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May 1st
Maltipoo puppies can bring a lot of joy to anyone’s life. But even the most well behaved Maltipoo can turn into a terror in the car.
Fortunately, teaching your Maltipoo to tolerate car rides is possible. It just takes patience, preparation, and a little training.
Here, we’ll walk you through how you can keep your Maltipoo calm in the car.
Before you set out, you need to pack everything you’ll need for your trip. This will help you keep your dog comfortable in the car, and prepare you for any accidents that happen during the ride.
Here’s a list of the essentials for any road trip:
Poop bags
It’s always better to be prepared. Pack a few more than you think you’ll need for every trip
Stain and odor removers
Accidents are going to happen. Keep plenty of stain and odor removers on hand so that your car doesn’t turn into a smelly mess
Water bowl
You’ll want to keep your Maltipoo hydrated throughout the road trip
Food and treats
Make sure you pack enough of your Maltipoo’s favorite food for every trip. And bring plenty of treats as well.
Harness or crate
You should restrain your Maltipoo whenever they are in the car. Do this with a crate or with a harness
Bedding and toys
Keep your Maltipoo calm by bringing some of their favorite blankets and toys.
One of the best ways of getting a dog used to the car is starting early. This will teach your puppy not to fear the car, and build up good habits while they’re still young.
Try to drive your dog home from the breeder if you can. And start by taking short trips to places you know your puppy likes. You don’t want your dog’s first car ride to be a trip to the vet. This will make them fear the car, making your life much harder.
By taking short trips to pleasant places, your Maltipoo will see that car rides can be exciting. Slowly, increase the length of the trips. Before you know it, you’ll be able to bring your Maltipoo on cross country road trips.
In some cases, your Maltipoo may be suffering from a simple case of car sickness. This can make even the shortest car ride difficult for them.
Luckily, treating car sickness can be fairly straightforward. If you believe that your Maltipoo has as serious case of car sickness, consult with your vet. There are a number of medicines that you can use to combat the symptoms of car sickness. This will help keep your Maltipoo calm on road trips and prevent accidents.
A road trip isn’t a good time to start experimenting with new food brands. Stick to the staples and keep your dog happy on the road.
And also make sure that you have plenty of their favorite treats. You can reward good behavior, and also give them something that will keep them occupied in the car. Just make sure that you don’t overload them with treats, as you may upset their stomach.
Many dog owners feed their Maltipoo while they’re driving, thinking that the food may calm their dog down. However, riding in the car with a full belly can make your Maltipoo sick.
Try to feed your dog a few hours before the trip. This will give them time to digest and go to the bathroom before hopping in the car. And if you do need to feed them while driving, take a break to let them eat and walk around.
You may be tempted to give your dog free reign of the car. However cute this may be, it’s a bad idea, and is dangerous for both you and your dog. Even a mild accident could send your dog flying.
Always keep your dog restrained when in the car. The best way to do this is with a dog harness. This will keep them from roaming around the car and interfering with your driving. And if you should have to brake suddenly or are involved in an accident, your dog will be protected.
If you don’t want to use a harness, another option is to keep your dog in a crate. This isn’t quite as safe as a harness, as your dog can still move around. However, it’s much better than leaving them unrestrained. Just make sure that the crate isn’t too big, and that it’s tied down.
If you are not going to restrain your dog, make sure that they at least stay in the back seat. It may be adorable to have your Maltipoo sit next to you in the front seat. However, they can cause an accident if they get in your way. Play it safe and focus on driving while in the car.
If you take breaks during your car ride, it’s important that you don’t leave your dog alone in the car for long periods.
When driving during the summer, it’s advised that you always take your dog with you. Cars can heat up much more quickly than you think, putting your dog at risk of overheating.
And if you’re travelling during the winter, you shouldn’t leave your dog alone for more than a few minutes.
Still looking for the perfect Maltipoo pup? Head over to our puppy finder page to find your dream travel companion.
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