Road Tripping With Your Dood...

[Pat and Traveler]

Last fall, mid-September, Traveler and I went on a 3200 mile road trip through several Western states. There were a few things I learned from the trip that might prove helpful to other newbie ‘taking the dawg’ road trippers.

#1–LODGING. Look for motels/hotels that have exterior corridors. That means you open your room door and you’re outside. This is really helpful at potty-time. Inside corridors means you get to take the dog down the corridor, probably through the lobby, and then outside. Not fun if you’re just awake with bed-head or dressed in jammies and a robe.

If you have AAA, part of their lodging description includes which motels/hotels are dog friendly. If you travel like I did, without reservations, this is BIG! You can also google ‘pet friendly lodging in ...,’ whatever town or city you’ll be staying in. I didn’t have a laptop, which would probably have helped. Cell phones are great for calling from the road to see if the motel/hotel has a pet-friendly room available. Sometimes I called two or three places before I found a room at the inn, and I wasn’t traveling during high season. Some motel chains, such as Motel 6, advertise that all locations are pet friendly, and I don’t think they charge a pet fee. Otherwise, expect to pay about $10-$25 per day for the luxury of staying in a pet-friendly room.

#2–WHAT TO TAKE IN THE CAR. Take your dood’s regular food–a road trip isn’t a good time to experiment with a new diet, for obvious reasons. Keep a good supply of poo bags right with you, for rest stop or roadside potty breaks. Take a couple of your dood’s favorite toys–this was a great help when I was settled into a room after a long day on the road, and Trav, who’d been mostly sleeping all day, was full of energy and ready to play. Your dood’s bed or favorite blanket is a nice thing to bring along.

#3–FOOD, YOURS. I ended up eating way more fast food than I either expected or wanted, because I couldn’t leave Trav alone in a motel room for more than a few minutes and didn’t like leaving him in the car when I couldn’t see him. Plus, I was traveling mostly in desert country, and it was too hot to leave him in the car. Most of the motels I stayed in had a little refrigerator and microwave, so it was possible to do some food preparation there, but that involved shopping, which again meant leaving him in the car.

#4–NO DOGS ALLOWED. In National Parks, on the trails or paths, even if they’re paved. This pretty much limits you to walking your dog in the camp grounds or parking lots. National Monuments are more dog-friendly, and I was able to hike with Trav on-leash on the trails at Monuments. State parks vary–some are okay with leashed dogs on the trails, some aren’t. The websites for parks tell you their pet policies, and/or that policy is posted by the park entrance.

 

Happy trails to all you roadies!!!

[Pat and Traveler]

LOL Banjo believes in first-class travel! That's his bed, and if he chooses not to bathe before nighty-night, well ... he's on vacation!

[Adina P]

I'd like to add the warning of "Beware if your dog likes to mark outdoors....a pet friendly room may entice him to do it there!" Rosco has been neutered since 5 months. He marks outdoors (as in lifts his legs to pee on things) on walks. But he has NEVER marked in the house. Well...a few minutes into his stay at a hotel with me last fall he lifted his leg onto a table leg!!! I was in shock! But since it was pet friendly...it was also likely marked in the past by other dogs. I had the heebie jeebies in that room for the rest of my stay wondering what other dogs have marked various parts of the furniture...LOL

[Pat and Traveler]

Yuk!! Thanks for that warning, Adina. I'll never feel quite the same about furniture in a pet friendly room. :) Traveler has never lifted his leg to pee (one year old now), likes to check the 'message boards' on walks, but doesn't add his own message. He was neutered at eight weeks--wonder if that has something to do with it...?

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Adina, I am glad I didn't read this before Webber and I took our trip. There is no telling what might have been in those rugs! I was worried about what kind of human deposits were on the bedspreads and I didn't think about the obvious doggie issues. Gross, those motel rooms are probably all dirty.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The one time we took Ned to a hotel, I remembered what you said Rosco had done, and even though Ned doesn't lift his leg, I worried that he might pee somewhere. He didn't so we were fine. Since Clancy DOES lift his leg and did it in our house 4 times when we first got him, I don't think I will ever trust him - in fact we haven't taken him to my mom's antique-filled home. No way! We are getting ready go to Tucson for Thanksgiving week and we are taking my mom's dog and debating whether to take Ned. My daughter is house/pet sitting so we will probably leave Ned also, but I want to take him - my little chickadee.

[Pat and Traveler]

Hey, Clancy--Traveler here. My mom said you gotta stay home while your bro goes on a road trip. Bummer, Dood!! You were just doing what you gotta do, peeing. Be extra-special good--whatever that means, and maybe you'll get to go too. I think it means you stare sadly into your mom's eyes, follow her everywhere, try not to eat all your food, crazy stuff like that. Humans are strange, but you just gotta do the best you can, chickadee. (Chickadee? Now you don't even get to keep your old name? Double bummer! That Ned is sure a trouble-maker.
Your pal,
Trav

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Trav,
The sad-eye stuff worked! My mom and dad took me, just me, out today! We went to several parks and a lake and they took pictures of me. We went to the doggy store and bought food and a bone just for me too! We ended up in the dog park so I could run around more off-leash. I was in heaven, even though I don't like to get my picture taken.
Thanks for the advice,
Clancy aka Chickadee (I kind of like that nickname, it suits me I think)

[Pat and Traveler]

Way to go, Chickadee!! Your Mom would probably call that 'puppy eyes.' Works like a charm on my Mom. Sure sounds like a fun day--wish I could have been with you, except for the picture part. I don't like them either--but hey! You are one gorgeous Dood!!
Your pal,
Traveler