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Road Trip Advice?

3K views 32 replies 11 participants last post by  Lindar51 
#1 ·
We live in Maryland. I am (sort of) contemplating a drive to Wyoming with Uhtred in August. My husband is scared of putting him on a plane because of the issues some short nosed dogs have had, and he can't take the time off work to drive out with me, so we are thinking maybe I will drive out with the dog, then he will fly out and we'll all drive back together. It'd be nice for him than having to be boarded for a week.

Is this crazy? Any advice? We'd probably take four days, with a stop at my parents' home in KS mid-way. I think his crate is too big for our car, so he'd have to be in a harness seatbelt or something like that.
 
#2 ·
I don't think thats a bad idea at all! Do you know if your dog gets car sick? Between those two options, flying or driving, I wouldn't even think twice and just drive with the dog. My bf's parents drive to NJ from Colorado with their dog about twice a year and it really isn't as bad as you would think. There are these bungee-like tethers that you can get to hook to the dry cleaning handlebars in your back seat that u can harness the dog to for extra safety. Sounds like a fun trip honestly haha I would love to do something like that with the dog as well!
 
#3 ·
Wyatt loves the car so it wouldn't be an issue for us at all. Actually next Friday when I officially move it will be a 4 hr drive for us. He did 8 hours when he was 3 months old with 1 stop bc he slept the whole way until we stopped for gas.

Not sure how old your baby is, but I would take him for a good long walk/play hard the day before and day of traveling to tire him out a little more. I would personally stop every 3 hours for both of you to stretch your legs (don't want blood clots in legs forming on yourself!), get a drink and go potty for a good 15 minutes of not more. I keep a gallon milk jug filled with water and a bowl in my trunk at all times. Get a toy or chew that they could chew on but not necessarily eat, don't want them get them getting sick. Take some food with and give as treats so they don't get too hungry, although being out of his element he may not eat for a day or two.

It's def better than being in a kennel for a week!
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the advice, guys!
You both sound so positive about it... makes it seem less daunting. :)
Uhtred likes the car pretty well but so far he's only been on short trips. He's 6 months old.
I saw that bungee thing... is it safer than the other options? I wasn't really sure. Right now he has a doggie "seatbelt" that clips into the back of a harness. I'm guessing the bungee thing works with something like that?
 
#5 ·
Driving sounds like an excellent idea. It's what we do. And I honestly wouldn't worry about the crate not fitting in the car. We have biggest crate you can get - one for a Great Dane size, and it fits perfect in our backseat- of a full sized car. Acts as a divider from the front and the back. Harnesses are great to use as well, and as stated before, I would recc taking short breaks every 4-5 hrs so you both can get a walk in and some water/potty. We drive from Arizona to Iowa twice a year, which is 1500 miles one way - and a 24 hr drive. We usually have one long day- 16 hrs and then 1 short day- 6-8 hrs. Our guy is 3 yrs old, but we started when he was 8 mo. He does great, we just make sure we stop at least every 4-5 hrs and exercise really really well and day before and day of - right before leaving. Typically he drinks a lot of water, but will wait until dying of thirst before he drinks in the car. Most airlines will NOT allow boxers or any smushed in face - dogs to fly. If you happen to find one airline, it's extremely expensive and in my mind, not worth the worry. If it's warm at all, they can overheat quickly and die. You also have to worry about them breaking out of the crate and getting lost or someone stealing them off the baggage claim.
 
#6 ·
I havent posted on here in ages.. but just had to respond! We moved to Colorado from Georgia last decemeber.. it was a 25 hour trip and we had both of our males in the back. They were AMAZING!! We usually put them in the truck but as that was packed put their beds on the back seat and they were angels! I actually did a post on it bc they were SO good...i am sure you can find it from my profile. We stopped every few hours for pee and water breaks.. they slept in 2 different hotels with us and were amazing!! I was so surprised. I agree with the plane thing. When we moved from Brazil to the USA they were on 3 flights... it was horrible... i was SO scared i cried the entire time i was not with them. I was SO worried. They were fine though... and i had no other option but to leave them in brazil... that was not an option in our mind.
 
#8 ·
I think we as parents of fur or skin children tend to worry a little more when we are in a situation and can't control it like flying for instance. I would be terrified for Wyatt, what are those people doing to him, are they torturing him, did they drop his crate, what if he's sick or scared.....

In a car you have so much more control. If you think they need a break you can pull over, if they are feeling stressed you can hop in the back seat and comfort them.

I remember the first night I was away from Wyatt and was so worried, face timed my dad and made him show me Wyatt. Felt so bad bc he said all he did was lay in my bed all weekend except when it was time to eat or potty. But he survived....

I guess what I'm saying, is its ok to worry or be scared for our babies. We are all crazy about our babies here and completely understand!
 
