Traveling with Reactive Rover

Guarantee your next trip is a stress free one with these packing and preparation tips for you and your dog.

Diana arriving in South Carolina- her first time at the beach!

If you are starting to stress about an upcoming trip with your reactive dog, don't fret! First of all, your dog will pick up on your energy, but also because we've compiled a list of tried and true tips to help you and your dog have a great time.

A bit of preparation will go a long way to a successful adventure.

Tip #1 - Salad Dressing Travel Tubes

Our weirdest (but best) tip- pick up a few salad dressing travel tubes (or those silicone travel shampoo bottles) and fill with your dog's favorite wet food (or peanut butter). These tubes will come in handy when faced with high stress situations where you need to redirect your dog. Simply pop the top and let your dog sniff and slick as you squeeze the contents out. Not only will it keep your dog's interest in high stress moments, it's mess free!

Tip #2 - Muzzle Training

Diana taking some time to relax on a bench away from other people and dogs while still enjoying the beach.

Gone are the days of muzzles being seen as made for "bad dogs." Muzzles are a fantastic tool for helping you and your dog navigate stressful situations, crowds,and more. Two weeks prior to traveling, we paired the muzzle with high value things- like her favorite treats or allowing her to spend time on the bed (her most favorite thing) while wearing the muzzle. By the time our trip came around, Diana comfortably put her nose in the muzzle on her own. We used the muzzle when meeting new dogs, walking in confined areas, and at times when Diana's mom started to feel anxious (it can help bring our anxiety down, too).

"You can travel with reactive Rovers. It just looks a little different at first. Manipulate your environment to the best of your ability to set your dog up for success." – 32 Paws Training

Tip #3 - Packing for Success

Having the right tools with you can make all the difference between an enjoyable stay and a stressful one, so be sure to prioritize space for your dog's things. A crate may seem too big at the time when packing, but can allow a safe haven for your dog (and limit destructive behaviors in the hotel room or guest room). Toss in a few enrichment toys like a Nylabone, Kong, or snuffle mat, and pack peanut butter, squeeze cheese, and/or cream cheese to stuff the Kongs. In times of high tension, these tools can help your dog alleviate stress. New surroundings can cause nervous dogs to bolt- so investing in things like a front-clip harness or Martingale collar are great to prevent slipping out of a collar if spooked. In these situations, overpacking can be a good thing- be sure to plan ahead when allocating space for not just your luggage but your pup's too!

Tip #4 - Pre-Trip Planning and Accommodations

Staying in a hotel? Call ahead of time and request a room on the ground level, next to a door leading outside. It allows for shortened times in crowded hallways, and eliminates the potential stress of an elevator. Schedule a vet appointment to discuss anxiety medication a week or two before your trip. A small tablet hidden in some cheese can work wonders when it comes to calming an anxious dog when nothing seems to help. This small step can make or break your trip. A lot of anxiety medications for dogs are prescribed as needed, so whether or not you have to use it, just knowing you have this tool in your arsenal can help you feel calmer when the pre-trip nervousness hits.

Tip #5 - Off-Peak and Recon Work

Henry, Diana's vacation buddy, hangs out in the bushes while watching the parade. By arriving an hour before, we were able to secure this perfect spot for our pups- the bushes provide excellent coverage/distance for overstressed pups to retreat.

Arriving to locations incredibly early and beating the rush will help you and your pet explore quietly. It may require you waking up while it's still dark (or even having to wear a headlamp while outside), but off-peak times allow you to experience your vacation destination while foot traffic is at a low. Scouting out areas ahead of time where you can duck away and watch the events happening without actually being in the chaos of it is helpful too- think of a quiet bench away from the sidewalks, an area of bushes where you can hang out when sights/sounds become too stimulating, etc. By having these areas in mind, you have a plan in place in case your dog's cup is too full and they become reactive.

Final Thoughts

Diana became too stimulated on the boardwalk, so we took her into the quiet sand and she had a great time walking along the pretty light display. We didn't have to be in the actual lights to enjoy them.

Will you have some failures? Sure. Dogs don't naturally know how to act on vacation, but the good news is they can learn. We plan on traveling more and bringing Diana along to learn how fun travel can be. Flexibility, repetition, and meeting your dog's needs are the keys for success. Your dog can travel, 32 Paws will teach you how.