Transporting your dog in a carrier is not the only thing you should not forget. You should also try to make the trip as smooth as possible.
There are countless situations in which we may need to transport our dog, whether it is with us on a trip through the city or on a longer trip, or by ourselves to send him to another person. There are different ways for our friend to make the trip, and we will always choose the one that best suits our circumstances, consulting the veterinarian if in doubt so that he can guide us correctly.
Circumstances in which you have to transport your dog
When we want to go for a walk in a part of the city that is far away from us, we don’t want to leave the animal alone at home, to take it to the beach, to a specific vet or simply to visit a friend or relative, we will have to take our dog in a means of transport with us. This will also happen when we want to make a relatively long trip, where we will have to adapt our pet’s transport to the means used to move.
There are times, although they are not so common when we find ourselves in the situation of having to send our dog to another city or country alone. For example, if the owner can no longer take care of the dog and entrusts this task to a family member or friend, or if it is the owner who is living abroad, but his pet could not accompany him at first.
Problems when transporting your dog
Transporting a pet is not easy, on the one hand due to restrictions on means of transport and, on the other, due to the dog itself, which is not comfortable travelling. That is why, before deciding how to transport it, we must consult the conditions that must be met according to the regulations of the transport companies.
On the bus, for example, large dogs are not allowed unless they are guide dogs and small dogs must travel in a cage or compartment, and not all companies allow them. The train is more comfortable for both dogs and their owners. In addition to being more spacious, it is not necessary to transport our pet in a cage, we simply have to keep it on a leash, but it is also necessary for it to wear a muzzle.
When travelling by plane, dogs will generally travel in a pet-friendly area in the cargo hold, inside a cage or container that meets the conditions of being comfortable for the animal, waterproof, resistant, properly ventilated, and with a closure that guarantees that they will not escape. However, not all airlines allow this, so we must carry out a broad search for those that best suit our circumstances. Under certain conditions, for example, a small dog whose transport box does not exceed a certain size or weight limit, and with the relevant authorisations, we can take our friend with us in the passenger cabin.
We must be especially careful with sick dogs, those over 10 years old, and especially with certain breeds. Flat-faced dogs, such as bulldogs, have problems breathing effectively due to their anatomy, and air travel is very risky for them.
Concerns when transporting your dog
Once we have met the safety regulations for transporting dogs, the concern that emerges is the comfort of the pet. Dogs, when they are not used to traveling in vehicles, become nervous, as well as having dizziness and vomiting. Even the cage can be uncomfortable for them, so we have to make sure that it is spacious enough for them.
A good way to avoid this discomfort in the dog is, if there is enough time in advance, to gradually accustom him to short trips by car (for example, around the block) or train. To reduce his anxiety about the vehicle, the first few times we would take him to places he likes, such as the park, or, at least, give him a treat after getting out so that he associates transport with a pleasant stimulus.
When the animal has to travel alone, concerns increase because we cannot control or know its condition during the journey. For this reason, companies specializing in animal transport have a constant pet monitoring service so that the owners know where it is at all times. They also have caretakers and veterinarians who will be attentive to any problem that may arise.
There are two basic rules for a dog to be comfortable on a trip. First, there must be proper ventilation, which can be perfectly controlled in the car by opening the window a few centimeters. The other recommendation is that, if you are going on a long trip, you should not eat solid food in the 4 hours before the trip, to avoid making your dog feel unwell.
Methods for its transportation
When we need to carry our dog in a cage, we have several types to choose from. On the one hand, we have wire cages, which have a base panel and walls and a roof made of grids. They have the advantage of total ventilation, but they are not the safest option, since it is easy for the dog to escape from them and, in addition, in the event of a collision or movement, the dog can be injured. This is why they are not allowed on airplanes.
On the other hand, there are plastic cages used for air travel. They have ventilation grilles on the sides and roof, and the closing door is made of metal, making it safer to prevent the animal from escaping. There are also so-called soft cages, made of plastic and nylon. They are very comfortable and light, but they are also less rigid.
Depending on the type of trip, the means of transport, and the breed of dog, we will use one type of cage or another. For car trips we have two other options: one is to put a safety harness on the dog, which is attached to the seat belt hook. The other is to have the dog travel in the trunk. To do this, the tray that covers it will be removed, and a metal or nylon grid will be placed to separate the area from the rest of the car so that the animal does not get thrown out in the event of an accident. In this case, we will not be able to take luggage or, at least, place a grid that separates the animal from the suitcases, to prevent it from being hit.