More Traveling Tips:

    As we  get ready for a car trip - with Tucker included, of course - I am always thinking about his safety.  Here are a few more suggestions for safe travel with your dog.

1 - Double Check Your Micro-chip. 

     We had Tucker micro-chipped as a puppy and I felt secure in knowing that this device could help him find his way back to me.  Then, the tag on his collar got damaged (ok, Tucker chewed on it) so that his code  number could no longer be read.  I called the registry phone number to ask about a replacement tag  and found out that they had no listing for him. I called my veterinarian, got Tucker’s code, and then had him placed on the registry.  Had he not damaged his tag, I never would have known that this error had occurred.  His micro-chip would not have helped at all. 

2 - A Health Certificate.

     I carry in my car  a copy of the immunization treatments that Tucker has gotten.  This might be important if I  have to board him unexpectedly.  For extended out of state travel, my vet also recommends that I get an official Health Certificate from him - the type that accompanies an animal being commercially transported across state lines. I have never had to produce such a form, but State Officials (police, etc.) have the authority to request one.

3 - The Lost Dog Poster

     I have recommended in a previous tip that you produce a master form at home to take with you.  (You can download one from The Sensible Dog website www.thesensibledog.com.) Here is an additional idea I was given.  Identify some unique marking on your dog that is not listed on the poster.  For example, Tucker has a very unique marking on one pad of one foot. Perhaps it could be a spot on your dog’s tongue, or coloring on his gums. If someone claims to have your dog, you can ask them to identify that particular marking.  This could save you precious time, if you determine that the dog is not yours.   

4 - Seat Belts.

     Several states have or are considering passing laws requiring that dogs riding in a car be restrained, either in crates, behind gates, or with the use of seat belts.  The reasoning is that about 30% of all accidents are caused by driver distraction. And a dog jumping around inside a car could certainly be a distraction.  You might want to check the laws where you will be traveling.  You probably wouldn’t get stopped for a violation, but you could get ticketed if stopped for another reason. To be on the safe side, I always have Tucker wearing his seatbelt in the back seat.  He is active enough in the car as it is - always willing to comment on other drivers, or construction, or bicycles, or ...