don’t forget to pack a soft pillow or toy for them to rest their head on and chew toys to keep them occupied in their dedicated space.

3.     Bring along their vaccination certificate! This is important if you are staying in dog friendly accommodation as they may require your pet’s vaccinations to be up to date, or if you need to board your dog for the day at some stage during your trip if you have activities planned whereby you can’t include your pet. Also, having your vaccination certificate on hand is essential on the off chance you may have to visit a Veterinary Clinic whilst away.

4.     Attend to your Dogs bathroom needs. Just as we humans need pit stops along the way, for a cool drink and to use the bathroom, so does your Dog. Ensure you stop at regular intervals allowing your dog to relieve him or herself and offer fresh cool water, and a treat. For especially long trips over 3 hours, we recommend finding a dog park or beach along the way and allowing your dog to exercise, pack a tennis ball, they always come in handy!

5.     Bring your dog’s crate if they use one! If your dog has been crate trained the crate is a great tool to use both in the car and at your chosen accommodation or camping ground, so you know your dog will feel safe and is less likely to roam at night.

6.     Pick up your dog’s poop! This goes without saying, make sure you bring dog bags to clean up their mess. Enough said.

7.     Do not leave your dog in a hot car! However, tempting it may be to leave the window down just a little while you pop into the café to grab a quick coffee, just don’t do it. Allow your dog to exit the vehicle anytime you plan to be away from it for any length of time, even 5 minutes is enough for a dog to suffer in a hot car.

8.     Take and old towel and blanket, in the unfortunate event your dog were to get car sick, or they take an impromptu dip in the water, you’ll be grateful you have an old towel on hand!

9.     Check local dog regulations. Before taking your dog onto the beach or through a national park, research the local regulations as a lot of these areas are not dog friendly. Local council websites are a good place to look for dog friendly destinations & parks.

10.  Consider other animals and wildlife. Keep your dog on a leash if he or she is not well socialised with other dogs, or tends to chase after wildlife, use common sense.

So with that in mind, we hope this helps you in planning your next adventure when travelling with your beloved pet, happy road-tripping!

For more motoring tips visit https://www.autoleaders.com.au/category/blog/