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  1. #1
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    Cross-Country Car Trip

    Next summer, I have to figure out what to with Boomer for three weeks while I visit family in another province. My usual dog sitter won't be able to look after him. I've talked to friends with dogs and checked online reviews but all the local kennels have mixed comments. There are two likely prospects but the few negative reviews make serious allegations.

    The last time he was in big dog doggy daycare, he came back hyper & almost frantic, so their kennel option's out. I suspect they left him in one of the kennels all day. Whenever he's been at the vet's, he's been a big barker & I've been called to pick him up as soon as he recovers from anaesthesia - even when the vet says they're used to barking & want to keep him overnight. He's a hyper anxious dog with a daily routine that keeps him pretty chill. He's velcro & needs to be with people. When he was at the SPCA, he didn't do well & a staff member took him home to foster.

    Taking him means a week's drive each way. Car camping or dog-friendly hotels (trial weekend runs needed). He'd have doggy daycare there & have to stay in the garage overnight (loose with company, crate when alone). I think he'd be okay as long as he knows we're in the house plus we'd walk him in the evening & morning, hang out with him frequently. Not sure if he'd be allowed in the house itself. Possible but too early to ask.

    Has anyone taken a cross-country car trip with their dog? Or kennelled their dog for three weeks or more? If so, any tips or suggestions?

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    I drove across the country from California to Maryland for the Potomac Specialty (truly coast to coast) with 4 dogs in 3.5 days. We drove about 10-11 hours a day, had our route marked out for hotels, gas and breaks etc...

    Of course the dogs were used to traveling, so that meant they weren't stressed, (so no whining, drooling, vomiting), they pottied on lead, were used to hotel rooms, Soft Crates, being fed in different places etc... We also made accommodations for them in their crates, while I usually don't put water buckets in car crates, we did to keep them well hydrated, and bedding in their crates, and toys like stuffies and Zogoflex to play with and chew. We got them out to stretch their legs and potty around every 3-4 hours minimum, on Flexi leads (that they were trained to, I usually hate them), and the rare fenced in dog park to really let them run, especially when it snowed on the way back, they loved that. They also got special treats like hard boiled eggs from the breakfast bar at the some of the hotels.

    Bring bottled water, poop bags, any medications they use regularly, flea and tick meds, Benadryl for bees stings or spider bites, something for digestive upset, ear stuff if your dog is prone to icky ears, vet wrap and saline eye drops, think of anything they might need for a First Aid Kit for dogs. I have a tupperware container I travel with, that has everything I need to care for them, anything more serious and I look for a local veterinarian. Bring vaccine records, especially a Rabies certificate, and a collar with your cell number and an alternate phone number on a tag in case he gets away from you while you are traveling. Stainless steel dog bowl and water bucket, food treats, snacks. I always have extra leads and collars in the car too.

  3. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Shelley For This Useful Post:

    Java (09-03-2017), Mollysmomma (09-04-2017)

  4. #3
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    Thank you so much for such a detailed list! I've decided against kennelling. Boomer loves the car so that's a good place to start. He potties on lead & is crate-trained. Will have to get a soft crate & start using it. I've got long leads but can see how a flexi-lead would be useful while travelling. I could train him on one. Nice to have time to put everything together.

  5. #4
    Senior Dog SamsonsMom's Avatar
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    Good to hear he likes car rides! I would definitely take him with you! :-) Asher was 4 months on his first long (14 hour) car ride. I was worried sick over it. We go to Outer Banks twice a year. Samson is a pro and loves the back of the Explorer. I crated Asher and was concerned for no reason. The little guy would pop up occasionally to look at me and then plop right back down. Literally did not bark once, not even at the toll booth folks. Like Shelley, I pack a backpack for the boys. Has all their medical records, first aid kit, treats, remedies for anything that could pop up, benadryl..etc. You will have to post pictures of your trek! Good luck

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    Java (09-04-2017)

  7. #5
    Senior Dog
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    If Boomer likes the car, there shouldn't be any problems. Kimber took her first long car trip (8 hours) at 10 months. We stopped at a rest area and found an out-of-the-way corner to play fetch with her for a little bit, but really, she was fine just sleeping. Plan for a good walk/run session when you stop at night, and Boomer will most likely just chillax during the ride.
    Stormageddon, Princess of Darkness, aka "Stormy"
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    Java (09-04-2017)

  9. #6
    Senior Dog MightyThor's Avatar
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    We've driven across the country with Thor and Shelly's list is perfect! He's been a regular long car drive traveler since he was a puppy so it wasn't a leap to go from a 6 hour day to several 10-12 hour days in a row. As long as he's happy in the car you can work on the other elements (flexi line, eating in strange locations, soft crate, etc) with the time you have.
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  11. #7
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Java View Post
    Thank you so much for such a detailed list! I've decided against kennelling. Boomer loves the car so that's a good place to start. He potties on lead & is crate-trained. Will have to get a soft crate & start using it. I've got long leads but can see how a flexi-lead would be useful while travelling. I could train him on one. Nice to have time to put everything together.
    You are quite welcome!
    I thought of one more thing, if he isn't microchipped, get him chipped before you leave, and if he is, great! Always carry the chip number with you, it can verify ownership if he is turned into animal control, or someone is cautious to give him back to you without proof that he is yours.

    Can you tell I am super OCD when traveling with my dogs? :-)

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to Shelley For This Useful Post:

    Java (09-04-2017)

  13. #8
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    Thanks everyone! Very reassuring. Boomer's crazy about car rides. He's used to wearing a safety harness & being belted in. He still has freedom of movement to sit beside whichever window he wants to look out of. I was so worried about kenneling. No dogs at the other end but I think Boomer will make it into the house. Maybe not on the new hardwood floors though.

  14. #9
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shelley View Post
    Can you tell I am super OCD when traveling with my dogs? :-)
    That's perfect because I think I will be too.

  15. #10
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SamsonsMom View Post
    You will have to post pictures of your trek! Good luck
    Thanks! We might make Boomer an Instagram account just for the trip. Mostly for our amusement and anyone else here who might want a peek.

  16. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Java For This Useful Post:

    SamsonsMom (09-04-2017), Tanya (09-05-2017)

 



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