Do you have a dog? Do you enjoy traveling? If your
answer to both questions is “yes,” then you’ll need a carrier or crate.
However, just having the means to transport your pet isn’t going to be enough.
You need to ensure your four-legged partner feels as excited as you for every
trip. It means you must train him/her to use the bag. With every passing day,
it’s getting easier to travel with your pet to cafes, restaurants, hotels,
bars, and shopping, even if you need to ride a train, subway, or a flight to
reach your destination. First, however, you require your doggie to love the bag
in which he/she will be traveling with you.
Selecting a carrier: Finding fashionable dog carriers shouldn’t be a problem as long as you have access to companies like Posh Puppy Boutique. Then again, you need to know what to look for. For instance, the bag should come with zips that close fully and handle the animal’s weight. It should also prevent other dog-averse people from feeling nervous knowing that you’re a responsible pet parent. Tote-style bags are usually the best because they have an opening through which your pet can poke his/her head out. Built-in tethers are also crucial as they will attach to your pooch’s harness and stop him/her from slipping out.
Start with treats: Once you find the fashionable
dog carriers you need, the only thing that remains is to teach your pet to
use them. You need to drive his/her interest in the bag. Start by sprinkling a
few doggie treats in the bag. You can also drop an entire meal in it, provided
the food is dry. Now, put the bag on the floor and go far away from it. Keep
watching your pet from a distance as he/she interacts with the bag for five
minutes or so. Just repeat the activity until your furry friend dives inside
the bag confidently to eat the food.
Luring: If the shape of the bag permits it, lure your pet
with doggie treats into it. Don’t forget to drop several treats when he/she is
inside. Otherwise, you can pick him/her up and place him/her inside the bag.
Just make sure you do it gently. Finally, pull him/her out of the bag before
he/she starts getting annoyed. You have to repeat this activity until your
pooch doesn’t struggle or hesitate at all.
Language connection: Now, you must verbally communicate that you need
your doggie to stay inside the bag. “Get in the bag” is a good phrase, to begin
with, but you can’t expect him/her to follow your command so easily in the
beginning. After you say the words, guide him/her to the bag as you did in the
previous steps. Keep practicing it several times.
Lifting or rolling: Now, you may consider lifting the bag and walking
around inside your house with your doggie in it. You may also roll it around if
it has wheels. Remember to keep dropping doggie treats inside the bag every few
seconds. You should also release your pet from the bag before he/she starts
feeling uncomfortable.
Hit the road: By this stage, your pet shouldn’t mind using the
carrier. For the first trip, take him/her somewhere he/she likes to go, such as
the park or pet supply store, for example. Just don’t take him/her directly to
the veterinarian’s office.
Final
words
As already mentioning above, finding and buying bags
and crates isn’t the difficult part. The challenge lies in training your pet to
use it. With these guidelines, however, your doggie should be ready to hit the
streets in no time.
