The Golden Retriever breed of dog craves attention, and loves to be surrounded by people in social gatherings and events. Away trips such as camping trips, or hikes in the country are the cream of the crop for them. Getting involved in these kinds of activities makes them feel much more as a member of the family. This is why it is important to teach your dog a few things that will allow him to become part of these events and enjoy himself without ruining the whole experience.

When packing up your dog on his first road trip, make sure to take a few snacks with you in order to feed him throughout the trip. Avoid feeding the animal generous amounts of food just prior to leaving; otherwise he is likely to get sick half way down the road. Take the food with you and give him some every now and then, as opposed as all the food in one gulp. Less food in his stomach at a time will allow him to digest easier and handle the sway movements of the car.

As part of the plan in your road trip with your dog, don’t forget to include stops for him as well. Plan an occasional stop and play a few dog games, give your pet a chance to stretch his legs and relieve himself. You may or may not want to combine these stops with your own, eventually we all need a break. Although it is not the ideal situation, your retriever will hold himself if necessary. Regardless of the distance of your trip, be considerate with your dog and plan ahead for any necessary stops.

We have all seen it in Hollywood movies, the family dog is sticking out his head and tongue out the window and we think it is alright to do that as well. As fun as this may look, a dog in this position is liable to get an eye, nose, or ear injury. Vehicles in the highway are travelling at great speeds, something could fly off, such as trash or a small bird, which could impact the head of the dog at great speed and cause serious injury.

Another common mistake made by pet owners is making a stop at the convenience store and leaving the dog locked in the car with the windows closed. Even if you open the windows just a bit to let the air in, the heat will start to rise in the interior and could be the cause for a stroke on your pet. The results of a heat stroke on your dog could be lethal in nature. If it’s absolutely imperative that you leave your dog behind, make sure you park under a shade and allow for plenty of air to breathe.

As long as you follow a few simple rules, there is no reason why you can’t take your retriever with you on away trips and enjoy each other’s company. Your dog will need a break in period in order to adapt, but you’ll be surprised at how fast they can do that. After a few trips, it will all be dog games for him. You will notice he can tell that a trip is at hand and greatly look forward to the adventure.