Taking my dog on a trip, need advice

nenedafox

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#1
Hello all, I have a question/situation. We have to go on an unexpected trip to LA this weekend and since it was so short notice we have to take my dog Flinx with us(my other dog is staying with my aunt), we won't be staying overnight though; it will just be a very very very looong day trip that will involve 7 hours in a car both ways and we will only be there for about 3 hours. I want to know what I should bring with me for Flinx other then a food dish, some food, water dish, water, a leash and muzzle. I'm pretty sure thats all I'll need but I want to make sure. I also wanted some advice for getting him to not bark in the car if we have to stop for food and have to leave him for a bit. My dad said putting a muzzle on him should keep him quite but will he be okay for like a hour with it on?

Thanks in advance for the help!
 
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#2
I would strongly suggest you not use a muzzle to quiet him. Leaving a dog alone with a muzzle on is just a bad idea. Many things could go wrong, to include asphyxiation, especially if it is not a basket type muzzle. But I'm assuming you're planning on using one of the snug fitting nylon types, since you have one that will prohibit him from barking. Drive-thru's are invaluable on long car trips with your pet :) If a drive thru is not an option, I would suggest one person stay with the dog while others eat and have them bring back take-out for the one left with the dog. We travel a lot with our dogs and generally it's a pain in the hiney. Can you put him in a boarding kennel? That's a long time to expect a pup to ride in a car with very little relax time out of the car.
 

nenedafox

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#3
I asked the same thing about the boarding kennel, no one in my house agrees with me though :( .....So I'm kinda on my own with handeling him. We haven't purchased a muzzle yet but what about one that was breathable mesh and not very tight? He's going to be attached to a handle with leash to a halt(no collar) while we arn't in the car and anything he could possible get in to has been removed. We also planned about 2 hours worth of pit stops and off time for the poor guy. Oh and does anyone know of how to find any kennels? I tried doing a search online and I got petco....do they board animals? I would call I'm not even sure I could talk my cheapskate dad into doing it, I will try though:D
Thanks for the help chithedobe:)
 

Saje

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#4
My advice would be to make sure you stop and let him run around at least every two hours. We moved all our crew on a three-day trip and NEVER went more than two hours without letting them run around for at least 10 minutes.

I agree, don't use a muzzle if for no other reason than you just haven't conditioned your dog to it. Stay with him. Eat outside. (is it too cold?) Figure something out.

I'd bring a kong with you. They are good, time-consuming toys.
 

Saje

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#5
Is it possible to leave the dog at home and have someone come and let him out a couple times?
 
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#6
Great idea Saje, a kong stuffed with something yummy will be a great boredom buster :)
Is the only purpose of the muzzle to keep him from barking? If so, the only one that I can think of that will work would be dangerous to leave on unattended (imo). He can still bark with the basket type of looser fitting mesh type muzzles. I guess there isn't room for a kennel in the car, eh?

Check out your local yellow pages to help find a kennel. When/if you find one ask for references, check out the facility, basically make sure it is a place you feel comfortable leaving your dog. Good luck! :)
 

nenedafox

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#7
Acualy I just heard (semi) good news from my dad, he still wants to take poor Flinx with us but he said he would stay with him the entire time even when my sister and I have to go do what we're going for, so yay! Its not the best but its better then him being all alone in the car! Thanks for the advice on the kong, he loooves those things with peanut butter in them:D. Any advice on how to handle feeding and such? This won't be his first trip in the car but it will be the longest, we're going at night(11pm) though so do you think he will sleep most of the ride? we still are going to stop every hour though. I think my dad just dosn't trust kennels or somthing because it still seems to be the best solution...anyway thnaks for all the replies!
 

Saje

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#8
How is he in the car normally? Is he relaxed? Does he sleep? I think he will adjust. Mine did ok. Unless he doesn't like car rides in which case that will be very stressful.

Can you bring his blanket or bed to make him more comfortable?

As for feeding feed him at his regular time but he may not be hungry
 

femke

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#9
we took Penny for a trip to thunderbay when she was only four months old. It was quite the challenge but we didn't want to leave her here since we were gonna stay there for a few days. from here to thunderbay is about a 15 hour drive...

We took her crate since we have an SUV, I found that great coz she feels secure in it and in any case that we had to leave the car for a second to get food or something she was save and couldn't get into anything. She was soooo quiet for the whole ride it just amazed me. We were sure to make frequent stops at places that she could run around at for a while. It added a few extra hours to our trip but it was really good for her.

we got her a bunch of new toys before we left and after every stop we switched her toys so she'd have something new to do. Stuffed kong is a great idea!

Just make sure you make your dog as comfortable as possible. and i'm sure he'll do great. goodluck!
 

nenedafox

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#10
We took him in the car with us during our usual errands on sunday and he was great. Since we just have a normal car and not an suv he has to sit in the back with me and was very well behaved, after the first half hour he just kinda flopped on his side with his head on my lap and napped.(I love my puppy so much!) So I have a good feeling he should be good in the car with us. I will take his blanky so he won't be to unpset when we arn't home in 3 hours. Thanks for all the help and advice!:)
 

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