On vacation and traveling with a dog

We can't wait for a vacation, and the best way to spend it is with family, including our four-legged family members who cheer us up every day. But even though holidays are relaxation for us, travel and changes in environment can be quite stressful for a dog. Many dogs become restless during the ride, drool, shake, or withdraw into a corner, and others can't calm down even upon arrival at a new location. 

The famous dog behaviorist Cesar Millan explains this: “When you are anxious, your dog also becomes anxious.” He also says that a dog doesn't really know that it's going on vacation or a trip because it lives entirely in the present moment. All it needs is a calm and confident owner who has a plan. In this article, we look at how to prepare a dog for a trip, what to bring, what the difference is between a day trip and a longer journey, how to help it in a new environment, and when it's worth reaching for additional natural support. 

What is essential for a dog on a trip 

Dog behaviorist Victoria Stilwell, host of the show It's Me or the Dog, points out an important fact that owners often overlook. Based on years of experience, she says that dogs experience fears, phobias and anxieties in a similar way to humans, including the canine version of traumatic stress. A dog that trembles in the car or barks angrily is not being "naughty", but afraid. 

Slovenian canine trainer and head of the school Lepo vzgojen pes Lea Leskošek, summarized the approach in one sentence: „You can take a well-behaved dog almost anywhere.“ The key is not in strictness, but in predictability, consistency and calm guidance. A dog that knows what will follow remains much more relaxed even in a new environment. 

Cesar Millan adds five energies that the owner brings to the dog: „calmness, tranquility, confidence, love and joy“. If the owner brings stress, the dog will take on stress. If the owner brings a sense of security, the dog will more easily accept the new situation. 

How to take care of a dog during the ride 

The most common "first stressor" is car travel. Victoria Stilwell recommends gradual desensitization for dogs who have difficulty traveling, not forcibly putting them in a crate or on the back seat. Start with a parked car, the engine off, and short encounters in and around the car with their favorite toy or treat. The goal is for the dog to associate something pleasant with the car, not a visit to the vet. 

Cesar Millan primarily focuses on the owner's calm energy. "Preparation is extremely important because the animal must be in agreement before entering the car," he says. We should never put a dog in a vehicle or carrier when it is full of physical energy, frustration, or confusion. Therefore, before leaving, a longer walk that calms and satisfies the dog makes sense. 

Practical guidelines for safe driving: 

Stilwell recommends that dog owners with severe anxiety first try calming music, lavender aroma on a pad, and a familiar blanket from home. With a blanket or toy in the car, the dog recognizes at least some “of their own”. 

What to bring with you when traveling with your dog 

A good vacation with a dog begins with a well-prepared doggy bag. The Potepanje s psom portal states in its guides for excursionists that good preparation is the difference between a relaxed vacation and an unnecessary trip to a pharmacy and store in a foreign city. 

Dog equipment includes: 

Cesar Millan advises dog owners to have at least one contact number for a veterinarian in the area where they are vacationing in their phone. The best time to prepare is in the days before departure, not the moment when help is suddenly needed. 

Day trips with a dog 

Slovenia is a true paradise for dog hikers. The portal Potepanje s psom (potepanjespsom.si) records more than 50 verified dog-friendly destinations on its map, from the Soča Trail, Logar Valley, and Pohorje to Lake Bohinj and Lake Krn, as well as dog beaches in Koper and Izola. 

The portal Družinski izleti (druzinski-izleti.si), whose section "Top dog trips in Slovenia" is led by the charming "dog teenager" Juna accompanied by her veterinarian owner, also recommends visiting Lake Bukovnica in Dobrovnik, Lake Cerknica, Limbarska gora, and the Godrnjača Trail in Bohinjska Bela. 

When planning a day trip, a simple rule applies: 

Longer trips and holidays with a dog 

For longer journeys that include overnight stays and several days in a different environment, careful planning is important. Cesar Millan emphasizes that one should not expect the dog to "automatically understand" that it's a holiday. "A person must be the same source of energy wherever they are," he says. A dog needs guidance that is the same at home or at the holiday destination. 

Stilwell recommends the following steps: 

Long journeys (more than four hours) are strenuous for the dog. Divide them into stages, include a longer walk in between, and if possible, do not plan big adventures on the first day after arrival. The dog should first get acquainted with the place. 

