Traveling with Australian Shepherds: Tips for Car Rides and Flying

Traveling with Australian Shepherds: Tips for Car Rides and Flying

Australian Shepherds are a popular dog breed that have become common family pets in many households. Their intelligence and loyal nature makes them wonderful companions at home and on the go. However, the Australian Shepherd’s high energy temperament does require some special considerations when traveling to ensure they are happy, comfortable, and well-behaved. This article will provide tips for traveling successfully with Australian Shepherds in vehicles and airplanes.

Preparing an Australian Shepherd for Travel

The key to minimizing travel stress for Australian Shepherds is advance preparation. Taking steps to get your Aussie comfortable with the idea of traveling helps prevent anxiety on the actual trip. Useful preparations include:

Crate training – Introduce and positively reinforce spending time in a crate or carrier so it feels safe and familiar. This aids car and air travel.
Vehicle exposure – Take your Australian Shepherd on frequent short car trips to positive experiences like the park so they associate rides with fun.
ID tag – Be sure your Aussie’s collar ID tag has your current contact info in case they get lost during travel. A microchip is also wise.
Documents – For air travel, ensure your Australian Shepherd’s vaccinations and health certificate from your vet are up-to-date.
Familiar items – Bring along your Aussie’s favorite toys, treats, and bedding to help make unfamiliar travel environments more comfortable.

Getting an Australian Shepherd accustomed to car rides, their crate, and handling from a young age pays off when it comes time for trips. Proper preparation prevents many potential travel issues.

Car Travel Tips for Australian Shepherds

Road trips by vehicle are one of the most convenient ways to travel with Australian Shepherds. Whether driving across multiple states or taking a quick trip to the beach or park, following these car travel tips will help your Aussie enjoy the ride:

Safety restraint – Use a crate secured in the backseat or a dog seat belt harness to keep your Australian Shepherd safely restrained. Never let them roam loose.
Potty breaks – Stop at least every 3-4 hours for your Aussie to stretch their legs, relieve themselves, and get fresh air and water.
Avoid feeding – Don’t feed your Australian Shepherd within 2 hours before departing or while in motion to prevent car sickness. Offer small treats and water though.
Entertainment – Bring interactive chew toys and engage your Aussie with play to prevent boredom and restlessness on long rides.
Comfort – Ensure your Australian Shepherd stays cool with A/C and has bedding if needed. Open windows can allow dangerous jumping.
Obedience – Practice commands like “settle” so you can redirect unwanted behavior while driving, like barking or pacing.
Reward calmness – Use treats and praise to reinforce when your Australian Shepherd relaxes or lays down, teaching them to stay calm in the car.

Planning adequate stops and preventing motion sickness allows both you and your Australian Shepherd to enjoy road trip adventures together.

Flying with Australian Shepherds

While traveling by air requires more preparation, Australian Shepherds can adapt well to flying. Following airline pet policies and taking steps to reduce stress will make the flight easier on your Aussie. Tips for air travel success include:

Airline approval – Contact the airline to ensure your Australian Shepherd meets size and breed restrictions. Fees and paperwork are usually required.
Comfortable crate – Get an airline-approved crate and introduce it slowly at home for comfort. Attach food and water bowls.
ID tag – Display clearly visible contact info on your Australian Shepherd’s collar in case they get loose.
Sedative OK – Get vet approval to administer a mild sedative to relieve flying anxiety. Test it out beforehand to ensure safety.
Direct flights – Choose direct routes when possible to minimize time in the airport and avoid missed connections.
Crate acclimation – Spend time in the car and public places with your Aussie crated to get them more comfortably confined.
Pre-flight exercise – Take a long walk or play session to tire out your Australian Shepherd before their flight. This promotes relaxation.
Arrive early – Ensure you arrive at the airport with plenty of time in case of delays and to acclimate your Aussie before boarding.

With proper conditioning and planning, Australian Shepherds can adapt to air travel relatively smoothly. The key is setting them up for success by reducing stress and over-excitement.

Best Practices for Road Trips with Australian Shepherds

From quick trips into town to cross-country journeys, road trips allow you to bring your Australian Shepherd companion everywhere you go. Follow these best practices for smooth, stress-free car travel:

Use a secured crate or restraint harness – Loose Australian Shepherds can become a dangerous distraction or risk injury if uncontrolled in a moving vehicle. Proper restraint keeps your Aussie safe.
Pack a bag with supplies – Bring food, treats, medications, wipes, an extra leash, toys, bedding, bowls, plastic bags, and anything else you or your Australian Shepherd may need.
Ensure good ventilation – Crack windows or run the A/C to keep your Australian Shepherd cool, but avoid allowing the ability to jump out open windows.
Schedule adequate exercise – Plan stops every 2-3 hours to let your Australian Shepherd stretch their legs, play, relieve themselves, eat, and drink. Long periods crated can cause restlessness.
Monitor for car sickness – Signs include drooling, whining, and panting. If your Australian Shepherd seems nauseous, pull over as soon as safely possible.
Keep a “favorite” toy or chew handy – Having a comforting or entertaining item can help soothe Australian Shepherd anxiety during long rides.
Take pet-friendly lodging – When overnighting, opt for hotels that allow dogs so your Australian Shepherd can join you in the room versus being isolated.

