Written By: Zach Miller
"Traveling with your dog can be a big challenge for some dog owners. Having worked in Fire/Rescue for 14 years, I have seen far too many incidents where the dog perished due to the dog not being properly secured and proper preparations being done."
As a duck hunter, you know that your dog is an essential part of your hunting experience. Your gundog is not just a pet, but a hunting partner that helps you retrieve ducks and makes your hunting experience more enjoyable. However, traveling with your gundog can be challenging, especially if you are not prepared. Far too often this gets overlooked due to the media and old-ways. Here are some tips for safely traveling with your gundog whether it's to the back end of the property or across the country to find that next honey hole!
1. Plan Ahead
Before you hit the road, make sure you have everything you need for your dog. This includes food, water, bowls, a leash, a crate, and any medications your dog may need. You should also research the area you will be hunting in to find out if there are any restrictions on dogs or if there are any local laws you need to be aware of. We discuss these topics in detail in our article, “What Does A Pro Gundog Trainer Keep In His Truck”, go check that out after reading this! Knowing the route is the most important part of this, how long is the trip, where will our breaks be, can a dog use this break area to potty? When I was running gundogs in Pennsylvania, the law stated that when transporting canines on the road, the driver must stop at a minimum of 2 hrs to let the dog(s) out. I still use this timing method to this day, it has never failed me and I have never had an accident in the boxes (crates).
2. Get Your Gundog Used To The Crate
If you plan on traveling with your dog I highly recommend using a crate. The benefits of this are unmatched. If you are looking for the best recommendations to the safest crates, check out our article, “Top 5 Gundog Travel Kennels” after reading this one! Ensure proper crate training has been accomplished and you have done a few test runs with the truck/car kennel, while they are very similar to the indoor one, always do a practice run before getting the dog in there. If the dog’s first time in the truck/car crate is when you leave for the trip, we have failed the dog. Be sure your dog is comfortable with it before you leave. Start by introducing your dog to the crate at home and gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends in it. This will help your dog feel more comfortable and less anxious when traveling. This brings up the “old-ways” topic. I absolutely love having my dog ride shotgun with me and I see it very frequently on the road; however, after seeing one too many accidents where the driver stated they had their dog on their lap or in the passenger seat, it makes you reconsider. Use a crate.
3. Keep Your Gundog Hydrated
Dogs can become dehydrated quickly, especially when traveling. Make sure you have plenty of water for your dog and offer it to them frequently. You can also add a few ice cubes to the water to keep it cool if you are in warmer climates. Hydration is key no matter what we are doing with our gundogs, there is just no way around this. One thing to strongly consider is the fact that the more we give them, the more frequently we have to stop. Please do not interpret this as never giving your dog water; more so, don’t leave a full container of water in the crate with them. Properly monitor their water intake in conjunction with stopping every 2 hrs. By sticking to these guidelines, you will never see a wet trail going down your tailgate!
4. Take Breaks
Just like humans, dogs need to stretch their legs and take breaks when traveling. Plan to stop every few hours to let your dog out of the truck/car to stretch, go to the bathroom, and get some exercise. This will help your dog stay comfortable and reduce the risk of injury. If you’re like me and do not enjoy really long road trips, you stop frequently to stretch, eat and just relax for a bit, dogs are no different. By this point, I probably sound like a broken record with saying how I stop every 2 hrs. With that in mind, I use that as a gauge for other things. If I am going up the coast to compete or hunt, and say it is a 10 hr trip, on my 2nd or 3rd stop, I’m bringing the dogs out and giving them some short bursts of exercise. This stimulates their mind and keeps them fresh and loose for when we arrive. What I have found is that by doing this, you don't end up with a “loaded gun” of a dog when you arrive at your destination.
5. Keep Your Gundog Safe
When traveling with your dog, it is important to keep them safe, this is simply the best thing to always remember. Make sure your dog is secured in the crate of your choice and if you choose to put them in the cab, ensure they are belted properly into a vehicle harness. That will be the only time on record you will hear me talk highly of a harness! This will help prevent injury in the event of an accident. You should also make sure your dog is wearing a collar with identification tags in case they get lost during breaks. All of our dogs have gone through proper obedience training and never bolt; however, some readers may not be at this point.
In conclusion, traveling with your gundog can be a fun and rewarding experience, and it truly does not have to be a challenging experience if the proper steps have been followed and understood but it requires proper planning and preparation. By following these tips, you can ensure that your gundog is comfortable, safe, and ready to help you retrieve ducks on your next hunting trip.
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