Traveling with doodles

[Holly Doodle]

We are taking Holly on a 14 hour drive from Iowa to Colorado over Thanksgiving. We've found a pet friendly hotel to stay at so we'll only be driving 7 hours each day.The longest car ride she's been on is 1 1/2 hours, but she loves car rides, she usually sleeps or looks out the window the whole time. We are bringing a travel kennel but I think she'll probably just hang out in the back seat of our SUV. I was wondering if anyone has any good advice or products that would be helpful for the trip. Thanks everyone!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We have a Travelin' Doodles Group here on DK. Lots of good suggestions there!
http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/travelindoodles

[Holly Doodle]

Thanks Karen! I'm a member, I just figured if I posted on the forum more people would see it :).

[Yvonne N]

Hi Laci, Brother Astro loves traveling. We are planning another trip to FLA in December. He did fantastic when we last went down in August. We did get a motion sickness pill from our vet. One for each direction. I believe it lasted for around 12 hours. Take the basics and have them in a place that is easy to reach. Bowl, BIG jug of bottled water, paper towel for upset tummy and plastice bags for clean-up.... We didn't feed Astro close to departure time and didn't feed him at all on "travel" days. A little nibble when you stop for the night is all. Favorite toys are a must and a brand new one for Holly to be excited about. We gave Astro icecubes when he looked a little thirsty...water and toy in one. We also traveled with a sound machine to help block out hotel noises. On our ride back from FLA we drove for eleven hours...stopped for lunch/potty break and dinner/potty break....with no compliants for Astro or our six year old. Holly will have a blast. Enjoy!

[Holly Doodle]

Thanks Yvonne, that's a great idea to get the motion sickness pill just in case. And I didn't even think about not feeding her. Good ideas! How was the hotel that you stayed at? I'm kind of worried Holly might forget her potty training being in a strange place, I hope not though! Thanks for the tips!

[Yvonne N]

The hotel was okay but all new noises so few barks but that is why the noise machine came in handy. We actually use it a lot at home. Astro loves the outside cricket sound for sleep. And he was in his crate inside the room. Didn't want to take any chances. Actually he was in his crate in the jeep too. We folded half of the seat down and slid the cage way up so our daughter could pet him and I could reach back from the front passenger side. We now have a cage devider the seperates the back seat from the cargo area...so he has the entire cargo area to himself. Holly will most likely just fall asleep for most of the ride. Post photos.

[Lynn D.]

Hehe! We are spending Thanksgiving in Colorado too!

Please, please make sure anything heavy is WELL secured! In an accident, loose objects become projectiles.

I have made several long distance trips with a dog and a cat. If they go without their kennels, I make a "go" bag for each of them. It contains 2x their requirement of water for 1 leg of the trip, food and treats, poopy bags, leashes, toys and bowls. I usually use lightweight plastic bowls. I normally use the grass at the truck stops for thier potty time and some play time. However, this is also a good place to pick up disease or unwanted critters (fleas).

Oh! And, the heavier (more weight) the SUV is, the more likely it is to roll over. Avoid over loading the SUV.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

Hey Laci! We've taken Timbow to Florida many many times and he does great every time. One thing we have noticed is that he chooses not to eat or drink much and a couple of times has refused to go potty when we stop--he holds it until we get there (8 hours). I agree with Yvonne that water and special toys are important. She will be so happy to be with you guys, I'm sure she'll do great!!! Let us know how it goes! :)

[Kathie and the gang]

I travel to Bend, Oregon from Northern California regularly (8 hours). I always take two gallons of purified water with us in the car. Changing water sources can sometimes cause lose stools. So I never use tap water in hotels /motels/rest stops for the dogs when traveling. Most of the time my dogs are traveling in their crates, but my new car is not large enough for two crates and the back seat up. I think the crates keep them safe when traveling, I usually make two stops in the 8 hours and the dogs are just fine.

[Karen & Lucy]

We take Lucy with us in the motorhome and she does wonderful. Sleeps just about the whole time, also when we are in the car. She could go for at least 4 hrs. without stopping, but we usually try and stop every couple of hrs. at a rest stop just to get her out, stretch, and potty if needed. For us too, LOL LOL. We stayed at a motel with her and their "dog room" was very conviently located right beside an exit door which was great. She only barked a couple of times and loved watching out the window at people coming and going. I don't think you will have any trouble. Enjoy your trip and Happy Thanksgiving.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Do NOT, I repeat do not travel with your doodle in a small compact vehicle with a stick shift. It is impossible. Spud comes right up between the seats, blocks the mirrors, places his head on my shoulders, and lays down with both feet wrapped around the gear shift.
He truly thinks it is cuddle time. No matter what I do, he can reach me.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I noticed that no one mentioned a seat belt! I have a padded harness that hooks onto a fastened seatbelt and keeps the dog secure if we have to stop suddenly. That protects you, too. It's like having a bowling ball hit you in the head if the dog goes flying. By the way, the motion sickness medicine I use that the vet suggested is regular old dramamine. My 35 pound dog gets half a pill. She actually hates the car and sits very still the whole time without ever sleeping. My other dog loves the car and settles right in to look out the window or sleep.

[Holly Doodle]

Thanks everyone for the great info and ideas! It's nice to hear from people who have done it many times, I could see us going on the trip and forgetting all the important stuff and smacking ourselves :). So to summarize I should bring the following:
1. Kennel or some sort of restraint/seat belt
2. Bottled water
3. Bags and rags to clean up messes
4. Dramamine if needed
5. A new exciting toy
6. Treats and food

I'll definitely post pictures, I'm sure it will be a great experience for Holly. Oh, and we got her into doggie daycare the day before we leave, so I think she'll be worn out! Thanks again!