Taking Our First Trip

[Julie & Cooper]

Today we head out on our first overnight trip to a cabin in the mountains with Cooper.  I am taking his crate and need suggestions on what type of "seatbelt" to purchase.  I live in a really small town and we only have a Petsmart here. They have a harness for $29.99 that looks really reasonable.  However, Cooper is only 4 months old and will continue growing.  I need to size him for the harness.  He is a standard doodle that is estimated to weigh 60-65 lbs at adulthood.  What size harness should I get for him?  Medium? Large? Any other suggestions for traveling with doodles? I love doodleKisses and have learned not to make a move on doodle supplies or activities without asking. Thanks for all the help.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I hope you have a great trip....sounds like lots of fun! I got my car harnesses at Petco, and they went by size (weight). There was a range, but I'm not sure it's broad enough for Cooper right now and when he's full grown. My guys travel really well now as long as I'm in the back seat with them. They snuggle up and pretty much nap through most trips. Have fun and be safe.

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

Malu is almost 5 months, we have the American Standard (I think that is what it's called??) harness from PetSmart. It was 29.99. Probably same you are looking at. You will probably have to get the small or medium, and if you get the medium, you will have to tighten it all the way. I have the small, I had to tighten all the way when he was 8 weeks, it still fits him now, but he will definitely need to go a size bigger in a few months. (He is standard size maybe 50 lbs full grown). However, most of the time now he rides loose in the car, but we used it a lot when he was a wee tiny baby. But I like it for long trips.

I think if you get medium now, you may have to upgrade to large later. But the large likely won't fit him right now. If he is anything like Malu, and there is any room to wiggle, he will be out of it in less than 5 minutes. I had to really make sure ALL the slack was out of it!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

We bought ours from Petsmart. I'm pretty sure it's called American Tourister, and it works great. We got Darwin a large four months ago or so, and have continuously adjusted it up. All of the straps are adjustable, and they let us try it on him in the store, so we knew which one would fit him. here is a picture of him in it.

I think my best tip for traveling is to put them in a seat belt/harness. Darwin got carsick, until we got him the harness. It encouraged him to stay in a sitting or laying down position, rather than standing up and bouncing around in the car. It has helped immensely. Make sure that you have a flea/tick preventative if you are going into the mountains, and if it is going to be hot, bring lots of water and make sure your air conditioning is high on the way.

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

Oh yeah, American Tourister. That is what I have.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Does that one adjust to be longer so they can look out the window? Mine looks the same, but I give Peri some leeway....

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

It doesn't adjust to be much longer at the part you connect to the seatbelt, but they have some leeway if they move slowly then the seatbelt extends just like if you were sitting in the seat. If you tug it unexpectedly, it will lock up. So as long as they move around gently the seatbelt will extend. Malu sits on the back driver side sometimes and he can stand up in the middle of the back seat and lick my ear in the front.

[shelly]

Camilla... Look at Darwin! So handsome sitting up like that! I would LOVE to get one of these for Tori, but we have "issues" with pooping in the car due to nerves (I guess). We have to put down one of those plastic tablecloths in the back of the van and she actually goes back there - poops- and then comes back toward the middle seat. She only does this on the way to (vet or groomer) NOT on the way home...

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I just love this picture of Darwin!

[Julie & Cooper]

What a beautiful baby your Darwin is. So handsome sitting up like a good boy. Thanks for the advice.

[Sandra Griffith]

How smart you are to get a seatbelt harness for your doodle to keep him safe. The other alternative is to have him ride in his crate if there is room. If not, you need the harness to fit Cooper at the size he is now. This may mean purchasing more than one harness for him as he grows. I have seen many dogs get out of harnesses that were too big for them. The best way to fit him is to bring Cooper with you to the store and fit him there. If he has not had all of his shots and vet approval yet, carry him in the store (do not place him on the ground), and hold him while trying it on him (an extra person may be of great help to aid you in helping you put it on).

[Julie & Cooper]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I got a harness and adjusted it all the way down and it worked like a dream. We may still have to get a bigger one eventually, but this one has plenty of growing room for now. Cooper did great traveling and I am looking forward to our backpacking trips later this summer.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Julie -- Be sure to check out the discussion going on right now on "tender toes" or something like that. If you are taking Cooper backpacking please remember that his little feet are not yet all toughened up so you have to be careful with his walking on rough or hot surfaces as he could injure is paw pads.