One of the challenges of owning a dog is traveling with your puppy companion. There are problems with traveling with any breed, but Boston Terriers come with their own set of special needs that must be addressed when taking long road trips. There are many methods, many tools, methods and techniques that are used to handle car trips with your Boston Terrier. Some work better than others. Now, how is it possible to get the best results?
Understanding and preparation is certainly the key. In the same way, the real key to getting good results when traveling with your Boston Terrier is having a lot more knowledge about what works and being properly prepared before traveling.
Here are 5 tips for smooth car travel with your Boston Terrier:
1. Take your Boston for a long ride before getting in the car.Why is this important? Boston Terriers are energetic by nature and can get bored and grumpy when they have to sit still for long periods of time. This is compounded if they haven’t had a chance for a proper bathroom break (which you know means multiple, if you already have a Boston). Make sure your friend has time to run and do business just before a long car ride. And exactly what happens when you follow this advice? You can be sure that your Boston will be content to sleep for a long portion of the trip and will be comfortable until its first scheduled rest stop.
2. Bring a plate full of ice instead of a bowl of water. Water tends to spill during a car trip, but it is absolutely necessary that your Boston has access to fresh drinking water at all times, especially if you are traveling during the summer months. Ice really helps because Boston Terriers are brachycephalic (meaning they have a short muzzle) and are very susceptible to overheating. Cold water will help your pet regulate his body temperature on a hot day.
3. Put curtains on the car windows. Again, the main reason behind this is the Boston Terrier’s heat intolerance. While you may notice that your friend is drawn to the rays of the sun on the living room floor, it is very important that they have a shady place to lie down. It’s also a good idea because Boston’s have very thin coats and are at risk of severe sunburn if exposed to direct sun for too long.
4. Have a comfortable car bed. And why is this a good idea? Car seats are designed for the comfort of human glutes, not the comfort of our canine friends. With the seat belts sticking out and sewn in strange places, they can be very uncomfortable for your dog on a long journey. Any other reason? Depending on the color of your car’s interior, the seats (and seat belts) can get very hot, enough to burn your Boston. Having a special bed for your puppy eliminates this risk.
5. Take breaks every 2 to 3 hours. And this will be important why? Like people, dogs need to rest from time to time. On a long trip, your Boston can get as uncomfortable and restless as possible. What other important reasons are there? It is not healthy or comfortable for your dog to “hold” it for long periods of time. If you notice that your dog is drinking a lot of the ice water that you have provided him, he may need to stop drinking more often. A good indicator? If you need to go, they probably will too.
One last tip: Never leave your Boston Terrier in the car on a hot or sunny day. Even on a cool day, the temperature inside a car can rise 30 degrees in less than 15 minutes, which can have deadly consequences for your traveling pet.
If you follow these 5 tips carefully, you should expect to have a happy and comfortable adventure when you travel down the road with your Boston Terrier.