With preparation and attentiveness, road trips with an Australian Shepherd are totally possible. Your Aussie companion can stay healthy, safe, and have fun on the open road.

Top Road Trip Activities with Australian Shepherds

One of the great benefits of traveling with Australian Shepherds is the ability to enjoy fun activities together at your destination. Australian Shepherds thrive when they can stay active mentally and physically. Great road trip activities you can do together include:

Hiking – Find trails that allow leashed dogs so your Australian Shepherd can explore nature safely. Ensure proper hydration and rest periods.
Swimming – Dogs love swimming and many Australian Shepherds enjoy retrieving toys from lakes or oceans. Always supervise and prevent drinking salt water.
Dog parks – Fenced dog parks allow safe off-leash play for socializing and exercise. Avoid parks with aggressive dogs.
Sightseeing– Leashed urban sightseeing allows your Australian Shepherd to take in new sights and sounds. Just beware of the hot pavement and rest often.
Camping – Camping provides the ultimate outdoor adventure with your Australian Shepherd to hike, play, explore, and bond. Choose pet-friendly sites.
Agility – Seek out parks with DIY agility equipment or dog sports facilities along your route for mental and physical enrichment.
Picnics – Stop at parks with shade and grass for a relaxing lunch or dinner picnic with your Australian Shepherd to enjoy together.

Road trips enable endless memorable activities with your Australian Shepherd best friend. Take advantage of the ability to explore new places together.

Flying with an Australian Shepherd in Cabin vs. Cargo

When air travel is necessary, owners always have concerns over flying with their Australian Shepherd in the cabin versus flying as cargo in the hold. There are pros and cons to each to consider:

Cabin

Pros:

Close supervision and ability to comfort your Aussie
Less risk of extreme temperatures
Overall less stress for your Australian Shepherd

Cons:

Australian Shepherds over 25 lbs must fly cargo
Costs more
Less roomy, may require sedation

Cargo

Pros:

Allows larger dogs and saves money
Some Aussies tolerate it well
Less disruptive to other passengers

Cons:

No ability to reassure your Australian Shepherd
Risk of temperature extremes
Higher stress traveling alone

Ultimately, flying in a cabin is ideal if your Australian Shepherd is under 25 lbs. For larger Aussies, assess their tolerance for confinement, seek vet advice, and take proper precautions if going the cargo route. Both have trade-offs.

Tips for Calming Anxious Australian Shepherds During Air Travel

While Australian Shepherds can adapt well to air travel with conditioning, some may still become anxious due to confinement, unfamiliar environments, noises, and motion sickness. Try these tips to ease air travel anxiety:

Arrange a pre-flight vet visit to obtain sedatives as needed for high stress.
Use an Adaptil collar or anti-anxiety vest to help calm your Australian Shepherd.
Ensure your Aussie empties its bladder and bowels before airport screening.
Administer motion sickness medication if recommended by your veterinarian.
Choose direct flights whenever possible to minimize total travel time.
Use a snug-fitting airline approved harness inside their crate for added security.
Pack familiar absorbent puppy training pads and toys in the crate for comfort.
Feed your Australian Shepherd a light meal 3-4 hours pre-flight to prevent nausea.
Use pheromone spray on crate bedding and a t-shirt with your scent for reassurance.

While most Australian Shepherds become accustomed to air travel with positive associations and conditioning, for those prone to high anxiety these tactics can help reduce distress.

Introducing a Newly Adopted Australian Shepherd to Car Travel

Bringing home an Australian Shepherd from a shelter or rescue marks the beginning of an exciting new life together. But some newly adopted Aussies may not immediately take well to car travel if they have no prior positive experiences. Here are some tips for successfully introducing your adopted Australian Shepherd to car rides:

Start at home by getting them comfortable crated and in your parked vehicle with treats and praise. Take it slow.
Keep your first car trip short with a fun destination like a park for playtime. Bring high-value treats.
Use blankets from the shelter or a worn t-shirt in their crate to help retain a familiar scent.
For signs of anxiety like panting, shaking or whining, speak soothingly and consider an over-the-counter calming aid.
Practice basic obedience commands on car rides to redirect their attention to you.
Always remain positive – your energy will influence your Australian Shepherd’s attitude.
Increase trip duration gradually as your newly adopted Aussie adjusts. Avoid overwhelming them initially.

