Camping Adventures with the Dogs

[Lindsey]

Well, we made it through the weekend and I think everyone had a great time.
On the way to the mountains, our Doodle girl got car sick- 3 or 4 times :-(
I really thought it was because DH had fed her right before we left...Molly got car sick every time she got into a car, when we first got her. We kept hoping she would grow out of it. Finally, one day, while going to the dog park...she didn't get sick. After that, she was fine to hop into the truck and ride around. So when we left for the mountains this past Friday, I didn't even think twice about packing a trash bag, because she had been doing sooo well. About half way there, she started throwing up, yuck!
We made it to the camp ground and while we were there, she had a blast. We hiked, played in the river (Molly beside the river-she HATES water-crazy doodle), we played fetch over and over and over, we rode our bikes (Molly trotting along beside us), and we just hung out around camp. Molly loved showing off all of her tricks. She was so well behaved. She slept in her crate, inside of our tent and not once did she make a peep! We were so proud :-)
We did a lot of off leash walking, and I was very pleased with how well she did. She would only walk a few feet in front of us and if I said "Molly come" she would stop dead in her tracks and come back to me. At one point she was ahead of me, not far, but far enough that she went around a bend in the trail before I did, all of a sudden I heard a dog barking and growling it's head off...I took off at a sprint and just about crashed into Molly...she had her tail tucked and was sprinting BACK towards me...when I got around the bend, I saw the "scary" dog that had barked at Molly- a teeny tiny norfolk terrier- LOL...her owner was also walking with her dog off leash and I guess Molly came up on her dog and scared it...which sent it into a flying, barking ,growling freenzy. Molly is what we call a dog snob, she is not aggressive in the least bit, she just doesn't care about other dogs...she ignores them completely. So when the little dog started barking, it freaked Molly out.
We tried, to no avail, to get Molly to like water...we would throw sticks and her ball out into the water...but she would just stand on the edge of the water and bark/whine. If the item we tossed into the river floated close enough, she would ease her head out above the water, peel back her lips, and use her teeth to gently pick the item up out of the water! Silly dog!!! I'm guessing that is the German Shepherd in her, because from what I've read poodles usually love water.
On the ride back home on Sunday, Molly got sick AGAIN :-( We made a point not to feed her before we left...but this only caused her to throw up really wet (from drinking water) digested dog food, GROSS!!
I don't know what we're going to do about this car sickness. We really wanted a dog that could travel with us, as we travel A LOT. I know there are meds that the vet can give us...but I don't want to sedate her every time we get in the car.
Does anyone else have any experience with dogs and car sickness??
Other than that, we had a great time...it was nice to spend time with my family and hang out with my dad on fathers day.

oh on a side note, while we were there we ran into a lady with two cockapoos...OH MY WORD, they were ADORABLE!!!! I think I've talked my mom into getting one in the near future :-) Yayyy for another doodle!!!!

[Pat and Traveler]

Sorry, no advice about car sickness--never had that problem, thank goodness!  But I wanted to say your camping trip sounds like it was a blast.  Trav likes to wade, but has no intention of getting the rest of himself into water.  Glad you had a good time, aside from the car sickness.  :)

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I just got this newsletter from my Pet Insurance Company (Embrace) and they had this article that I thought I would share with you.  It might be worth looking into for car sickness.

 

June 10, 2011

Summer Time Blues

Summer isn't all it's cracked up to be for some dogs.  Between storms, fireworks, and road trips, a lot of dogs develop anxiety and upset tummies.  Tahlula has been climbing in my lap at the first hint of thunder and lightning.  I'm not alone-over at the Embrace Pet Insurance blog, we're talking about Gastrointestinal issues, caused by illnesses, trash can diving, parasites, and other nastiness.

But, if you're in the Dog Disliking the Days of Summer club, have no fear.  We've got a contest for you!

This month we're offering up a 2 oz bottle of Travel Calm.  Embracer Mike has been using Canine Calm to curb his new Airedale's crate anxiety, and noticed some decreased whining and fussing.  Read another rave review:

“It can't be this easy!? I used Travel Calm to stop my Miniature Long Haired Dachshund from vomiting in the car. I simply sprayed it on her dog seat. It's a miracle. No vomiting!"

[Lynn D.]

Have you tried ginger snaps about 20 min before getting in the car?

[Camilla and Darwin]

Sounds like aside from the car, everything went well. Fun!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Sounds like a fun time, even though Molly gets a little car sick :( 

We are trying to plan a cabin/hiking weekend in August for our anniverary - with the dogs of course. LOL!

[Wendy and Eddie]

One of my doodles hates water too. Before a camping trip last year I walked him over to a little stream in a park near my house. People gave me the strangest looks as I attempted to coax, then lead, then finally toss my dog into the three inch deep water. All to no avail. :-)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sounds like Molly did very well camping, except for the throwing up. I know there have been discussions on that topic, so maybe do a search and see what comes up. I am impressed that she walks off leash and was quiet in the tent. Great job, Molly!