Taking your Westie along can make the family vacation more fun for everyone, but only if you plan carefully. Here are some tips to make travelling with your Westie more enjoyable.
Health and Safety
No 1: - Bring your Westie to the vet for a check up before going on a long trip.
No 2: - Make sure all his vaccinations are up to date. Also take vaccination records with you. Health certifications are required for airline travel.
No 3: - To keep your Westie healthy as you travel, bring along a supply of his regular food and some local, or bottled, water.
No 4: - Be sure to bring any medications your Westie needs. These have to be prescribed by your vet.
A crate is an excellent way to keep your Westie safe in the car and is required for airline travel. It can also keep your pet from getting into trouble in a hotel or at your host's home. Crates are available from most pet supply stores. Look for these features when purchasing:
No 5: - Large enough to allow the dog to stand, turn and lie down.
No 6: - Strong, with handles and grips, and free of interior protrusions. Leak-proof bottom covered with absorbent material.
No 7: - Ventilation on opposing sides, with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow.
No 8: - "Live Animal" label, arrows upright, with owner's name, address and phone number.
No 9: - Stock the crate with a comfortable mat, your dog's favourite toy, and a water bottle, and your dog is ready to go.
No 10: - Consider a permanent form of identification, such as a microchip This is something that you should do whether you travel or not. So many things can happen to separate your dog from his identification tags. Microchips and tattoos are always there. The cost is relatively low.
For Lodging:
No 11: - Find out in advance which hotels or motels at your destination or on your route allow dogs. Many do not, or have size or breed restrictions.If your Westie is allowed to stay at a hotel, respect other guests, staff and the property.
No 12: - Keep your Westie as quiet as possible.
No 13: - Do not leave him unattended. Many dogs will bark or destroy property if left alone in a strange place. Crate him when he is left alone -turn on the TV.
Prepare For Health Problems that are Common To Most Travellers:
No 14: - Constipation can plague travelling pets. It can be caused by lack of exercise or water, infrequent stops or anxiety about strange new territories. Temporary constipation is not a serious problem and will usually clear up before long.
For a Westie, you can prepare a useful preventive with figs, prunes and raisins as well as fresh berries or other fruits in season. Bran or psyllium husks are also helpful.
No 15: - Nausea grips some animals when they ride in a car or plane, and they will either vomit or salivate excessively. The B-complex supplementation will help prevent nausea. Also, encourage your Westie to lie down on the floor of the car as a preventive.
Jeff Cuckson is Author of Mad About Westies Find out more about on how you can have the Healthiest and Happiest Westies. Go NOW to: http://www.madaboutwesties.com
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
- Puppy Dog Training Do’s And The Don’t
- Puppy Dog Training for Obedience – How to Train your Dog Puppy Properly
- Puppy Dog Toys For Your Playful Pup
- Puppy Dog Crate Training For Obedience
- Chihuahua Puppy Dog
- Puppy Dog Potty Training - 9 Housebreaking Tips
- Potty Training a Puppy Dog - Tips on Housebreaking Your Pet
- A Puppy Dog Tale of Appreciation
Amazon Parrots - Nature's Eloquent Chatterboxes
By: Mike Bordon | 28/11/2009Amazon-parrots are the best talking parrots that you can get as a pet and the double yellow headed amazon and blue fronted amazon are definitely some of the best and most intelligent of the species. Native to South America, Mexico and the Caribbean, the average life expectancy of amazon parrots is a whopping 40 to 80 years.
What All Should You Know When You Are Buying Parrots As Your Pets?
By: Mike Bordon | 28/11/2009You can either buy a parrot from a regular pet store, a specialized breeder or an owner looking to sell their bird. You should be careful with the latter option because the original owner may be trying to get rid of their parrot because it exhibits bad behavior. Thus, it's recommended that you get to know the parrot first before committing to buying it.
