Traveling with a dog

[becca_4321]

This may sound like a very strange question, but how do you get a dog to potty in strange places! We took a trip to Florida, it was our first one since having Princess. She did great, loved it, except for one problem, she wouldnt potty! We'd know she had to go, we'd walk and walk with her, give her plenty of time but she wouldnt do it. After several hours she might give in and pee, but wouldnt pooh. In Florida we'd even take walks to find a more normal looking lot of grass thinking it was the feel of the grass that she didnt like (totally different from what we have here). Didnt help at all.
We are taking another working trip to another state in less than a week. We wont be gone as long but I'm worried about Princess refusing to go potty again. I see other people travel with their pets who take the dog walks and just do their jobs, yet princess takes the walks and refuses to do her job! Any suggestions?
Also, soon we are taking a trip into British Columbia. It is a 3 day drive there, will be in British Columbia for 3 or 4 days. We dont want to leave Princess with a sitter but arent sure if it's a good idea to take her acrossed the border. I've considered boarding her right before crossing the border. Is it a big ordeal to drive with a pet into another country?

 

[Renee750il]

I've forgotten, how old is Princess?

When Shiva was a younger pup we spent New Year's Eve with a friend of Charley's and since we planned on just spending the night took Shiva and Bimmer (this was before Kharma). We must have walked Shiva outside twenty times! She smelled everything, explored . . . but resolutely refused to pee. She must have held it for 18 hours! I e-mailed my Fila friend Amy about it and she said it wasn't all that unusual in young dogs in her experience and that they grow out of it as they get older and more comfortable and socialized. So the more you take her, the more at ease she should get with the idea of using a strange "bathroom." If you think about how most kids go through a stage where they don't want to use a strange bathroom it makes sense.

Crossing the border with a dog I don't know about, although it shouldn't be as big a deal going into Canada as it might be elsewhere. Why don't you go the Canadian website and check it out, or contact the Canadian Embassy?

 

[becca_4321]

That makes me feel better. At the time we went to Florida Princess was only 4 or 5 months old. She's a year old now. Maybe she wont be as bad with this trip, but even if she does do the same thing I'll know its not uncommon for her to react this way.
I think the trip to BC we have to go into Seattle, I think its to stop to visit someone, I did see online a boarding place that didnt sound to awful bad. I've considered looking into that one with Princess, even if it turns out to be a bit out of our way.

 

[avenlee]

If you think about how most kids go through a stage where they don't want to use a strange bathroom it makes sense.

So funny you should mention this fact. I remember with my kids when they were potty training and forced to go to a public bathroom and not their own. I'd use the sanitary covering and sit them down and sit there tapping my foot waiting for them to go and they wouldn't. Then I'd wonder why when the sanitary covering wasn't available and have to literally hold them above the seat in a sitting position and expect them to go and they wouldn't?! LOL Now they could care less and I have to remind them about the sanitary thing.

 

[Saje]

Actually it is a bigger thing that it used to be. Border laws have changed quite a bit and you shouldn't definitely look into it before crossing. It's much better to be prepared.

Ask your vet too if he is knowledgable is such things. You'll need to be able to prove he is vaccinated for rabies and has a health certificate.

This is from our government website:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4161/rc4161-e.html#P174_10300

 

[bonster]

Funny - Bonnie is just like that, needs to feel 'right' or be absolutely busting to go when away from home - even locally - at least for the first day or so. To help though I've found that a suitable word of encouragement used when she is going 'at home' (to build an association) might help her get the idea that it is safe/OK etc when in a strange place. Made easier because she is usually quite regular.... but doesn't always work though!

Can't help with border crossings in your area! but do be sure that you know the rules for getting out and back IN again! In Europe there is a "pet passport" system to prove that your pet has all the right innoculations (and your dog must be microchipped and registered) - many countries you can pass straight through but certain ones e.g. England still insist on a just-pre-border-crossing inspection from an approved vet.

 

[Saje]

Those are good points. From what I've read the only probably you might have getting back in is if you try to bring Canadian dog food into the use. I don't imagine you would be doing that. But do check it out thoroughly. I had trouble when leaving both Chile and Japan. Chile would not let me leave for a week because of paperwork issues. It's a long story.

 

[bubbatd]

My mother was living in Toronto and I in Indiana, so I crossed the border several times a year with Bubba. I always took the vets forms for proof of vaccinations.Also always had his Therapy Dog registrations which showed proof of insurance for any injuries. Never had to show any of these either coming or going, but was happy I had them with me.

 

[becca_4321]

I have about a month to figure it out. Hate the thought of being away from her for more than a day (that drives me nuts alone). But at the same time I dont want to put her in any situation that could be bad. I might find myself saying I'll just stay home with her, yet I hate to pass up a chance to go there. I dont have any kind of insurance on her. I can have her shots records with me, thats no problem. Has anyone here ever had to put their pets in a boarding place? I have done some research and alot of them sound AWFUL! Seems you have to pay for any little extra thing you'd want done for your dog. Pay so much for a walk, treat, ect.
This is my problem, I get excited about taking this trip (work for my husband but vacation for me) then I think of her being with a sitter for 2 weeks at home, then I miss her already so I decide she has to go with us but then I think of the problems we could have with her in BC so I decide we'll take her as far as Seattle and put her with a boarder. Then I think of her in a cage, all sad and scared, not understanding why she is there, and then I'm back to square 1, thinking maybe I'll just STAY HOME! Its awful.

