Travelling with my Doddle

[Jackie Haines]

Good morning! I have a question and need help/guidance... We are planning a trip and taking Sophie. What do I need to pack for her? How often do we need to stop for potty break? As we have only had her for 10 mos, the furthest we have travelled is 2 hrs... Now we are going 12 hrs! Thanks in advance

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I would try to follow her normal feeding and potty schedule.  You'll probably need to pack food and treats.  You can pack water bottles but bring her dish.  Of course you'll need your leashes and my guys like to lay on blankets in the back seat if we're on a longer road trip.

[Jackie Haines]

Do you harness them in? We just bought a harness for her, the kind where the seat belt slides through the top, but she chewed half way through the seat belt! Wondering if I should get the "clip"? Or do I just put her in her kennel? Last time I had her in her kennel, she worried herself and she was a wreck by the time I got home. She had vomited and was panting so hard....  :(   I felt awful for her....

[Jennifer & Truffle]

When we travel w/ Truffle, he wears his easy walk harness and we attach his leash. I then wrap the leash around one of the headrests in the back seat - not too tight, but just loose enough for him to be able to sit or lie down. The system seems to work pretty well. W/ the easy walk harness the leash attaches in the front (on his chest) so I don't need to worry about him choking while we're driving!

[Adina P]

If a harness and clip isn't crash tested or strong enough for an accident then it doesn't much matter what it is, it merely holds them steady and in one place during driving, but wouldn't be seat belt strong.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

I have one of those back seat pet hammocks so it's easier for them to lay down and get comfy in, I also throw blankets in there for the I do harness them in as well but leave it loose enough so they can lay down in their hammock.

[Amy and Annabelle]

I prefer a kennel for traveling. My trainer told us that in the case of a car accident, in a lot of places the rescue squads will shoot your dog if they feel it is a threat to them while they are taking care of the humans. Annabelle seems to do better in her kennel for longer trips anyway. It has always been her safe place. But for a dog that doesn't like their kennel, that would be a problem.

[Minda and Callie]

I took Callie with me for a 22 hour car trip to Phoenix. I bought the Kurgo Auto Zip Line -Leash/Zip Line Combo to secure her. She could still move around but was safe in the car until I unleashed her. I also got her car sickness meds from the vet. I would get her out every time I stopped and walk her for a few minutes. She did great!

[Jackie Haines]

Wondering about the car sickness meds? Didn't know you could get those... I have wondered if she gets car sick. Have a static strip to put on the vehicle.. Worked wonders when the kids were little... LOL

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If you have taken two hour trips and she hasn't gotten car sick, she probably won't have any problems.

[Adina P]

I only pack food, food dish, and a water dish, dog bed and leash, poop bags.  Maybe a few towels of different sizes, paper towels, just in case.

You will probably need stop more for you than the doodle, I think.  But play it by ear.  Every time you stop to eat or go potty yourself and then if it's more than 3-4 hours between, stop again.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

I take a copy of my girls medical records with me (rabies, bortadella, etc).  We also try to walk our dogs anywhere BUT a rest area, they never get picked up and I am not sure if I or my girls are more grossed out by it.  We frequently ask at a gas station if they mind and we would be sure to pick up.  I must say though that most of our long trips are 9-10 hours and we usually can not get the girls to go potty until we hit our destination...too strange a place for them while traveling.

[Jackie Haines]

Yes, I have her