I was just wondering what you need to take a dog on a long distance road trip (About a 15 hour drive). We'd stop every once in awhile for bathroom breaks and gas, but what are some good tips on taking your dog for long distances?

I made sure my dogs were safe - in a kennel - and didn't overheat. I provided plenty of water and stopped and walked them frequently. They slept a lot but they also were awake a lot mostly barking at passing white cars (for some reason they didn't like white cars). I fed them hours before I left and fed them again when we stopped for the night. I did have dog biscuits for them but they weren't interested. I never left them alone in the car and actually took them into the roadside restroom with me.

That is a very long journey for a dog, especially if he doesn't like travelling.

A vet will perscribe a sleeping tablet, which will keep him calm and probably send him to sleep for the best part of the journey.

Explain the situation to your vet, who will advise you the best thing for your dog.

Everyone is different but I would not sedate my dog unless there were big problems with travelling - and perhaps there are.

I traveled two days with my dog once. She ate when we ate.. Drank when we drank.. went potty when we all stopped.. She slept most the way in the back of the car with me.

Unless your dog gets carsick, I don't see any reason why you need to contact your vet for a sedation pill. Just travel like how you always travel. Personal prefrence if you want to crate while traveling.

Have a good trip:)

I only mentioned a crate because I had a GSD, over 100 pounds, my car got rearended and he was sitting directly behind me. He came forward and hit me in the back of the head to the extent I ended up wearing a cervical collar (we had matching collars, sort of). I see a number of accidents every year where dogs become projectiles and so I think it's a good idea to be safe.

Crates are a good idea for long distance traveling.. Along with the doggy seat belt.

One year when my family and I traveled across Colorado camping, the dogs got stuck in the back of the truck with all the gear in a crate.

My 2 day trip in my little car, with my pointer (60lbs) and my parents -- Just no room for a crate lol

He is fine with travelling, but the longest he has been in a car was 2
Hours. I was thinking of getting a doggie seatbelt, we won't have room for a kennel. Do the doggie seatbelts actually work to keep the dog safe?

Yea they do. They sit like a 7 point seatbelt on the dog and attach to the part of the seatbelt that has the quick stop in it. I have a friend who loves them!

Can you get them for small dogs (He is 18 pounds or so)

I once traveled from Vancouver B.C to Nova Scotia, took me 6 days. We traveled with a 90lbs GSD and a 12 lbs shih tzu. We didn't sedate either of them, and we crated the GSD, no seat belt for the Shih Tzu. The trip went fine, we just had to make a few extra pit stops and a little longer stretches. I am sure if your dogs are good travelers for 2 hours they will be fine for the 15.

Good Luck! :)

I have traveled with my dogs also and the most I got was a lot of drool. After a while they calm down because they realize there is no destination in the near future. You already know your dog, so you will know if he/she has to stop. We have portable water bowls and treats, but most of the time it was a waste of water and like Judy said they were not interested in the treats. (too excited)

I also have one dog (Bingo) who made a big effort of barking at certain cars (only if she could see people in the car) and toll booth operators, the other could care less.:rolleyes:

Be wary of any motels you stop to stay in.
We stopped at a dog friendly motel and Bingo freaked out from ALL the smells to the point that we almost turned back after 6 hours. We thought she was very ill.

They obviously hadn't cleaned the room very well. When we left there she was OK. Although she is a bubble short of plumb:) I think a normal dog would be just fine.

Were planning on driving the full 15 hours only stopping for bathroom breaks, gas, and food if we decide not to bring it. There will be three of us who can drive so motels and such won't be a problem, but were bringing a tent just in case. Were staying at a family friends when we arrive.

My sisters dog who was a big german sheppard x labrador only ever used to get the doggy seatbelt and she did fine every time.

My dogs also get the seatbelt (maltese). Its fine for one of my dogs as she just sits there and sleeps the other dog you have to stop every 5 minutes until she has emptied her bowels as she gets her self worked up and poos her self or will wet her self.

Nothing that a bit of plastic and a towel can't fix though.