dog and vacation!?

Question

Okay so my husband and I are going on a trip this weekend. we are leaving friday and coming back sunday night. The trip will be a 3 hour car ride.

We are taking our dog.

We adopted him from a kill shelter, so we figured boarding him would make him stress out. (even when he is held at the vet before checkups he freaks out).

Anyway, my question is, is there anything out of the ordinary that I need to bring or be prepared for .

besides the normal things.

also is there anything i can do to keep him calm during this time. This will be longest time he has been in a car, besides when we got him and he slept them (mainly because they gave him shots!!!)

thnks!

Okay to the first poster you sounded a little rude.
My dog isvery well trained, he just gets a little excited in the car. (ie sit lay sit lay sit lay...)

i meant that he was rud eby impying my dog is not trained and spoiled!

Answer 1

well first, def make plans to stop at least twice so the dog can get out, go potty and walk around a little bit. a three hour ride is a stressful and long thing for a dog who has no idea when its going to end and where and why hes going. bring a blanket from home so it has a familiar smell on it that will make him comfortable. also bring him a toy to keep occupied. Bring water and a few treats so he doesn’t get hungray or thirsty. They make (and sell at Petco) calming pills for dogs, just so they don’t flip. we used to have to use them on my Shepard when she got older because we were afraid she would give herself a heart attack at the vet haha. give him just one and it will make a big difference, it doesn’t drug them or anything, it just takes away some of their anxiety. either way you should be proud that your taking him and not throwing him in a kennel because it sounds like he has separation anxiety issues, you’re a good owner! good luck. I don’t crate my dog in the car because I think it creates unneeded stress, as long as your dog doesn’t run around and will sit and behave in the ride as to not endanger you and him then I wouldn’t crate him.

Answer 2

We've taken dogs on long rides before. The first thing that I would say is - make sure you bring paper towels and accessories for cleaning, and a large blanket to cover your seats. The biggest problem we've had is dogs vomiting in the car.

Second, if it is a small dog, consider a carrier lined with a towel. It will be safer and more comfortable. You may want to take a daily short trip with the dog to get it ready for the 3 hours. 3 hours is a long time for a dog in a car. If it is a large dog. Then try letting him know that he needs to stay in the back seat. You will probably have to do the daily rides with both of you so one can deal with the dog. It will also give you a good idea if he will get car sick immediately, or not.

We transport rescues regularly. Some do well, others don't We often have one of the children ride in the back with the dog to keep it calm. One of you may have to do some of the drive in the back seat.

Good luck and have a great time.

Answer 3

OK I travel back & forth to the States from Canada every couple weeks....This weekend I am bring one of my dogs that is not use to car rides so what I have been doing is taking her out each day for about a half hour drive and trying to make it fun EX. drive to the park let the dog run for 10 mins or so then ride back home do this 2 or 3 times a day until the weekend you will notice the tention levels on the dog go down each day.

~also give the dog a treat upon going in the car & the same coming out.
~keep the window open where the dog is sitting at least half way, if you are worried about the dog jumping keep the leash on & in your hand
~make sure the dog has access to water along the way
~Do not feed the dog before you go wait til you get there it can cause upset stomach

PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THE DOG ANY DRUGS it is NOT NEEDED EVER!!!!

Answer 4

If there's room in the car for a crate, that's the safest and most reassuring way to transport a dog. Kinda forces him to keep still, and he's more likely to relax and probably just sleep. He also won't be as affected by the movement of the car, especially when you have to slow down, speed up, or navigate a curve. Put his blanket and a chewie or two in there with him ... I'd use a Kong toy stuffed with something that'll take awhile for him to get out.

I'd keep some extra paper towels on hand, though, just in case he gets carsick. And, since the ride is only 3 hours, I'd probably not feed him beforehand (I learned the hard way!) ... maybe just a snack if you stop along the way, and some water, but wait till you reach your destination to give him a full meal.

Enjoy your vacation!

WHOA ... almost forgot! Make sure you take a copy of your dog's vaccination record, just in case you'd need to see a vet while you're away from home, or you have to show proof of immunization to get a hotel room (or whatever!)

Answer 5

Most important, do not feed your pet prior to car rides. Many dogs will throw up on longer car rides. You may want to bring some dramamine, you probably won't need it, but just in case. Call your vet prior to get dosage for dramamine.There is also a product called natures remedy that many ppl use for dogs during thunderstorms & fireworks. It helps to calm them. I would also be sure your dog is use to car rides other than to the vet. Many dogs associate the car with vet or groomers. Bring plenty of cleaning products, just in case. My dog was confused in the car & he decided to just potty because he didn't know how to tell me hew had to go LOL. Big mess!
If your dog is the nervous type you can get a mild tranq from vet or you could ask a vet for a local pet sitter name. I own a pet hotel (not a kennel) & one of my services provide in home care. Check to see if there is anyone near you that does this.

Answer 6

I would definitely try to secure the dog in some way if I were you. It would be safer for both of you. I know with my dogs they are all over the place when we take them to the park or the vet. It can be very distracting. Also, if you were to get into an accident (not that I want any harm to happen to you) the dog would be much safer in a crate or harness.

You should definitely bring lots of toys and treats for him. I would also bring some towels or wipes as well in case there is an accident--puking or pooping and some plastic grocery bags to put the dirty towels in.

Make sure you walk him whenever you stop for gas or snacks and he should be fine.

Have a fun trip and take lots of pics of your pooch on vacation.

Answer 7

I think he would be more "secure" feeling in a crate, plus there's the safety issue. I never let a dog ride loose in my vehicles...too much can happen.

As for what to take:
Water from home--sometimes different water sources can upset their tummy
Food & food bowl & water bowl or bucket
Collar & leash w/ rabies tag and certificate
Favorite toy and something to chew
Blanket for crate (if that is what the dog is used to)
Paper towels (in case of car sickness) & cleaner
Poop bags (remember to clean up after him :-0)

Don't be alarmed if he doesn't eat normally while travelling....
Book motels ahead of time if possible, to find out which ones are pet friendly and if they have a pet fee. I'm not familiar with what chains are in your area...

Talk to your vet about giving him a dose of dramamine to prevent sickness and to help calm...
I think he will be fine as long as you take him in a crate...

Answer 8

My suggestion is don't feed him until you get to your destination . I might give adog biscuit in the morning but I have found on long trips my dog gets so excited ( acts like yours) and if I feed her before hand I can expect a mess.
I do strongly suggest crating him. My sister was in a car accident with her dog and if she wasn't in a crate she probably wouldn't be alive today. If you don't crate i would at least attach teh lead to a seatbelt this would help if he would decide to bault for some reason.
well that's all I can think of and have a nice vacation.

Answer 9

I use crates when I transport my dogs. They keep the dog safe from roaming about the car and I never have to worry that if I open a door, a dog will go running out. If a dog is crate trained, a crate will make the dog probably feel more comfortable on a ride in general.

Answer 10

I'd first feed and water him, then take him for a good long walk before you jump in the car. He might get a little carsick on the smaller streets, where there is a lot of stopping and starting, but once you get on the freeway he should do better.

You can use lavender oil safely on a dog, and it has calming properties. Put a few drops in your hand, rub your palms together and then stroke your dog. (Obviously avoid sensitive areas like eyes, nose, mouth)