 

[Saje]

Take her with you. Just do your research. Vancouver is very dog friendly. (If that's where you're going) On the west end almost every store welcomes your dog and gives him treats. The pizza places put water dishes out front for dogs who are passing by. There are lots of on and off leash parks (more on leash).

Everyone wills top and ooh and aww over your pup. I got Maverick while I was living on the west end. My mom came to visit and took him for a walk and he stopped dead in front of the video store. She thought we must rent a lot of videos but it's because that's where he played with his best friend and always got a treat.

And across the street at the pet store they new all the dogs by name. I even saw a lady walking her dog after the store had closed and he stopped and barked and barked at the empty store. Where's my cookie! LOL

You'll have a good time if you go there. I hope you make it. Just do your research call the closest Canadian embassy or consulate. Talk to your vet. Get extra copies of your vaccination records and leave it with a friend in case you lose yours. If I was still living there I'd go and meet you. Want to meet my friend? LOL

 

[smkie]

It has been so cold lately than when I take Vic out on the leash to eliminate I tell him Hike...he knows exactly what I mean and we are only out there for seconds. Maybe you could begin since your dog is young enough to go out at home and use a command when she does go..it is worth a shot. Vic sure knows what I mean, It is almost funny but it shouldn't be,
Hyia my grandaughter was 4 when we attended a soccer game at the high school. When I took her to the lohnny on the spot she took one look and no way so we had to walk up to the school and knock on the door until the janitor unlocked it and let us in. Wasn't any point in arguing with her, i knew the look and kinda understood too.

 

[Renee750il]

I've only boarded my animals once and I'll never do it again, even though they were very well taken care of there. It was at our vets in North Carolina - I was probably fourteen at the time - and my parents didn't want to take them with us on vacation. Dr. Trainer (his full name was Paul E. Trainer - he had no choice in his vocation, lol) and his staff were wonderful, but they were distraught after we came back. Thank goodness we returned early after only five days, because they were frantic and ready to start feeding Purdue with an IV. He had refused to eat since we left him there. They put Mickey and Gulliver (the Terrier and tomcat) in the kennel with him to try to reassure him but it did no good. Dr. Trainer's wife, who assisted at the clinic, was in tears when she brought Purdue out to me.

From what Saje's posted it sounds like it really shouldn't be too much of a problem to take Princess with you if you check ahead and see what's required - and have everything in triplicate stashed in the car and with the Travelers' Cheques and one in your purse!

 

[Doberluv]

I agree with teaching your dog a command for peeing. I've done that since mine were puppies. Everytime she goes, say your command, "go pee pee" "go poo poo" or "do your thing"....whatever. Then when she finishes, say, "goooood pee pee." She'll eventually connect the word with the act.

You could practice driving somewhere near your house every day and taking her out and see if she'll pee in a new place....just to give her the idea and if she goes, lots of praise, maybe a treat.

Also, when the dog doesn't get much exercise, (us too) when driving in a car for long periods, in the same position, there's a tendancy to get a little constipated. So, if you have time, stop every couple hours and take a good walk/run and get things moving in there.

 

[smkie]

The dogs that were boarded at the kennel I worked at were well taken care of, they were not walked for we didn't take the risk..once they were locked in they stayed that way until you came back. They did have large runs. It is not a pleasant experience, but dogs patience. They are very good at waiting. That is pretty much what they would all do. Hunker down and wait. It isn't a pleasant experience by any means. If you knew someone you could trust to watch "a nanny" that your dog knows that is always what I hope people can find. I don't think you have to change your travel plans though. You could take him/her to a kennel for an hour or two, and then pick her up. That way when you do leave her she will believe that you will come back. WE had one german shepard, I have written about him before that was so scared in the beginning, but he too started the "wait". They would come visit him and bring him a mcdonalds hamburger. The man had cancer and couldn't manage the dog while he went through chemo. AFter they left that dog kept that hamburger in his mouth for a day or two until it completely dissolved. The man did improve and the dog did get to go home. No worse for the experience in the long run. Ours was not the hilton, but the dogs were safe, clean, fed and watered, and talked to. This dog was an extreme case, most dogs took it a bit easier then that. They do have each other to complain to. If you have a lab like the one I had it was a different story. He got out of every kennel on the place. He rammed it until the wire would give, that or the roof. HE also jumped through windows if I tried to leave him home alone. Soon as I was out of site he would eat his way out. He was a power house. That kind of dog I would never recommend to be left at a kennel. The kennel wouldn't want him either.

 

[smkie]

I wouldn't get caught dead saying go poo poo...oh please,WE always use the command, Hike! Give the poor dog some dignity! haha, just kidding but oh my I couldn't imagine saying that where someone could hear me!

 

[bonster]

well whatever word or phrase you pick, just make sure it isn't one that might come up in conversation !!!

 

[Renee750il]

OMG! What a funny thought . . . That would make a good Candid Camera spot.