5 quick tips for bringing the family dog on the holiday road trip

July 01, 2015 · 3 min read

Many of us consider our dogs to be part of our families. In fact, according to an American Pet Products Association survey, over one third of pet owners regularly bring their pets on overnight trips. If you’re among those who travel with your dog, or are thinking of bringing your dog with you when you hit the road this holiday, we’ve got 5 quick tips for bringing the family dog on the holiday road trip. 1) Make sure your dog’s tags are properly attached. Taking your dog on the road unfortunately means there will be more opportunities to get lost (rest stops, unfamiliar neighborhoods, etc). Be sure to include your cell phone number somewhere on those tags. It won’t do much good for someone to call back to your house if you’re just across the parking lot from them. 2) Make frequent potty breaks. No matter how well adapted your dog is to your vehicle, the ASPCA recommends giving your dog ample opportunity to not only eliminate, but also to stretch out and move around. As a side note, some dogs only feel comfortable “going” at home. You may want to make a few practice trips to get your dog acclimated. 3) Ask your vet about preventative flea/tick treatments. Since there is no way of knowing what the environment will be like at each and every stop along the trip, there is no reason to risk your dog picking up fleas, ticks, or anything else. 4) Prep the seat. If your dog is not traveling in a carrier, you will need to make sure their seat is ready for travel.

Some dogs will sit still and can be fastened into a doggie seat belt, others prefer to move around a bit. If your dog won’t be fastened in, make sure they won’t have the opportunity to step on (or fall over) any luggage.
Also, you’ll want to make sure to bring a chew toy for them and keep anything else chewable out of their reach.
Finally, you’ll want to lay down a potty pad in your dog’s seat. Even if your dog is perfectly house broken, the unfamiliar territory of a moving vehicle could trigger an accident.

5) If you’re staying at a hotel, make sure they accept pets when making your reservation. Some hotels have a charge for pets, but a small fee up front beats not being able to get the room you reserved. Bonus tip: If you don’t know if your dog is a good travel companion, take a few test drives in the weeks leading up to your trip. This will help your dog get acclimated to riding with you, and can also let you know if boarding might be a better idea.

Jan 30, 2018

Baton Rouge Volkswagen Atlas Dealer: What’s New in 2018?

The Volkswagen Atlas had one of the most anticipated debuts of last year. This is VW’s newest SUV model and its first three of the three-row variety. So what can we expect now that 2018 has arrived and the new Atlas is on the road? more The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas plenty of space. Seven seats are standard, with a second-row bench, and a two-place third row. However later this year, for an additional $625, you’ll have the option to have 2 captain’s chairs in the middle row. With 21 cubic feet of space, there is also plenty of room for cargo. The Atlas also features a 3.6 liter, narrow-angle V6. This engine provides 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft. of torque. This larger engine gets 19 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. Later this year a smaller, 2.0 liter, turbocharged option will be available as well. The top trim package for the new Atlas has some luxurious features, including: Adaptive cruise control 360-degree camera system Remote start 3 zone climate control Fender-branded audio system 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Play Visit the experts at Southpoint Volkswagen in Baton Rouge and test drive the all-new Atlas.

Jan 25, 2018

Baton Rouge VW Beetle Dealer: What’s New for 2018?

Every year the calendar returns with things we’ve enjoyed from the past, just with a new twist. Whether it’s the sequel to a movie, the new season of your favorite show, or your favorite annual event; it will be familiar, yet new, and likely improved. The 2018 VW Beetle i s the same way. This iconic car from Volkswagen is a favorite and never fails to reinvent and refresh itself every year. So what exactly is new for the Beetle in 2018? more New Engine This year’s Beetle features a new 2.0 liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection TSI® engine, providing even more horsepower, up to 174hp. Volkswagen’s automatic Tiptronic® transmission also comes standard. Trim Line Updates Beetle S: The VW Beetle S offers the option of the new Style and Comfort Package, which includes: 6.3” Composition Media touchscreen infotainment display, keyless access and push-button start, heated seats, and more. Beetle SE: This year the Beetle SE has some added standard features, such as Climatronic® dual-zone automatic climate control, exterior chrome trim, panoramic sunroof, and blind spot monitoring. Beetle Coast: This brand new model is stylistically inspired by the ocean. Based on the S, the Beetle Coast comes standard with a surfboard wood-look dash pad and has an exclusive new color option, Deep Sea Teal. The Coast also features scuff plates, blind spot monitoring, a sunroof, and Rear Traffic Alert. Beetle Dune: The Beetle Dune is the heritage-inspired icon that has some new additions. Bi-Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, Climatronic dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and more. Volkswagen’s People First Warranty This is a new six-year, or 72,000 miles, bumper-to-bumper warranty that can be transferred to subsequent owners. So whether you’re considering a VW Beetle for the first time, or looking to upgrade to the newest model, the experts at Southpoint Volkswagen are ready to answer questions and get you on the road.

Dec 18, 2017

Increased Fuel Efficiency: Get Your Volkswagen around Baton Rouge with Less Gas

Stopping for fuel is one of the necessary evils driving. It can be a hassle, especially when you’re traveling. You have to find an exit with a gas station, navigate your way off of the interstate, through service roads, and negotiate crowded pumps in foreign places. Then after the pain in the neck to get there comes the pain in the wallet. Wouldn’t it be great if your gas station visits were few and far between? Well with Volkswagen’s line of fuel-efficient vehicles and few driving tips you can avoid the gas pump for quite a while. more VW’s most efficient model is the Jetta, specifically the 2017 5-speed. This car boasts a 40 mpg rating on the highway, and 33 mpg combined. The Volkswagen Golf also offers a combined rating of 29 mpg, 36 mpg on the highway. Here’s a closer look at the combined fuel efficiency of VW’s other models: Beetle: 28 mpg CC: 25 mpg GTI: 28 mpg Passat: 27 mpg Tiguan: 22 mpg Now that we’ve seen the benefits that VW offers from a fuel efficiency standpoint, what are some other ways you can enhance the life of your gas tank? Properly inflate tires: When your tires are underinflated it can hurt your fuel economy. It also compromises your handling and braking which can also shorten the life of your tires. Drive with a warm engine: When your engine is warm it works much more efficiently. Use cruise control: Cruise control helps your engine maintain a steady, efficient pace. Make smooth starts and stops: Fast acceleration and hard braking all take their toll on your gas mileage. These actions make your engine work harder, thus using more fuel. So whether you are making a long trip this holiday season, or looking to pass the gas station more often, these tips can help, and driving an efficient vehicle like a Volkswagen makes it even easier. The experts at Southpoint Volkswagen are ready to answer questions and get you on the road.

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