Road trips require meticulous planning for them to be a success and for you to have a good time. When you decide to bring along a dog then it becomes a different ball game requiring even more preparation. Our hairy friends come with some unique demands that you have to cater to and accommodate before you hit the road with them. One of them is pit stops that will be suitable for them. 

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration

Just like you will need breaks to stretch and just relax after long periods in the car, your dog too will require them. Make it paramount that you settle on pit stops that will be suitable for both you and your dog which can be quite a task. But to make it easy for you, this article shares tips on how to go about it to ensure you and your dog have a great time. 

Map out your route

Before doing anything else this should be your first step. Although random adds to the fun, not when you have a dog in tow. Have a clear idea of your whole route from when you leave your home to when you come back. This will among other things give you an idea of the distance expected to be covered and the days you are likely to spend on the road. 

Identify dog-friendly pit stops along the route

When using most interstates, the likely pit stops are fast food drive-ins and gas stations. Due to the heavy traffic and littering around them including oil spills, they may not be the most suitable pitstops for your dog. With a little research, you can be able to identify rest areas for dogs or even parks with green spaces where your dog can have some ample space to stretch their legs.

Space the pit stops according to your dog’s routine

After mapping out your whole route and identifying dog-friendly pit stops along the route. You can now space your stops to coincide with your dog’s feeding or watering routines. Your dog most likely has a feeding or watering routine and maintaining this even when on a road trip will help ease their stress.

Between the pit stops ensure your dog is entertained. This can be done by providing them with a stuffed animal they can play with. This will prevent them from scratching and nibbling on seats. They should also be confined in the car with a leash to limit their movements. You should, however, not cramp them with your luggage at the back. 

This makes vans ideal to use on this kind of road trip. Get a van rental and take advantage of the ample space they come with. If you are from Baltimore for example, sample the several companies offering rental cars in Baltimore by visiting Rental24h.com and compare prices from at least three. Based on the prices and rental policies you can then settle on one that you will consider the most ideal van rental Baltimore.

Consider off-beat pit stops

Pit stops in off-beat areas will most likely have fewer crowds and be ideal for your dog. You can take the dog’s leash off and run around or play games for the dog to have a good stretch and also as a way of exercising. 

Take advantage of useful apps

Several apps can be very helpful as you plan on your dog-friendly pit stops.  Some of these like BringFido will help you locate dog-friendly parks and pit stops while you’re on the road. It will be wise to download a few as you never know when you may need them.

How to prepare your dog for the road trip

After mapping out and identifying the pit stops you will take breaks at, it is important to prepare your dog for the road trip. Some of the ways to do this include:

• Taking test drives. If the longest your dog has gone in the car is to the mall or a routine check-up at the vet, it’s time to acclimatize him to stay in the car for long durations. You can do this by going for long drives with the dog in tow.
• Visit new locations with your dog. To make your dog love the idea of visiting new locations, take them to at least three new places in the week before the road trip.
• Handle anxiety. Your dog is bound to develop anxiety by spending long periods in the car and you should find ways of handling this. The best approach is to make your dog spend extended periods in the car in the days leading up to the trip. This can be by starting to give them meals in the car or playing with them more in the car. 

Conclusion

Going for a road trip with your dog in tow will require deliberate efforts to ensure that they too have a good time. One of the most important aspects will be the choice of pit stops. Dog-friendly pit stops will be very essential on this trip. After mapping your travel route, research several along the route to ensure your dog has a good time and gets to enjoy the breaks even as you continue with the trip. Hope you apply the few tips discussed above and have a blast with your dog on the road.