Need advice for road trip with dogs

[exk23]

We are planning to drive to Michigan during the Christmas week with the dogs. The drive is about 12 hours only stopping twice to get gas and do some bathroom runs. This will be the first long trip for the dogs. My problem is that Lily does not like to sit when the car is moving so is there any advice on what we can do so that she won't be standing all the way. We do plan to make many stops for them to stretch and do their business. When we go for an hour drive trip she stands the whole way to look out the back window. Thank you for your info.

E

 

[oz4lines]

Do you have room for their crates in the car?
They can also be handy at the final destination area.

Jill

 

[exk23]

Yes we do have room but she has room to stand up in her crate so I don't think that would help. We are considering to bring one because they don't like to be in the crate. I don't think she likes that feeling of a moving floor.

E

 

[Thomas Liggin]

Get a couple of doggie seatbelts. they have a wide sternum band which runs along their chest. There is one strap that goes around the neck like a collar and another that goes behind the legs around their back.

Most have a ring or a loop for passing a seat belt through. This will prevent them from flying around in sudden stops or, God forbid an accident.

I suspect that Lily will eventually get tired of standing and lie down. But, if she insists on standing, the seat belt will protect her, and keep her from wandering. It will also give you peace of mind knowing she can't get thrown against something or someone.

We are fortunate with Indy. As soon as the vehicle is moving, he usually lies down and sleeps. When you slow down or stop, he gets up and looks around.


Regards, Tom

 

[apoor]

dog seatbelt

I agree about the seatbelt - it is great to not have to worry about them wandering throughout the car and whether they are in a safe position. I use it especially if driving by myself.

Cody gets a little annoyed by the seatbelt when he's trying to change positions, but he just lets out that little boxer pout/sigh and goes back to sleep.

 

[Wendy Swalls]

We took Mickey back home for Thanksgiving, a 12 hour drive. He wanted to sit in my lap much of the time and I allowed that as long as I could stand it and he'd sit still. But we had a blanket spread out on the backseat and we put some toys back there and had a couple of treats to give when he got restless. He actually did real well. We took his crate just for when we had to leave him at the mother-in-law's house.

Good luck. It's kind of like taking a baby, only not quite as messy!

 

[newark]

We drive a VW Golf, which is like a four door hatch back. Both our back seats fold down, allowing access to the 'trunk' area.
When we take Jersey for a drive that's longer than an hour, we fold down both seats, put her pillow (dog bed) and some chew toys in the trunk area. She has lots of space to move around, can still see out the windows on the side and back, and a comfy place that smells familiar to lie down. We've had the best luck with this, when she has more room she tends to move around less. Go figure!

 

[MarleysMom]

Drugs!!

How bout doggie dramamine (sp?)? It will calm them, make them groggy and possibly make them lie down and sleep the whole way