For a lot of dog owners, summer means road trips, lake weekends, and long days outside. But packing for a pet takes planning. Whether you're headed to a cabin on the water or  the family lake house, here's how to pack smart with KONG. 

GETTING THERE: TRAVEL ESSENTIALS FIRST 

Before the fun starts, your dog needs to get to the destination safely. A loose dog in a moving car is a distraction for the driver and a real risk in an accident, so buckling them in is as important as buckling yourself in. 

The KONG Ultimate Safety Tether clips into your existing seatbelt system and keeps your dog anchored in the back seat without restricting them from sitting, standing, or lying down comfortably. If you'd rather give them their own dedicated space, the KONG Ultimate Safety Tether and Seat combines a raised seat with a tether for smaller dogs who like a better view out the window. 

For dogs who ride in the back of an SUV, the KONG Ultimate Cargo Liner w/ Tether protects your interior from muddy paws and wet fur while keeping your dog clipped in. The Travel 2-in-1 Bench Seat Cover & Dog Hammock turns the back seat into an easy-to-clean hammock that also stops them from sliding into the footwell on curvy roads. Truck owners with extended cabs get their own version: the KONG 2-in-1 Bench Seat Cover & Dog Hammock for Trucks.  

ONCE YOU'RE THERE: LAKE DAYS CALL FOR WATER TOYS 

This is where the fun starts. Dogs need toys built specifically for water play: toys that float, are easy to grab with a wet mouth, and are bright enough to spot from land. 

The KONG Aqua is the classic choice for a reason. It's built with a floating foam core inside the familiar KONG shape, wrapped in easy-to-spot orange natural rubber. It also featuresa rope that makes it simple to throw far — and just as simple for your dog to grab on the swim back.  

Another great water option is the KONG Training Dummy. This highly visible foam dummy is a great toss-and-retrieve toy that teaches dogs to use a soft-mouth carry. The Training Dummy floats, so it works just as well off the dock as it does in the yard.. For something with more heft and a longer throw, the Wild Shieldz Trout is a triple-sealed, fish-shaped float toy built for dock diving and big open-water retrieves. 

Not every dog wants a single-purpose toy, and that's fine too. The Reflex Stick and Reflex Tug are made from a bite-defying material that floats and holds up through both water play and rowdy tugging, so they pull double duty between swim breaks. 

DOWNTIME MATTERS TOO 

Swimming is tiring, even for dogs who love it. Between fetch sessions, pack something for quiet time back at the cabin or campsite. A KONG rubber toy stuffed with Easy Treat or a Ziggies Enhanced dental chew is an easy way to keep your dog settled while you make dinner or unpack the car.  

Safe travels, and happy splashing! For more information about the importance of water-specific toys, read our blog post about swim toys:  

Best Swim Toys for Dogs.