With time, patience, and positive associations, most adopted Australian Shepherds adjust quickly to become happy travelers. The key is taking the introduction slowly to build their confidence.

Common Australian Shepherd Health Concerns During Travel

While travel should be fun and exciting for both you and your Australian Shepherd, it also poses some health risks to be aware of. The most common travel-related health concerns for Aussies include:

Motion sickness – Nausea and vomiting can occur during lengthy car or air travel. Reduce risk by not feeding before travelling and giving anti-nausea medication if needed.
Overheating – Never leave Australian Shepherds waiting in vehicles on warm days. Their thick coats and lower heat tolerance make them prone to heat stroke.
Dehydration – Offer regular water during travel and activity to prevent dangerous dehydration, especially in hot, humid climates.
Joint pain – Arthritic or dysplastic Australian Shepherds may see flare-ups from being confined for long periods. Stretching breaks help.
Respiratory issues – Brachycephalic Aussies are vulnerable to breathing issues if overheated or stressed. Keep their crate cool and calm them.
Paw injuries – Chemicals and hot pavement can burn paws. Carry your Australian Shepherd when needed and pack protective booties.

While most travel health risks can be minimized with proper planning, always know how to recognize signs of distress in your Aussie. Never hesitate to come home early or seek veterinary care if needed. Your Australian Shepherd’s wellbeing should take top priority.

Travel Etiquette for Australian Shepherds

When traveling with your Australian Shepherds, it’s important to follow proper etiquette to avoid disturbing other people or jeopardizing access rights for traveling pets. Key etiquette tips include:

Always keep your Australian Shepherd leashed in public places unless in a specific designated off-leash area. Maintain control.
Clean up after your Aussie promptly and dispose of waste bags appropriately. Carry extra bags.
Avoid allowing excessive barking in hotels, campsites, or rental housing that may disturb neighbors.
Be respectful if other people or animals seem wary or uncomfortable around your Australian Shepherd and give them distance.
Ensure your Aussie remains seated at your feet or crated during flights. Never block aisles.
Bring a mat or towel to place under crates or carriers in airports and hotels to protect their surfaces.
Bring noise cancelling headphones for airplane trips in case your Australian Shepherd gets anxious and vocalizes.
Politely explain that your Australian Shepherd is a service dog if questioned when entering public establishments. Carry documentation.

Following etiquette guidelines preserves access rights for responsible Australian Shepherd owners. It keeps travel pleasant for all involved.

Travel Gear Recommendations for Australian Shepherds

The right gear makes traveling with Australian Shepherds much smoother. Recommended items to transport your Aussie include:

Sturdy airline-approved crate – Essential for air travel and very helpful for vehicle containment and safety. Ensure it meets all size guidelines.
Dog seat belt harness – Choose a crash-tested harness that attaches to standard seat belts without allowing loose roaming.
Portable food bowls – Bring collapsible bowls for hassle-free food and water stops. Carry extra water.
Dog vehicle restraint – Attachable barriers or zip-in panels keep your Australian Shepherd safe in the backseat area.
Backseat dog bed – Orthopedic and cooling beds provide cozy naps during road trips. Waterproof lining helps.
Dog ramp – For senior or mobility-challenged Australian Shepherds, a folding ramp helps them easily get in and out of a vehicle.
Dog travel bag – Consolidates food, bowls, meds, grooming supplies, cleanup bags, and other road trip dog gear.

Investing in quality gear suited for car and air travel helps set you and your Australian Shepherd up for travel success and convenience.

Fostering a Love of Travel in Australian Shepherd Puppies

The easiest time to get an Australian Shepherd comfortable with travel is during puppyhood. By exposing Aussie puppies to car rides and new environments, often from a young age, they can grow into dogs who truly enjoy joining you on adventures near and far. Useful tips include:

Carry puppies to the car and reward with treats just for exposure. Then graduate to very short trips.
Bring along familiar toys and bedding when able to help retain a sense of home and security.
Socialize puppies in new environments like pet stores, parks, and stores that allow dogs. Let them take it all in.
Enroll in a puppy kindergarten class to improve manners, social skills, and confidence.
Take puppies on car trips to fun destinations like hiking trails, beaches, and parks regularly so they associate rides with enjoyment.
Use a secure crate or harness from the first trip to set a lifetime habit of safe vehicle restraint.

Starting young and building up positive experiences sets the foundation for Australian Shepherd puppies to become happy adult travelers for years to come. Be proactive during puppyhood to instill excellent travel behaviors.

In summary, traveling with Australian Shepherds requires planning, preparation, restraint, and attentiveness to their needs. However, with proper conditioning, equipment and owner diligence, Aussies can thrive on road trips near and far as well as adapt well to air travel. Travel allows wonderful opportunities for shared adventures and memories with your Australian Shepherd companion. Put in the work upfront and enjoy all the places you’ll go together. We highly recommend traveling with Australian Shepherds!