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Time to take all the things you’ve learned so far… on the road!
With Thanksgiving around the corner, routines shift, families travel, and new environments pop up everywhere. For your dog, that can feel exciting, overwhelming, or both.
Here’s how to help your pup stay confident, calm, and connected — no matter where the holiday takes you.

✈️ 1. Build a “Travel Training Kit”

Start with the most important item:
Your dog’s favorite training mat — the same one you use for “place” at home or at Zoom Room.
This becomes their portable happy place, helping them settle anywhere.

Add:
• Long-lasting chew
• Snuffle mat or snuffle towel
• Treat pouch + high-value treats
• Licki mat/Toppl or another quiet enrichment toy
• Collapsible water bowl + poop bags
• A favorite toy
• Harness + leash + name tag

🧠 2. Reinforce the “Settle” Cue Before You Travel

A strong settle helps with:
• Car rides
• Airports
• Busy kitchens
• Family gatherings
• Chaotic living rooms

Practice 3–5 minutes a day:
• Settle on the mat
• Reward calm breathing
• Add mild distractions

A strong settle = a self-calming superpower.

For a step-by-step settle guide:
👉 https://zoomroom.com/featured-special/new-rescue-dog-feel-at-home/

🚙 3. Make Sure Your Dog Is Comfortable With Car Rides

Don’t wait until the morning of Thanksgiving to find out how your dog handles the car.

Start with:
• Calmly getting in and out of the car
• Hanging out together in the parked car for a few minutes
• Short drives around the block
• Gradually increasing duration as your dog relaxes

A little practice prevents stress, nausea, and overexcitement later.

🚗 4. Keep Training Micro-Sized

Travel days are unpredictable. Keep training short and effective.

Try:
• 1–2 minutes of owner-focus cues: watch me, name recognition, touch
• Add variety with find it, heel check-ins, leave it, pattern games
• Short “sit → release → sit” sequences
• 2 minutes of loose-leash work at rest stops
• Sniff breaks for decompression

Bite-sized wins keep your dog mentally tuned-in.

🏡 5. Make Any Room Feel Like Home

Set your dog up for success before giving freedom.

Create:
• Rest Zone: mat/blanket/crate
• Chew Station: calming enrichment
• Training Spot: for quick refreshers

This reduces anxiety and prevents unwanted behaviors.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 6. Prep Friends & Family Ahead of Time

A little communication goes a long way.

Kind requests to share with your host:
• “Please ignore until my dog sits.”
• “No table scraps, even if they’re cute.”
• “Can we set up a quiet decompression corner?”
• “I’ll handle introductions with other pets.”

Set expectations → reduce chaos.

🍗 7. Expect Higher Excitement Levels — And Plan for It

New places = new energy.

Support your dog with:
• Sniff walks
• Licki mats during gatherings
• Calm praise for good choices
• Short breaks in a quiet room
• Their familiar mat always available

Excitement is normal — structure helps balance it.

🚪 8. Take Your Training on the Road!

Dogs don’t generalize well — so traveling is a perfect chance to proof your skills.

Try:
• Practicing waits through different entrances (hotels, relatives’ homes, elevators)
• Seeing if your dog offers check-ins when they spot a new animal or distraction
• Doing mini recalls in a new environment (on leash/long-line)
• Reinforcing calm behavior around all the holiday chaos

New places = new opportunities to grow your dog’s real-world reliability.