6-7 hour car ride coming up!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

On his very first car trip home, my then 10 week old Quincy tossed his cookies on my lap and then one or two other times when he was little.   My husband took him for one of the routine puppy visits soon after that and came home with Cerenia- for motion sickness prevention.  We have never given it to him.  

Since then, we have had him on short trips, none more than 45 minutes, many times since and he is fine.  My question is whether I should go ahead and give him this medication before we take him on our anticipated 6+ hour trip for my son's graduation. From the directions, it looks like this medication works similar to Dramamine where it is to be taken BEFORE the motion sickness can start so I don't think I have the option of bringing it along just in case.  

Part 2 is that we will be staying in my son's apartment on an air bed-should be interesting to see how Quincy adapts to that.  I guess we can always send him in to my son's room!  We will also have to walk him for his business.  Do you think his potty bells would work in a new environment?   

We have been leaving him out of the crate while we are not home - not all day but for short periods since he can't go to the grad ceremony or out to dinner with us.  He's been a good boy.  

I am just a home body and other than seeing my son graduate, I am not looking forward to this.  Me, who traveled cross country in a car and camped out in a pup tent TWICE.  I am just too settled and I now hate to travel.  It is only because it is my son that I am doing this!  

[Sheila & Finnley]

Are you bringing the crate with you ? I would and put him in it while you are at graduation and dinner. He would probably feel safer in there in a strange environment while you are gone. Of course that is just my opinion. As for car sickness, I have nothing to share on that discussion. I was lucky with Finnley and riding in the car. When she was 3 months old we brought her with us to take our son back to college in Maine. That was a 5 hour trip, and she did excellent.... even with me driving !! LOL

Finally, I'd bring the potty bells and ring them there then bring him right out after you do it. He probably would be happy to see there is something else familiar to his routine there.

Good luck !!

[Heather]

My Oliver can get car sick and the vet recommended Drammamine. We had a 7-8 hour trip that we were making. We gave him the Drammamine, and before we even got in the car he threw it up. On our ride home we decided to give him a little food and NO Drammamine and he threw up once on a 7 hour ride. I put a blanket down that I could just roll up and wash when we got home. I take him in the car for rides now about 4-5 times a week and he has been fine. He just turned "1", so the vet thinks he'll grow out of it. Bring some bags and a roll of paper towels just in case!!! Good Luck~

[Lynda Kamrath]

If you think it will be too nervewracking for you, you might get someone to stay with him at your home while you go to the graduation.  That is a long way if he is not accustomed to riding for long distances in the car.  Or you might try a shorter trip and try the medication before you go on the long trip.  Leaving him in a crate in a strange place might be upsetting for him also.  When we have stayed in motels in a strange place we have had a sitter come to stay with the dogs because I did not want them barking and bothering the other guests.  Lots of things to think about.

Another option is that you might find someone in your area who would be willing to exchange sitting with you.  Another doodle owner is perfect.  I frequently have dogs visit with us for short or long stays and my dogs loves the company.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I was going to suggest trying the medication before your trip to see how Quincy reacts. I think it's a good idea. I am interested in how you found the pet sitter, when staying in a motel, Lynda. I have not taken the dogs anyplace overnight because of how they might be in a strange setting if I left them for a while. This solution sounds good.

[Pat and Traveler]

I was very interested in this idea too.  The only place I can leave Trav when traveling is in the car, which doesn't work if the weather is the least bit warm.  I did find a dog sitter place for a day in Utah.  No motel I've stayed in allows a dog to be left alone in the room--not that I'd do that anyhow!

[Lynda Kamrath]

That reminded me!  Once we were in Lake Tahoe and doing a bike trip for the day.  We didn't want to leave a dog alone at the cabin all day, so we found a "doggie daycare" facility nearby and could take him there for the day.  We had checked it out before hand and needed to have his medical records and a bordadella sniff beforehand, but that is pretty normal.  Since they are very accustomed to being around a lot of other dogs, it was a great day for him, and carefree for us.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good idea.

[Lynda Kamrath]

We were in Yuma for my father-in-law's birthday party.  We were all going out to a restaurant for the party and it was easy to find a friend of the family who was available to sit while we were at the party.  I actually prefer this to leaving them at a relative's house alone or with other pets.  Our dogs have done a lot of traveling and are great in the car, but there is so much to consider.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

For us, I would bring the crate if it is possible!  Libby is always in her crate when we are gone and it is definitely her comfort zone.  As for the Dramamine I have no experience with it, so can't help with that question.  Have a safe trip and congratulations on your son's graduation!  Lori, I totally understand the "travel" thing:)

[Christine & Shelby]

I took my first long road trip with my doodle last summer.... It was a 10 drive - took us twelve hours with all the stops. A few thoughts... If your doodle can handle a 45 minute car ride... I think he'll be fine. I took Shelby's potty bells with me for our hotel stay and she rang them when she needed to go out! I even take them with us when we go to visit friends.... Who don't have dog doors like we do at home.
I planned on stopping every two hours for a quick walk and potty break for Shelby... We hit the rest areas and she loved all the attention she got. For lunch, I did a drive through and then parked with the back of my SUV to a grassy patch in the parking lot, put her on a 15 foot lead attached to my car and we had a picnic. She didn't really care to eat much while traveling... So don't be surprised if that happens.
I brought things that were familiar since I knew she'd be in an unfamiliar place (a hotel) while I was at a wedding. I made sure to exercise her really good before the wedding.... It was an late afternoon wedding. So we found a local dog park in the or area, went to petsmart in the afternoon and met some friends before getting ready... I essentially didn't allow her to nap! I am confident she was thrilled that I left so she could sleep.
Bring his dog bed if he has one... A favorite toy or two and keep all routines the same!! If you give a particular treat when you leave the house... Make sure you bring that treat with you to give before leaving. I was suprised how easy the road trip was.... She just settled in and it was a fun trip for us both! Good luck.... Let us know how it goes.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Thanks everyone!  Gave me lots of good ideas to think about.  I wish I could just beam us both up there!  Then I am staying to help him pack up his apartment.  We will see if Quincy stays with me or goes home sunday with DH...I am thinking I will miss him too much but if he does not settle in the apartment, DH can take him home.  

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Bella gets car sick and although she has adapted to longer and longer stretches, (45 -90 min) we have found that there is about a 2 hour limit and she then starts up chucking. Just when you think you are out of the woods. We have not gotten her past 2 hours yet because its kind of hard to just take two hour + trips to see if your dog can handle longer rides. I just layers several blankets, towels and the bottom layer being waterproof and just peel off the dirty layer and wash later. If I had medication I would probably give it to her if we were taking as long a trip as you are. It will help her tummy settle, as motion sickness is nasty even if you don't vomit. I don't know if any person or dog can "grow out of it" but hers has gotten better. It's a shame because she LOVES car rides.