#9 ·
I think we as parents of fur or skin children tend to worry a little more when we are in a situation and can't control it like flying for instance. I would be terrified for Wyatt, what are those people doing to him, are they torturing him, did they drop his crate, what if he's sick or scared.....
Totally!! They can live without us, but I prefer to think MINE can't. :)
 
#10 ·
So... one more question...
When you travel with your dogs, what do you do with them when you have to go somewhere where they can't go? Like into a restroom or inside a gas station? Everyone says to never ever leave your dog in your car; I'm guessing you could either have an extra key and leave the car running with the air on or else leave the windows cracked?
 
#12 ·
This is what I'm facing on Friday! Friday is our official move day across the state! 4 hour dr to our new house! I usually stop at the last rest stop on the tp to go potty. I'm lucky enough to have a remote starter on my car so I'm thinking I'll let Wyatt our to stretch and do his business, put him back in the car, lock it and start it with the ac on and go potty really quick. I'll be gone maybe 5 minutes and my car will run for 10. Just hope he doesn't get too scared. If all else fails, I'm peeing in the side of the road!
 
#11 ·
I think your dog would be fine with the windows cracked for the few minutes it would take to pay for gas inside or use restroom. I do it quite often. Sometimes I just don't have a choice. I also bring a clear cup and cold water for my dog to drink. She always let's me know when she wants a drink.
 
#13 ·
I have a car starter so when I'm leaving my dog in the car and it's hot outside I start the car again so she has the air on to keep the car nice and cool. You can also double check where you are going a lot of places actually let you bring you dog in to avoid people leaving them in the car.
 
#15 ·
I think as long as your just going in to use the bathroom cracking the window enough so he can't get out will be fine. Leave a note on the window...Quick pit stop, be right back, otherwise someone might think he has been left. When traveling I've had to do too.
 
#19 ·
We picked up Sampson from West Virginia which is about 5 hours from our home in northern NJ. The rest stops on the turnpike here have grassy areas so we stopped twice since he was just a pup and took turns going inside to use the restroom being that it was the middle of winter. And we got sandwiches before we hit the road.
Safe travels!!
 
#21 ·
So far, on several 2-3 hours drives, Hank is really good. He just curls up in the back seat and pretty much sleeps the whole time. Amazing, since I usually have the car stereo blaring at a very high volume. As soon as I stop, though he is lifting his head seeing what is going on, and then back to sleep.

So far he is also really good leaving him in the car. Never leave him for more than about 30 minutes maximum. If is a bit hotter, I leave the windows open, make sure park in shaded area if can, plus have white roof that reflects the heat. If really hot outside, will not leave him more than 5-10 minutes tops.
 
#22 ·
I know he can hold it, but I know I can't! Ha ha ha, I must have a teeny tiny bladder! I'll just have to watch my fluid intake on Friday. When I get to Harrisburg/Hershey area it's stop and go with a max speed of 10 mph for about 10-15 minutes, which adds that toy already 3.5 hour drive. Hoping they let me out of work early on my last day and I can pack up Wyatt and his food and hit the road!
 
#30 ·
Well I am in Louisiana, I can tell you there is no way you can leave your dog in any car really. I'd crack the window if I absolutely had to make a bathroom stop and then not be more than 5-10 min. but really I would even hesitate at that.
Having that remote to keep the car locked and running is great!
 
#31 ·
A few thoughts popped into my head regarding travel with your dog:

You mentioned that your crate won't fit in your car. If your dog needs to be crated when you leave him alone, do you have a crate waiting at your destination?

If you're going to leave your dog in the car with the engine/ac running, please leave him in his harness in the back seat. You don't want him panicking and shifting the car into drive or reverse.

Please don't leave him in the car with the windows cracked and the ac not running. The temps have already been unseasonably warm, even in many areas further north. True story: Several years ago, I called the police on someone whose dog was in distress in a hot car; the car windows were cracked and the sun roof was open. I had the person paged several times in the grocery store the car was parked in front of before resorting to this, btw. An employee gave the dog water through the sunroof (I had to stop him from breaking the window - lol!), for which the dog was very grateful. The woman and her two children finally came out right before the police arrived, facing an angry crowd of us and squealed out of there practically on two wheels! The greenhouse effect is alive and well inside a car with all of its windows. It's just not worth the risk.
 
#32 ·
We're going to family; my parents, who are retired, and my in-laws, also retired, so he won't be alone even when he gets where he's going. We hardly ever crate him, so I'm confident he'll be fine without a crate.

Thanks for the advice about the car. I do have a spare key; my only worry is that I'll inadvertently lock them all in the car if I get out of the habit of taking the keys out of the ignition when I stop! I've done that before. But I'm sure I can stash enough spare keys around to avoid that.
 
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