long drive w/ dogs - have you done it?? Need advice.

[LeedsDevil]

Trip Advice

Im also taking a road trip to the beach. YEA! We are taking the kids to Sea Rim State Park on the gulf coast Fathers Day. I have a problem though. First, I drive a mitsubishi eclipse and only have room for two kids...no room for the crate. One kid already has to ride with my parents. Would it be ok to buckle her short lead around the kids seatbelt in the back seat??? Also, she gets carsick after 30 minutes in the car. What can I do to avoid this? Puking on the kids in my car would be bad. Any advice is always appreciated!!
Thanks

P.S. Its only about an hour to an hour and a half depending on traffic.

If you want to avoid car sickness the best way to do it is to not feed them for at 4 hours before the trip and since it's only a 1 1/2 hour trip I would also with-hold water about 30 minites before you leave. Take her food and some fresh cool water with you and feed her as soon as you get to your destination.

I would also recomend a doggy car seat belt (available at most pet stores). they are a harness that goes around the chest and attatch to the cars seat belt system. They are made to prevent kneck injuries from ataching a regular collar to a seat belt, and also have the added advantage of preventing movement around the car. they have enough room to sit up, turn around or lay down but can't get into your way or jump on the kids.

Also if you have a few weeks before your trip try doing more frequent short trips around town to places she likes to go (park, grannies, pet store) and make the trip fun and intersting. Also NEVER make a fuss if she does get sick, it could lead to negative reinforcment. Just pull over and clean it up and get right back in and continue your trip.

My Cookie is a car lover. I travel 3 hours roundtrip 4 times a month for a child exchange and Cookie INSISTS on going with me. She goes almost everywhere with me, from doggy bashes to a 2x a day trip into center city to drop off and pick up her daddy from work. The few times I have to leave her home she gives me the guilt trip for hours after I return.


Jennifer & Cookie Monster

 

[Cypress' Mom]

When we moved from Iowa to Virginia Cyper was in the front of the U haul for 11 Hours each day. It was a two day trip and he did great. Not car sick or any thing. Just frequent potty breaks and lots of attention when we got to the new apartment. Your baby will do fine.
Jess and Cyper

 

[cb977]

We've been taking our Rottie, Max, from NY to Florida (18 hrs) every year for the past 11. Sammi's done the trip for the past 3 years. Sometimes we stop in North Carolina overnight, but we have gone straight through with no problems. Pillows, chew toys and Sammi's trusty blankie is all they need. We all get out when we stop to fill the tank, everybody makes a tinkle trip and a short walk to stretch the legs, then it's back in the Durango till the next pitstop. I also bring a gallon of water from home for little drinks on their pitstop, and cookies for the trip. The dogs have always done fine. They (as are we) are very happy when we finally get to Grandma & Grandpa's house and then it's playtime with their 2 dogs! Very happy babies!

 

[totallyhip]

These tips are great. Were leaving Sunday to drive to Calgary. Its gonna be about a 12 hour trip. But were gonna stop lots for potty and walkie breaks. let you know how it goes.

 

[ottopunk]

Thanks so much for all the replies! We are pretty set on taking them w/ us thanks to everyone's input. Now we need to get a barrier for our mini-van to keep them safe (we are going to keep them in the way back of the van).

Anyone have any info on these type of barriers? I am wondering if I could just place something between the bucket seats to keep them from walking up to the front. The love to walk up front and see what's going on. The barrier seems a little safer though in an accident. Any thoughts?

 

[naomi1025]

You'll Be Fine

My 2 boxers are wonderful in the car. We put their bed in the back seat and they pretty much sleep all the way. My parents live about 3 hours from us so we make the drive reguarly and we have never had any problems. Have fun on your vacation!

Naomi Lily and Jax

 

[drw71762]

outragous boxer nut

dear long drive have you done it yes i have with my first boxer he was about 4 months old then we went from glen bernie md to canton ohio foot ball hall of fame it was an expereance to say the least it was a over night trip he loved it stopping at the differnt rest areas seeing i mean smelling whos been there he was a baby then but i no he loved it just make sure u take plenty of water and some of his or her favorit toys and talking to your pet will make him feel a lot better but to tell ya the truth 9 out of ten says it will be just fine

 

[abradbury.5]

Toffee is also fine on car rides--like all the other boxers mentioned She wears a seatbelt and spends most of her time sleeping. Occasionally she'll wake up and look around before going back to sleep. We don't need to stop often, but she's very good about taking a potty break even if she does it only to please me, LOL! She also doesn't have a problem with car sickness, so she's fine to eat on her normal schedule. Make sure you take a couple favorite toys and a water bowl so it's easy to give water.

 

[LoveMyChase]

Don't worry a bit about 2 1/2 hours. I drove 25 hours when I moved to Texas and my 1 yr old boxer did great. I put her dog bed in the backseat and she had a bunch of toys to play with. Mainly slept. Just give them water when you pull over for a potty break. If you're worried about the kids and the dog together, they make a barrier for the back end. that's a good option for when the dog starts to get rowdy. Good luck

 

[RentsOSketch]

LOng Drives

WHen we first got Sketch, he was just 8 weeks old, and we drove all the way from Wisconsin to Oklahoma in one sitting, and it was like a 14 hour drive or some trash. We just made sure we stopped every hour or so to let him stretch out and do his business. He slept the whole way and was the perfect little driver. Now we will take him everywhere and he loves the car ride. We go to Texas every so often to visit SKetch grandparents, and he doesn't mind the four hour drive at all. You'll be fine.