Road Trips?

Question

I'm going later this week on a 6 1/2 hour road trip to visit family. I'm planning to take my 4 month old puppy along with me in her travel kennel. Any tips on traveling with a puppy? TIA.

My husband and mother are also going along so there will be a lot of chattering going on, I'm sure. I just want to ensure she enjoys the trip and doesn't spend it whining.

First time she will be in the car for a lengthy period.

Answer 1

I suggest lots of chewys and dentabones. Toys in the kennel. You could also get one of those harnesses that has a loop so that you could put a seltbelt through it. Other than that you're just going to have to talk to your puppy like you would your best friend.

Answer 2

I am a dog trainer. You need to plan at least 4 potty stops for your pup. Make sure she is used to spending several hours at a time in her travel kennel. Bring along several containers of water from home. Enough for your stay, puppies stomaches don't adjust to differences easily, and changing her water can easily cause diahria, which will not be welcome on your trip. Avoid feeding her right before your trip, or just a light meal. I don't recommend snacks during traveling either, too easy for a young dog to get car sick. A pup that tolerates a short ride with no side effects can easily become a vomiting machine with a full tummy on a long ride. The safest place for her to travel is in her kennel, but make sure she can see her favorite human if at all possible. Potty stops should be about 15 minutes each, giving her time to stretch, play a little, and do what needs done. Lots of praise for pottying, and never, never take her off a leash in a strange place. Make sure her tags are well fastened on and have contact numbers for your home as well as where you are going to be on her collar.

Answer 3

Cool!

Make sure the puppy can see and hear you at all times for reassurance. Can you put the kennel on the passenger seat in
the front?

Does your vet have any mild tranquilizers he can sell for this trip? It would be good to have them handy, but you may not need them.
You should take Puppy to the vet before the trip anyway and make sure you have a copy of any up-to-date health papers you may need. Better to have them, than not.

PLEASE make sure Puppy is wearing a harness (NOT a collar) at all times with your name and 'phone number on it. Yes, even if it has a implanted identity chip.

Try not to feed Puppy close ( 2 hours) to departure time or you'll spend a lot of the trip cleaning up and you'll both be miserable.

Make time for frequent potty breaks on the road. If you have lots of old towels and blankets, keep them handy to put in the travel kennel in case it has little "accidents" on the way. Have LOTS of large ziplock bags handy for "poop disposal" and paper towels!

Keep fresh water handy (might put some Rescue Remedy in the water) and I would stick to bottled water during the entire visit.

Does Puppy have a favorite toy or blanket you can keep in the kennel with it?

If you keep in mind that Puppy will be a little confused and everything will be brand new and noisy, put yourself in his/her place and go from there.

I'm sure you will both have a super good time and this will be the start of lots of happy trips together.

I didn't find out until last year that my 13-year-old cat LOVES to go on our car trips to Canada. She gets into her carrier, meows a few times and falls asleep until we reach our destination 6 hours later. No tranquilizers needed! She is a delightful travel companion and has a ball when we arrive. Wish I'd known that 12 years ago.

Have a great time and hope this helps. Give Puppy a hug for me.

Answer 4

Get a crate big enough for her to stand up and turn around in. Do not use one of those seatbelt things because if you get in an accident, she may get hurt. If she is crated, she has a better chance of not getting hurt AND it may keep her quieter because she won't have as much visual stimulation to excite her.

Bring a treat filled Kong and other toys and safe chewies she can have. Put an old tshirt that smells like you in the crate so that when she curls up to go to sleep, she can curl up with something that smells like you. Bring her food and some water and her bowls. When you stop to let her use the bathroom, let her eat and drink.

I have to flee from hurricanes every year with my two dogs (luckily not yet this year)...I definitely know what to do, lol.

Answer 5

Don't drive the full 6 1/2 hrs non stop...Stop every 2 hrs and let her stretch her legs and go potty...if she is asleep, keep going until she wakes...you and she both need to eat and drink during the trip(unless she gets car sick...then don't feed her 4 hrs before you leave...if you are leaving first thing in the morning, then only feed her the night before)...take some of her chew toys with you!

Answer 6

Bring lots of water for your pup.

Bring toys so it won't get bored.

Is it the first time she's travelling in a car? If it is, maybe she will vomit or do her doggy buisness in her travel kennel, so be prepared for that.

Guess thats about it.

Answer 7

her food and water bowls.
water from home.
Chew toys to play with and relieve boredom.
A favorite blanket from home.
And please be sure to carry in your trunk at least an 5x7 tarp,some rope and at least 2 stakes and a hammer.
Should you have a flat tire or car breaks down on the road it's a fairly sure bet that it won't happen in a shady spot where the pup will be comfortable.having these things with you at all times insures your pup will have shade or protection for you from the rain while car is being fixed.