How the dog feels about the change of environment 

When a dog arrives at a new location, it enters a flood of unknown information. Different scents, different climate, different sounds, different light, different people. Lea Leskošek warns that today, with dogs, „behavioral problems are always increasing because these dogs live to a much greater extent in our intimate space“. The closer a dog lives with its owner, the more sensitively it reacts to every mood along the way. 

The most common signs of stress in a dog in a new environment: 

Stilwell advises that in such moments you offer the dog a space that is solely his, such as a familiar blanket, a corner of the room where no one disturbs him, and his favorite toy. At the same time, do not console the dog with a high pitched intonation ("poor thing, what's wrong with you?"), as this may reinforce his belief that something is wrong. A calm presence is more powerful than words. 

Natural dog support for a calm vacation 

This is where natural food supplements come in, which complement the daily routine without side effects. the BOO care Calming and Relaxing treats are designed precisely for dogs who struggle with travel, separation anxiety, loud noises, or a change of environment. 

The BOO care customer Ajda provided a testimony for the brand that summarizes many: "Moving is one of the most stressful events in life, and even more stressful for our pets. the BOO care greatly eased our last move, as our dogs were helped by the Calming and Relaxing treats." 

The blend works on several levels at the same time. It contains valerian root, which supports relaxation and calmer behavior, L-theanine from green tea, which supports balance and helps reduce stress responses, lemon balm powder for calming, L-tryptophan, an amino acid associated with serotonin production and well-being, magnesium glycinate, which relaxes muscles and the nervous system, and ashwagandha root, which helps with stress resistance. Also added is salmon oil (for a healthy nervous system), flaxseed oil (for balance, digestion) and inactivated brewer's yeast (source of B vitamins). 

The treats are free of artificial colors, GMOs, flavors, and preservatives. The proteins are hydrolyzed, which reduces the allergenic potential, making them suitable even for dogs with sensitive digestion. The packaging contains 60 pieces (180 g), the treats can be eaten by the dog before and during travel on their own or mixed into their daily meal. Each batch is laboratory tested, which ensures reliability. 

For a daily preventive routine, you can combine Boo Care Calming and Relaxing treats with other Boo Care products, such as Joints and Bones, Skin and Coat, Healthy Digestion and Salmon Oil. 

Practical tips for a relaxing holiday 

A conclusion that combines the thoughts of Cesar Millan, Victoria Stilwell and Lee Leskošek: 

Frequently asked questions 

How do I prepare my dog for his first long drive? Start gradually, as recommended by Victoria Stilwell. Shorter rides to pleasant destinations (park, beach), not just to the vet. Before a long trip, a longer walk, not on a full stomach, make regular stops in between. 

When should I give my dog Calm & Relax treats? You can use them daily as a preventative, but especially a few days before an anticipated stressful event (travel, moving, fireworks, vet visit). Adjust the dosage according to the dog's weight, following the instructions on the packaging. 

Are the treats suitable for all breeds and ages? Yes, they are suitable for all breeds and ages, from approximately 6 weeks of age and up. Proteins are hydrolyzed, which reduces the allergenic potential, making them mostly suitable even for dogs with sensitive digestion or dietary intolerances. 

What if the dog vomits or drools in the car? According to Stilwell's advice, this is a sign of discomfort or anxiety. Consult a vet to rule out other causes, otherwise gradually desensitize the dog to car travel with less strenuous trips to pleasant places. 

What do I do if the dog doesn't eat and shakes in a new place? Offer him a familiar blanket and a calm presence, not excessive comfort. Cesar Millan recommends taking a long walk first upon arrival, which helps the dog psychologically "take over" the new environment. 

Can I leave the dog alone in the apartment or hotel room? Only if you know that it will not bark or destroy furniture. Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety in a new environment. Cesar Millan advises that before your first departure, you engage the dog with a toy and treats, and that you leave and arrive without major emotional reactions. 

Where in Slovenia can we go on a trip with a dog? The portals "Potepanje s psom" (Wandering with a Dog) and "Družinski izleti" (Family Trips) have verified suggestions. Among the most popular are the Soča Trail, Logarska Valley, Lake Krnsko and Bohinj, Pohorje, Lake Cerknica, dog beaches in Koper and Izola, and circular trails around Limbarska Gora and Bohinjska Bela. 

Sources 

Product sources (Calm and Relax) on boo-care.si: