Tips for Traveling in Spring with Your Dog

Dog Tips for Spring

Every season presents different challenges and experiences when you have a dog. Weather changes can elicit different behaviors from your pet and the animals that live out in the wild. In the spring, plants and trees will start to grow. These are some of the things you will want to be aware of because they can affect you and your pup when it is time to hit the trails. I love traveling with our dogs in the spring because the weather doesn’t get too hot or cold, so our pups are the most comfortable when we take them camping and hiking. Before you hit the road, here are some of the best tips for traveling in Spring with your dog so they can stay safe.

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Spring Safety Dog Tips

Spring is a wonderful time of year. People and animals both start emerging from their homes ready to spend time in the warm weather and soak up the sun. Here are some quick spring tips to help you keep your dog safe during your travel adventures.

Distractions

For some reason, smells seem to magnify in the spring for pups which can cause them to be very easily distracted. There will also be a lot of smells that they haven’t been able to enjoy for a while as more animals start to venture out. This means that they may be slower to respond to your commands if you are trying to get them to come back to you or leave something alone.

Training Frustrations

A lot of owners get frustrated when the weather warms up and they start walking their dogs regularly again. Your dogs may pull a lot or bark loud and often at other people and animals as you walk by. Be prepared to do a little refresher training with loose leash walking and other behaviors.

Remember, it might have been months since they have been walked outside or have been around other people due to winter weather. Be patient and remember to reward your pup when they are walking well, and you will be back to having nice relaxing walks again in no time.

Heavy Shedding

If you live in a colder climate, you may have noticed your dog became fluffier because they grew a ‘winter’ coat to help keep them warm. With the higher temperatures, they won’t need that thicker coat anymore which means lots and lots of shedding. Be careful driving with the windows down if you have a heavy shedder. The hair flying around can make it hard to see!

Weather Changes

During the early months of Spring, you can randomly get hit with a really cold day or night or hot one. Always bring plenty of water for your pup, especially during those random hot days! It also helps to have a jacket if your dog doesn’t deal with cold well for those sudden temperature drops.

Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitoes

With the warmer weather, fleas and ticks start to come out again. These bugs carry a variety of diseases for animals like Lyme disease, tapeworms, and heartworms. Some of these diseases are treatable but some are not and diseases like heartworm can be very expensive to treat.

The best thing you can do for your dog is making sure you stay on top of their heartworm, flea, and tick preventive medications.  After any walks or hikes in tall grass or in the woods, you will also want to look them over for any ticks that may have climbed on them.  It is also a good idea to check yourself for any ticks too.

Reptiles

Lizards, turtles, tortoises, snakes, alligators, and crocodiles are all cold-blooded animals which means that they regulate their body temperature using the environment around them. In the spring, you will be more likely to come across these guys sunning themselves on hot rocks or hiking trails so they can soak up the heat of the sun.

Keep an eye out so your dog and the reptiles stay safe from harm. Most of these animals that you come across aren’t aggressive and the best thing that you can do is just avoid them. This way they won’t feel like they have to protect themselves from you or your pup.

Springtime Babies

Spring is full of baby animals in the wild. Many mothers and their young will be just starting to explore the world in the search of food and to learn how to survive on their own. Baby animals tend to be fragile, and they are not as able to escape or protect themselves from attacks.

On the other hand, mothers protecting their young can be quite aggressive and ferocious. Be careful when you are out on your adventures in nature. Keep your dog close, preferably on a leash, and be aware of your surroundings. This should go without saying, but do not allow your dog to harass or try to play with wildlife. It can be dangerous for you, your dog, and especially the animals- not to mention illegal.

Spring Rain

“April showers bring May flowers”.  Rain is a common occurrence in most places this time of year. Be prepared for wet dogs and muddy paws.  It helps to carry at least one dry towel in the car for your pup before they get back in your vehicle. I’d also either carry an additional towel or wipes to clean their feet if they are muddy. Keep in mind that some of the hiking trails may be extra slippery with all the mud.

Melting Snow

Warmer weather means melting snow. As it melts, every item that had been dropped over the winter months will be uncovered. Keep a close eye on your dog to make sure they don’t hurt themselves by stepping on something sharp or swallowing something dangerous as the snow disappears. It is always a good idea to keep a first aid kit on hand just in case of an emergency.

Flooding

With all the extra water flowing from the spring rains and the melting snow, be aware of floods. If you will be participating in water sports like kayaking, canoeing, or swimming you will also want to check on the changing currents.

If you are camping, be careful where you set up your tent. Make sure you avoid any flood plains and set up your site on higher ground if possible. You may also want to have a backup plan in case your campsite reservation gets canceled due to flooding, or your tent starts to leak.

Unstable Ground

Be very careful hiking on mountain trails during this time of year. With all the spring rain (anytime there is a lot of rain really) the water can make the ground unstable. This can cause the trails to become slippery with mud AND even give way.

Make sure you keep your dog close and away from any ledges or cliffs. I also prefer to use a harness on our dogs instead of attaching the leash to their collars because of the extra support in case they slip. Every year several hikers end up falling and severely injuring themselves or even dying because they got too close to the edge of a mountain to get a better picture.

Toxic plants

Those May flowers are beautiful, but keep in mind some plants may be toxic to your pup. If your dog likes to gnaw on grasses and other plants, it is important to know which ones may be harmful to them. It also helps to know what symptoms to watch out for in case they accidentally ingest something that might make them sick.

Enjoy Your Spring Adventures!

I firmly believe that spring is one of the best times to travel with your dog. The temperatures aren’t as extreme, so it tends to be safer and more enjoyable for your pup, especially if you are hiking or camping. As a dog owner, there are different things to be aware of each season to keep our pets safe and healthy when we travel, and springtime is no different. I highly encourage you to do a little research on the wild animal and native plants that live in the area that you will be visiting and keep a close eye on weather conditions. With a little extra effort, you and your dog will be prepared for any situation and will make more fantastic memories together!

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