How to take a road trip with your dog

When a family road trip is on the cards, there’s no need to leave your furry friends behind.

Taking your dogs on holiday around Australia is easy, with lots of pet-friendly accommodation and events available. All it takes is a little bit of planning. Check out our guide to bringing your furry friend along for the ride.

Whether you’re visiting family or exploring somewhere new, it’s important to make sure your dog is microchipped and your contact information is up to date on the microchip register before you go away. This is the quickest way for you to reunite with your pup should they go missing on your trip.

Keep in mind, there are seven different microchip registers in Australia and some are state-specific.¹ If you’re heading interstate, it’s a good idea to make sure your dog’s microchip is up to date and registered nationally. For extra peace of mind, put an ID tag on your pooch’s collar with their name and your number.

You’ll also want to make sure your pooch is safe and comfortable while travelling in the car before you hit the road. If they’re not used to car travel, give them short practice rides, complete with fun toys and treats that they only get in the car. This prep will teach them that car rides are a normal part of getting around and nothing to feel anxious about.

While your pooch doesn’t have to travel in a crate while in the car with you, crate training can be a handy way to help them have a more comfortable ride. If you go with the crate option, make sure your dog has room to comfortably lie down, stand, sit, turn around and stretch.

Be sure your dog’s flea, worming and tick treatment is up to date and that they’re fully vaccinated before you go. This is also a great time to take out pet insurance if you don’t already have it, to make sure your dog is covered should anything happen during your trip.

There are a few essential items that will make holidaying with your dog a happy adventure, including:

• their regular food and treats (enough to keep them going for the whole time you’re away)
• their usual bedding or crate to sleep in
• food and water bowls
• their collar, leash, and harness
• poop bags and a towel
• their favourite toy(s)
• any medication they take regularly.

Remember to keep plenty of bottles of fresh water on hand in the car for rest stops or when there isn’t a tap nearby.

And while you might want to keep some treats handy, feed your dog at least 2 hours before you hit the open road as they’re likely to travel better if they don’t have a full stomach.

Keeping your dog adequately restrained is not only essential for their safety but also the law throughout Australia.² Specific guidelines vary from state to state, so check your state government’s animal welfare code of practice around transporting dogs in vehicles.

A purpose-made dog seatbelt or safety harness is a simple way to give your pup a safe ride. It’s best to put them in the back seat of the car as this reduces the risk of injury due to front seat air bags if there is a collision.

Make sure you have plenty of rest stops on your trip and give your pooch the chance to have a drink of water, go to the toilet and take a walk to stretch their legs. Be sure to always keep your dog on a leash.

Never, ever leave your dog in the car unattended. Even on mild days, car temperatures can quickly reach more than double the outside temperature. Dogs left inside a vehicle can suffer from heat stress, which can lead to organ failure and even death. Parking in the shade or leaving the windows open does not reduce the temperature inside the car enough to keep your pet safe, so never take the risk.

The great news is that there are plenty of accommodation options available for people holidaying with dogs all over Australia. From dog-friendly holiday rentals to 5-star hotels that cater to pets, a simple search will help you find the best dog-friendly accommodation at your destination.

Camping is also a fantastic option when you want to take your dogs on holiday, with many caravan parks offering dog-friendly accommodation in cabins or in your own tent, campervan or caravan.

No matter where you’re staying, remember to keep your dog on a leash when outside. This is considerate of other guests, but it will also keep your pooch safe. Dogs can get excited in new locations and might run off unexpectedly if given the chance. Leashing dogs also helps protect local wildlife. Be sure to check with your chosen accommodation for any rules around bringing your dog.

If you’re planning to holiday with your dog it might be a good idea to teach them some basic commands to help keep them safe while you’re both away from home. One of the most important things you can do for their safety is learn how to teach your dog to come when called.