MATT BAKER
THE COUNTRYFILE PRESENTER GOES BEHIND THE SCENES ON HIS SHOWS AND FAMILY FARM
How to travel happily with a dog.
TOP TIPS FOR HAPPY DOG TRIPS
Ever since I introduced my border collie Meg to Blue Peter, I have gone off on all sorts of adventures with dogs. Over the years, I have discovered lots of travel tips that have helped create smoother journeys, so I thought I’d share them with you.
Let’s start with travel sickness. The first thing I would advise is simple: don’t feed your dog before going on a journey. It’s totally fine to miss a feed for the sake of a few hours, with a nice meal on arrival.
For younger dogs, it’s important that they don’t feel afraid of the vehicle, so the key is to train your dog to be confident in your car. With a young dog, short trips are essential and it’s crucial to have a great ending. Maybe go on the school run to pick up the kids, which is exciting for the dog, or go to play in a park. Make sure their initial experience of the car isn’t to the vets or a four-hour-long journey. Sometimes, without going anywhere, I feed young pups in the back of a car with the engine on, so they get used to the rumble and don’t associate it with fear. Don’t let pups jump in or out of your car until their limbs are fully developed as this can put too much strain on their joints.
SPACE TRAVEL
The method of travel can also be a tricky choice. I’ve tried all sorts, from seatbelt harnesses to plastic boxes, crates and canvas enclosures. Sometimes space is not an option, but dogs have always been part of our lives so we factor them in when we’re choosing a vehicle. I prefer to give them their own area in the boot in a canvas zip-up bed. This works incredibly well for us, as their beds go where they go, so irrespective of their surroundings, they always have a familiar place for down time. The beds are easily zipped down and carried about.
Make sure that any food or dog treats you take are at the opposite end of the car during the journey. If the dogs know that food is close by, they may stress and scratch to get at it.
LEADING THE WAY
We have many different leads for travelling; I also like to take a screw-in peg post and medium-size tether. If the fencing isn’t secure where you’re going, you can put your dog on it so everyone can have a bit freedom with peace of mind – whether it’s a relative’s back garden or a campsite. It’s best to be prepared for the unknown. Carabiners are also really helpful for ease of attaching leads to a handy anchor point.
I hope some of this helps. Happy adventures with your dog!
Watch Matt on Countryfile, Sunday nights on BBC One.
“It’s important that younger dogs don’t feel afraid of the vehicle”