Chicken Coop Plans That Are Easy To Put Into Action
By: Dean James | 28/11/2009Things to consider when choosing chicken coop plans for a small backyard chicken coop construction project
Ringneck Parakeets and Parakeets - Small and Smart
By: Mike Bordon | 28/11/2009There are many different parakeet bird species in the world, all with varying personalities, handling and feeding requirements. Although this makes every parakeet bird species very different, they are also similar in many ways. All parakeets are constantly on the go, curious about their surroundings and always playing with toys or exploring the world around them. Also, they all look very similar - small, colorful birds with long, tapered tails.
An Introduction to the Wireless Dog Fence
By: Russ Elderman | 28/11/2009Have you noticed that your neighbor's dog do not run into your property anymore? You have also noticed your neighbor walking around with his pet toward some flags in their yard and that their dogs would turn back and not cross the boundary. To end your curiosity, your neighbor has...
Get the Perfect PetSafe Deluxe Little Dog Bark Control Collar
By: Russ Elderman | 28/11/2009Premium Petsafe Bark Collar Are you having issues with your dog's barks? You do not have to consider yourself a totally isolated situation. There are also hundreds of homes that have the same problem as yours. The only thing that could have probably settled their dilemma is with proper training courtesy...
Why Do Cats Get Bladder Stones?
By: Laura Ramirez | 28/11/2009If you're wondering "why do cats get bladder stones," then you probably have a pet who is suffering from this condition. Bladder crystals can be very painful and require medicine or even surgery. If you've seen how much your pet is suffering, then you'll want to treat this condition quickly and prevent it from happening in the future. This article will show you how.
6 Methods To Remedy A Dog's Appetite Loss
By: Douglas M. Parks | 28/11/2009There are lots of reasons why a canine would instantly suffer the loss of urge to eat. These causes may range from common and inoffensive - like teething, to unlucky and hazardous - like digestive troubles, to downright grotesque and bothersome - like serious worm invasion.
West Highland Terrier Dogs - Are They Right For Your Lifestyle?
By: Jeff Cuckson | 07/12/2006 | PetsWhen setting out to find the right four-legged companion for you and your family, you have to consider a few things first. Bear in mind that owning a Westie is a very special experience and the fact is that you are adding a member to your family. Therefore you are about to bring a major change to your life.
Westies - Training a West Highland Terrier To Bark Less
By: Jeff Cuckson | 04/12/2006 | PetsHow to stop your Westies barking less is going to depend on what is causing it. If it is happening when you are home, then you can start with some basic obedience commands.
Westie Dogs and Children
By: Jeff Cuckson | 31/08/2006 | PetsThere is something particularly beautiful and sweet about the relationship between kids and Westies. Growing up with a canine companion can teach children that responsible care giving is well worth the effort, for the love and loyalty they receive in return.
Choosing a Westhighland Terrier
By: Jeff Cuckson | 31/08/2006 | PetsWesties are fun loving and spirited, and have a sense of humor There is no question that the West Highland White Terrier is a versatile and remarkable breed. To know more about them
15 Must Know Tips When Travelling With Your Westie
By: Jeff Cuckson | 19/07/2006 | PetsMake Your Vacation or Long Trip More Enjoyable For Everyone including your west highland white terrier
Westie Rescue - For the Love of Westies!
By: Jeff Cuckson | 12/05/2006 | PetsPurebred dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters, and volunteers can be found in every state to seek them out. West Highland White Terriers (Westies) and even breeds considered rare, all pass through shelters every year. Those who perform Westie rescue are committed to matching homeless terriers with loving new owners.
Westie Pups - Tips for Success in Housetraining
By: Jeff Cuckson | 12/05/2006 | PetsPerhaps the best way to train your westie pups not to relieve themselves in your house is to never let the behavior start in the first place. Learning to anticipate your westie puppies need to 'go' takes time, and extra attention to your pups when they are small, but it should make the learning process less stressful for everyone.