I'm moving across the country.....I don't know if i should bring my dog with me... i REALLY wanna bring him!!!

Question

Seeing that I've had my dog for 6yrs i really dont wanna give him up! im driving in a van with my brother and sister.....

does anyone know what i could do to keep him occupid for 5 days in a car?? He likes to play but he also likes to sleep and be in the quiet at times

Answer 1

Crate him if you have room... Don't worry about your dog traveling... is not a big problem... get him used to traveling in the car tho...

Of course take your dog with you... he is family.

Good Golly Miss Molly
H.O.T. Dog
Handler Owner Trainer of GSD's
Member U.S.A & A.W.D.F

Answer 2

That dog is family. It's not a pet. What's wrong with you? And animals adjust to any kind of situation. If you are too worried ask the vet. He may give you something to give the dog to keep it calm in the car. My niece comes to visit and its an 8 hour ride. She gives the dog a benadryl and it is fine. It keeps it calm and the stomach calm. The dog is usually sick in the car. But she has no problems. Call the vet and ask. It shouldn't require a visit at all. While on the road stop at rest areas that have a lot of ground so the dog can play and run a little. If the dog will run away and needs a leash then get a really long rope so that it can run around here and there. Make sure you stop where the dog can run a little bit. He will be fine. How could you even think of leaving him behind? Make sure you take a doggie dish and some water for him also. They have travel bowls at the pet store. You can even buy a frisbee and use that. It will limit the amount of water and you can use it later to throw around. I wouldn't leave my dog. No way. Not unless it meant he would die from the trip or something. And if it's a big dog then make a bed in the back of the van for him. Get a luggage rack for the van and put the big stuff up there. If you really love your dog you will do what it takes. Mostly don't leave it in a hot car. That's the worst. If you need to leave it in the car then bring a separate set of keys and lock it in with the air on. I see no problem. Not really. If the animal is worth it then you won't mind at all.

Answer 3

Since you are going to be driving in a van, you can sit in the front seat, while your Brother and Sister are in the back seat. Then, your dog can sit in the middle seat. That way, your dog may sleep in both seats. Also, make sure that your dog has enough water. DO NOT give your dog ANY food. He could get sick. DO NOT give him ANY treats either, like I said, he could get sick. Try to have a pit stop every 2 hours or so. That way, you can, let your dog out to go to the bathroom. Where will you be sleeping at night? At that time, you may feed your dog. Just make sure that the car doesn't move for an hour after feeding your dog. Like I said above, you may give your dog water during the whole ride. The water won't do anything, well, besides rehydrate your dog, OF COURSE! I REALLY do hope that you keep your dog, and thanks, and GOOD LUCK,

~ Future Vet

Answer 4

There's a risk that the change will affect him either way. Stress of the new surroundings could bother him, but he would likely adapt just find since you'd be there with him. On the flip side, at your current home he is in familiar surroundings, but once you move you wouldn't be there. It's a coin toss either way and you'll have to make whatever decision you feel is best for your dog.

Answer 5

you could try to sedate him for the trip, consult your vet prior to leaving, but sedatives might make him loopy and not settle down. We've traveled with our cats across country and they slept for pretty much the entire trip. I'd take your dog, you'd be surprised to find that he travels really well during the trip and sleeps a lot, you'll have rest areas you can let him relieve himself at and allow him to stretch his legs. Another alternative is to fly him to your location but he'll reach it before you do and you'd need to arrange to have him picked up on the other end if you're not there. As long as you have the room then there should be no reason you couldn't take him. There are a lot of pet friendly hotels that will allow you to have the dog in the room for a small fee. Research pet friendly hotels along your route so you are well prepared and not frantically searching for a pet friendly hotel.

I've had my dog for only two years and there's no way I'd ever leave her behind. I've traveled with her to Florida even though it's only an 11 hour drive she slept for most of the trip went to the bathroom whenever we stopped and was really good during the entire ride. Make sure you bring a water bowl so he can get a drink during his car ride.

Good luck, take your dog with you, you'll be glad you did.

