For many pups, a car ride is just about the best thing on earth. A car ride is the gateway to adventures, special treats and visiting with friends. For me, a car ride is on my top 5 list of favorite things to do. As you can see, it can be a valuable job too. In this picture, I am the navigator. We were going to the beach and I seriously knew the way.
Yes, you are right. I should have been buckled into my seatbelt harness in the backseat. I had been while we were driving. We’d made it to the beach (after a few wrong turns and back and forth along the beach road…sheesh…wouldn’t have happened if I had been actually navigating.). Michael let me loose to help select the right parking spot.
All is not rosy though. For this installment in my Public Service Announcement series, I present to you the following warning signs that an invitation to ride in the car may not be all you hope it will be…
Warning Sign #1
Invited into car but garage door doesnt open
Uhm…yeah, sorry to say but I’ve been victimized by this little trick. End result: You will get stuck in the car so human can do stuff in garage without you getting “into trouble” in the house by yourself or in the garage while they are occupied searching for their useless stuff in the big clear boxes on the shelves. Phew, long sentence but you get the point. Ask questions first.
Warning Sign #2
Human doesn't put on their coat, yet its cold outside
This is a subtle sign to be sure. What does it mean? Most likely the car ride will only be to the mail box or, if lucky, the drive through.
Now, there can be benefits to going through the drive through such as a fries or your own ice cream cone from DQ, but it pays to be aware that it could be a dead-end, around the block fake out just to the stupid mailbox. Require trips to be at least 1 mile so you get enough energizing “car time”.
Warning Sign #3
Not allowed to visit the facilities prior to getting in car
This is a biggie and one I just learned about myself. Tough answer: You are going to the vet.
Biggest fun killer out there. A trip to the vet is the worst Fake Out known! Don’t fall for it.
Resist and make them show their hand before you jump in the car. If you can’t persuade them to not go to the vet, bark at everyone and everything you see all the way there, threaten to wet in the backseat - or if those don’t work - make them drag you out of the car and into the vet’s office when you get there. Humans hate it when you make them look mean.
I hope these tips come in handy for you and good luck getting only car rides filled with adventures, treats and visits.
If you have any other tips and suggestions, please share them with us.
