"Should We Go?" Traveling With a Dog Who Lives for the Road

There are two words in our house that Tobby understands better than any command: "lake" and "should we go?" The moment he hears either of them, he is at the door. And if he sees the car door open, even for a second, he flies straight in, settles on the seat and looks at us as if to say: well, what are we waiting for?

Tobby lives for the road. He loves the wind through the open window, the smells of the countryside, and most of all, the animals we meet along the way. Sheep on a mountain road, cows by the fence, a horse in a field: he wants to greet every single one of them. He leans out, wags his tail, makes friends from a distance. But if one of them comes too close, my brave traveler suddenly becomes very shy and quietly steps back behind me. If you have read The Bravest Coward, this will not surprise you.

On the way home, after a long day of swimming and sniffing everything, he usually falls asleep curled up on the seat with his head on the armrest, as if he owns the car. In a way, he does.

Traveling with a dog this happy is a joy. But after a few trips I learned that a little preparation makes every drive calmer, safer and cleaner, for him and for us. These are the four things that made the biggest difference.

1. A Seat Cover for Wet Paws and Muddy Adventures

A lake day means a wet dog. A forest walk means muddy paws, sand and a surprising amount of hair. A waterproof hammock-style cover protects the back seat completely, and because it hangs between the front and back seats, it also keeps an excited dog from climbing forward while you drive. At the end of the trip you shake it out, and the car is clean again.

2. A Seat Belt Harness, for Peace of Mind

Tobby loves looking out of the window, and I love watching him do it. But a sudden brake can send a dog flying forward. A car harness or seat belt tether clips into the seat belt buckle and lets him sit, lie down and look around, while keeping him safely in his place. It took him two trips to get used to it, and now he doesn't even notice it.

3. Water Wherever the Road Goes

After running along the lake or exploring a village road on a warm day, a dog needs water, and not every stop has a bowl. A portable dog water bottle has a built-in drinking tray: you squeeze, the water fills the tray, and what he doesn't drink goes back into the bottle. It fits in a door pocket or a bag.

4. A Bowl That Folds Flat

For picnics, food stops and longer days out, a collapsible silicone bowl is the easiest solution. It folds flat into a pocket, opens in a second, and rinses clean in any stream or sink. We keep one in the car all the time, just in case "should we go?" turns into a whole day.

5. Honest Notes From the Road

Never leave a dog alone in a parked car, especially on warm or sunny days: a car heats up much faster than most people think, even with the windows slightly open. Moments like Tobby greeting the sheep from the window are for slow country roads; on faster roads, keep the window only partly open and your dog safely harnessed. Take short breaks on long drives so your dog can stretch, drink and sniff around. And if your dog gets nervous or sick in the car, start with short, happy trips to a favorite place and build up slowly.

Some dogs love the destination. Tobby loves the road itself. And every time I hear his tail thumping against the seat, I remember that a good day can start with a very simple question: should we go?