Answer 6

Bring your dog with you! Now in the car give him a bone with chicken/meat in the middle(if he likes bones) it can keep him occupied for a week, probably more. Also give him chews and toys and (food and water) make sure he has a dog bed or pillow to sleep on(if he likes sleeping on them) make sure you have pee pads incase of an accident in the car. Keep him in the back so he doesnt run out if you open a door. Bring his crate(If he has one) to sleep in at night. Pack his leash and after a while take him out to go to the bathroom, and them play with him outside for a while then get back in the car. Have a safe trip! BRING YOUR DOG!

Answer 7

If you've had him for six years, it will be very hard for BOTH of you to get over seperating from each other. He's your friend and you are his so take him with you. You'll just have to stop a few more times than planned on your trip, to let him pee and feed him. Bring some chew toys, some that taste good, maybe a bone that he can occupy himself with when he gets bored, he will probably sleep most of the time. PLEASE DON'T LEAVE HIM BEHIND. And even if it the trip will be a little stressfull for all of you I am sure that you will ALL be glad afterwards that you DID take him with you. You will break his little doggy heart if you leave him behind.

Answer 8

I travel with my dogs all the time. They love the car because it means we may be going somewhere fun. If your dog is not used to going places, start now and take him to parks or petstores (and give him treats)....so that he associates the van with good things.

My dogs have been great in the car. Mine have been traveling since they were wee pups. When I got my one of my current dogs she was 3 months old and just slept on the way home.

I just got home from a 6 hour car ride last weekend and my dog slept most of the way. I do provide large, thick rawhides and other chewies that are't small enough to be choking hazards and are tough enough to last awhile.

I do try to exercise the dog before getting them into a car for a long trip.

My dogs don't require lots of stops. When I need to go, I give them a chance to go as well on leash.

If your dog is super nervous you can ask your vet about a mild tranquilizer.

My travel checklist:

Current ID tag with my cel phone number on it and a 2nd tag with destination address on it. I pay extra for tags that have an 800 number so that if it's called the service will call up to 5 numbers to try to reach you or your vet or whoever you designate.

Microchip- registered with current info. and cel number

Extra leash

Towels and paper towels in case of any cleanup needed

Supplies for hot or cold temps for myself and the dog

Triple A card in case of a flat or dead battery :)

UTD on shots and flea meds and bring a copy of your vet records and licensing and a clear picture of your dog ( just in case he gets loose and you need to make flyers).

Water from home or bottled water.

Extra food

A collar that the dog CANNOT back out of, I use a martingale or a choke chain, well fitted as well as a tag collar.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Usually on long trips dogs settle down quite well and look forward to seeing and smelling new things. No matter how well trained he is, keep him on leash and be careful when getting in or out of the van. A moment of panic could lose your dog. Mine are trained to wait for the leash or a command to leave the vehicle.

If your dog is car sick, don't feed the morning of the traveling. Feed at night when you stop. If you are staying in Motels try to plan ahead and find out which ones allow dogs, mine sleep in the room with me in a soft crate that folds up when we leave. I use a Noz2Noz crate in my motel room, but my dogs are crate trained.

Have a great trip and of course bring your dog. Obedience training will help with traveling as well.

Answer 9

All you have to do is make frequent stops at rest stops along most highways. Make sure he has something to eat at all times. It is absolutely necessary that the dog has allot of ventilation, but also a place where air is not blowing at him. Although the dive and the new house will terrify the dog and stress him out it will still be less stressful to loose his pack leader of six years. Dogs get attached to their owners and it is best that you take the dog with you.

Answer 10

Defiantly bring him however make sure you stop plenty of times for excises on the way!
this is what we did for our dog when we were in the car......(our dog was somewhat small however)

* the whole back seat of the van was his, with blankets across the bench seat.
* we stopped lots for her to get out and exercise and stuff

I say if you are moving across the country and staying their for along time take the dog but if you are just going on vacation have someone take care of your dog.

Answer 11

Get a dog crate for him and put him in that with a blanket or towel with a toy. When you go to rest stops take him out. If he isn't use to a crate or a car get some Rescue Remedy from a health food store. You put that in his food or water or right into his mouth. This will take the edge off and he will be calmer or ask your vet if they can recommend something. You'll need to go to your vet's anyway to get his shot record and health certificate. I hope you're able to take him with you, if not it will be hard for both of you. Hope it all works out. Best of luck;~)