The Dog Lover’s Guide To Travel

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• Taking A Trip With Fido? Make Sure He Is 'Road Ready,' Says Travel Expert

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  Many families are packing up and hitting the road this summer for long-awaited getaways. If the family dog is coming along, it’s important to make sure it’s “road ready,” according to a travel expert.

  Kelly Carter, author of “The Dog Lover’s Guide to Travel,” said the first priority should be getting a good pet carrier.

  “It’s important to have a carrier that can sustain a crash. We don’t like to think about these things, but you have to think about these things,” Carter said. “You don’t want just a flimsy carrier that looks cute.”

  When choosing a carrier for a pet, Carter said pet owners should pick one that allows enough room for the animal to stand up on all four legs and be able to turn around. The carrier should also be well-ventilated.

  Ideally, the carrier should be secured to the center portion of the vehicle’s back seat. For larger animals, like German shepherds, she recommended a three-point harness, which can be used much like a seatbelt for humans.

  Carter said dogs and cats often associate their carrier with going to the veterinary clinic and getting a vaccination, and this can spark a lot of anxiety in an animal. To prevent these issues, Carter recommended finding ways to associate the carrier with positive things.

  “My suggestion and advice is really kind of turning the carrier into a play pen when you’re home,” she said, adding that putting the pup’s favorite treats and toys in the carrier can make a big difference.

  “Just leave it out in the open so that way he or she is not so freaked out when they see this carrier and it’s time to go on a roadtrip,” Carter said. “They really will want to go!”