In this episode of So Let’s Talk About Pets, host Victoria explores the topic of travelling with your dog, focusing on how to manage travel sickness, anxiety, and fear while on the road. She shares a case study from her work with Life With Dogs, discussing a dog’s fear of car travel and how to desensitise and counter-condition these behaviours. Victoria also interviews Ben, a vet from Market Town Vets in Shrewsbury, who offers advice on travel health and how to manage heat exhaustion and other concerns during summer trips.
Key Takeaways
Desensitising Travel Anxiety: Working slowly with your dog and using positive reinforcement helps alleviate anxiety. Building confidence through calm exposure is key to overcoming car travel fear.
Recognising Fear vs. Sickness: Travel sickness and anxiety can look similar in dogs, with signs like panting, agitation, or excessive salivation. Careful observation and a process of elimination can help determine the cause.
Using Treats and Toys: Treats and interactive toys, like Kongs, can help make the car a more positive space for dogs, providing a calm environment while they adjust to the car.
Preventing Heat Exhaustion: In hot weather, always ensure your dog has plenty of water and shade, and avoid travel during the hottest parts of the day, especially for brachycephalic breeds.
Safety on the Beach: Be cautious about sand ingestion, seawater, and sharp objects when visiting dog-friendly beaches. Always supervise your dog to prevent injury or illness.
Key Moments
“The key to overcoming car travel anxiety is letting the dog choose their own pace. Never push them beyond their comfort zone.”
“Start with short, calm car journeys and gradually work up to longer trips.”
“When it comes to travel sickness, always check with your vet for the best course of action—sometimes it’s a matter of treating both anxiety and sickness.”
“For beach trips, make sure your dog stays hydrated and watch for signs of discomfort from the heat or sand.”
About All Tails Media
Victoria is the founder and lead photographer at All Tails Media, combining her expertise in animal behaviour and media to create impactful visual content. Having studied animal behaviour and welfare at Harper Adams University and qualified as a dog behaviourist, Victoria then earned her Master Photographer certification with The MPA. Mentored by the UK’s only multi-award-winning grandmaster, she celebrates 20 years as a professional photographer in 2025.
All Tails Media offers creative media solutions tailored for pet sector businesses, find out more here: https://www.alltailsmedia.com/
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