10 Things You Need to Know Before Taking a Road Trip With Your Corgi

Featured Photo Credit: TheDailyCorgi

Guest Post Written By: Angie Hill of WoofDog.com

Traveling with any pet can be quite an adventure, but traveling with a corgi is a pretty unique experience. I recently learned this after going on a short road trip to visit friends in another state. My corgi, Orbit, was just over a year old at the time, and this was to be his longest car ride ever.

I learned a lot about traveling with corgis before, during and after this trip. I’d like to share with you the things I did right, the mistakes I made, and my suggestions for making a road trip with your sweet corgi pup a memorable and joyful experience.

Lesson 1:  Know your Corgi

This lesson may be one of the most important to know, and also one of the simplest to understand. Knowing how your pet reacts to stressful and unknown situations is essential to forecasting how they’ll fair on the road.

For example, Orbit becomes anxious when he hears the sound a train makes. So, I adjusted my route to avoid as many train tracks as possible.

Lesson 2:  Make Your Corgi Feel Secure

Unlike for plane rides, a car ride with your corgi doesn’t require a kennel (although it’s a good idea to bring one with you). For your canine to feel secure and safe for the long haul in either the front or back seat, you may consider bringing along their favorite blankets and toys to cuddle while on the road (Orbit is a huge fan of plush toys).

Lesson 3:  Know What Causes Stress

Most all dogs become stressed during lightning storms, while at the vet, or when their owner is away. Stress during road trips can be a different experience for different pups. If your corgi begins panting or pacing during while in the car, it’s possible that he or she is feeling stress and anxiety.

Orbit has a distinct low whine when he becomes stressed. During our road trip, he didn’t experience anything too severe. If you feel that your pet may become overly stressed, there are a few measures you can take and supplements your pet can try that can be helpful.

Lesson 4:  Take Breaks Often

It’s no mystery that corgis (and all dogs) need regular bathroom breaks. Once, on our way home from the trip, Orbit decided to forego the low whine and proceed straight to relieving himself in the car. Thankfully, there was a pad beneath him!

Lesson 5:  Bring Things to Do

Like humans, dogs definitely get restless during a long drive. An easy way to mitigate anxiety or to provide entertainment for your corgi is to bring some healthy, chewy dog treats. I prefer anything that is grain-free, full of nutrients and lasts a long time.

For orbit, I avoid anything rawhide. While I know that it’s natural and healthy for dogs to chew, I prefer to avoid the possible health risks that come with rawhide products.[i]

Lesson 6:  Plan Your Route in Advance

This is another easy, yet important lesson I learned, as we got lost on our way home. Always know where you’re going before you hit the road. Your corgi won’t appreciate any more travel than is necessary.

Lesson 7:  Plan for Parks

When we get out of the car after hours of driving, we are stiff and achy. The same goes for our dogs. When traveling long distances, search for dog-friendly parks along your way so that your little pup can stretch his or her legs.

[i] http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/rawhide-good-or-bad-for-your-dog#1

Lesson 8:  Keep Your Corgi Hydrated

Again, this is a no brainer. When dogs are hot, they don’t sweat like us humans. Instead, your dog will pant. Pay close attention to your corgi while on the road, and if he or she begins panting, it’s past time to pull over and offer a drink.

Lesson 9:  Bring Your Kennel

I mentioned that you might need to bring a kennel earlier in this post, but I thought it necessary to mention in its own section. Especially if your dog is crate trained, it’s a good idea to have their kennel with you. Dogs are prone to denning, and kennels can often serve that purpose.[i]

To ensure that your corgi feels exceptionally safe and secure, bring your kennel so that he or she has a place to go and hide out, away from the hustle and bustle while visiting friends or family.

Lesson 10:  Enjoy The Ride!

Traveling with my little Orbit was a wonderful experience and we are bonded even more now because of our trip. My biggest lesson learned is that, if I’ve planned adequately enough, a road trip with my furry best friend is the best!

About the Author:

Angie Hill (@angiehillwrites) is a writer from Atlanta, GA and passionate pet blogger. She enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Ernie and Nora and volunteers at several rescue centers in Georgia. She is also the editor in Chief for Woof Dog Magazine. You can also follow Angie on Facebook.

Sources:

[i] http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2085&aid=1134

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