Before em-barking (see what we did there?) on a long road trip, give your pet time to become familiar with spending time in a car. Sit with your buddy inside a parked car with the engine off. Once your pet is comfortable being in the car, you can start taking short drives to a local park for playtime — not to the vet. This will create a positive association between car rides and fun. You should reward your pet with treats and praise after each ride. As your pet becomes more accustomed to car travel, start to gradually increase the length of your trips.
And, of course, pets are not excluded from the old adage to buckle up for safety! Make sure your pet is safe and secure in the back seat. You can invest in a pet car seat, travel crate or seat belt leash to keep your dog restrained in the back. Preventing your pet from wandering freely around the car will not only keep them safe, but it will reduce distraction for the driver as well. A travel crate is a great option, as it provides extra protection in the event of a crash.
No matter how much you love cuddling with your pet, never let him or her sit on your lap when you’re behind the wheel. Not only is it a major distraction, but it’s also extremely dangerous for your favorite canine (or feline). A slam on the breaks could squish them between you and the steering wheel. And even the most well-behaved lapdog can be startled by a noise and decide to hop down to the floor between the pedals.
Please, keep all paws inside the moving vehicle. As adorable as it is to see a furry face hanging out a car window, we do not recommend allowing your dog to do so. Another car, a tree branch or an unexpected obstacle could come too close and injure your pup.
Give your pet a light meal no less than four hours before leaving on your journey, and refrain from feeding Fido in the car to prevent motion sickness. Make pit stops every two to three hours to allow time for bathroom breaks and exercise. If your pet is notorious for, well, leaving their mark, invest in a waterproof seat cover and rubberized floor mat.
Keep your companion comfortable by regulating the temperature. Make sure the air is circulating in the back where your sidekick is sitting. If your car is capable of isolating the radio, keep the sound up front for the humans so you don’t irritate your pet’s sensitive ears. It’s bad enough they have to listen to your singing during the road trip.
This should go without saying but never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. Even with the windows cracked, the inside of a car can reach 104 degrees in just 10 minutes on an 85-degree day.
When you arrive to a Pet Friendly Yonder Luxury Vacation Rental, here are some great activities that you can do with your pup!
Ghost Hunters of Asheville, Asheville
If you are looking for a day of spooky fun with your pooch, you should embark on one of the three interactive tours offered by Ghost Hunters of Asheville and enjoy a fun excursion of hunting for ghosts around Asheville, while learning Asheville’s history and lore from friendly and knowledgeable guides. These tours give you the chance to use ghost-hunting equipment, such as EMF meters and dowsing rods. You can even choose a ghost tour that involves wine tastings. Asheville offers a variety of pet friendly dining options, such as White Duck Taco Shop.
French Broad Outfitters Float Trips, Asheville
Explore Asheville with your pooch and family in a unusual way and take one of French Broad Outfitters float trips. Your four legged friend is allowed on one of the three unique float trips on the French Broad River, giving you the option of exploring attractions such as the River Arts District and the Biltmore Estate. Enjoy a meal and brew with your pup at Westville Pub in Asheville after your adventure.
Burntshirt Vineyards, Hendersonville
If you are a wine lover, you can savor many unique flavors of wine with your furry best friend at this pet friendly vineyard in Hendersonville. Your pup is allowed to join you in the tasting room and throughout the large vineyard. Burntshirt Vineyards offers gourmet boxed lunches or you are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on the patio or at the designated picnic area. There are also other pet friendly restaurants in the area, such as Mike’s On Main and the Flat Rock Wood Room, where you can enjoy a meal with your pooch after a day at the vineyard.
Craggy Gardens, Ivy
Stop at this beautiful attraction in Ivy (near Weaverville and Asheville) to enjoy one of the most stunning views of the Blue Ridge Parkway with your pup. Experience the beautiful flora and fauna as you partake in a 1.5-mile round-trip hike on the popular trail, Craggy Pinnacle, which leads you through a tunnel of rhododendrons to an amazing 360-degree view at the summit. It is suggested that you visit Craggy Gardens in mid to late June to see the dazzling display of the pink and purple rhododendron blooms. If you are hungry after your hike, there is a dog friendly restaurant a mere 20 minutes away in Weaverville called Blue Mountain Pizza and Brew Pub.
SkyTop Orchard, Zirconia
Spend the day with your furry best friend in a “pick-your-own” orchard in Zirconia (near Flat Rock), which offers a wide variety of apples, grapes, pears, and pumpkins, as well as numerous pre-picked fruit and other treats. SkyTop’s deliciously famous apple and pumpkin donuts are made daily and served hot. You can enjoy these treats at the picnic shelters and you and your pup can explore the play area, ponds and bamboo forest, and see the barnyard animals. SkyTop Orchard is less than a 10-minute drive from Hubba Hubba Smokehouse in Flat Rock, where you can enjoy its famous barbecue with your pet.
