Advice for trip...

[hmeadq]

We are going out of town for Christmas. We will be bringing Doc (6 months) with us for his first time sleeping away from home.

We are bringing his crate and his bed and all his favroite toys including one pig ear for "comfort" if we need it. We will have his gentle leader in case he gets to hyper. His food and lots of treats of course.

He is used to drives of up to an hour. Hopefully he will make the 4 hour drive with one stop... My mom cleared out the spare room of anything breakable and rolled up the rug (not that he has had any accidents recently, but just to be sure.) He will be with us the whole time.

He is used to other dogs (training and occassional day care) and to being in diffrent situtations (parks, work places, and PetsMart). But he has never been in anyone elses house sense we got him and my parents have the worlds yappiest little Pom (not trained at all because "isn't he cute" ) so I expect Doc will spend a lot of time on leash, sitting next to us, which should be fine as long as he has his squeeky horse. (We are on squeeky horse #3.)

Am I missing anything, or does any one have advice for a trip on a hectic Christmas day (no young children thank goodness.)

[jas'smom]

Sounds like you have things pretty well in hand The crate is a really good idea to take along. It gives him a place to rest and be a "home away from home" it will also provide protection from the "killer Pom"

Have a good trip with your boy

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by hmeadq

Am I missing anything, or does any one have advice for a trip on a hectic Christmas day (no young children thank goodness.)

You don't say how long you are staying but I would bring his own water from home in gallon jugs - a change in water can be just as bad as a sudden food change.

Will yappy dog have free run of the house??

Will your dog stay in the crate in "your" room for part of the visit? - If so - a stuffed kong toy or a frozen marrow bone in the crate can make that less stressful.

[hmeadq]

His Kong! Thanks.

Never would have thought of water... I'll bring a couple gallons.

Unfortantly, he has just started crate training, so he still does not see it as a safe haven... He expects not to be in there if people are home, we have just started working on that, but we want to have it if we need it.

I am hoping that I can get my dad to agree to keep Little Bear the killer Pom in my parents bedroom for at least some of the time, so I can let Doc be a puppy and off his leash...

We plan on staying 3 days. They do have a fenced back yard, so we can go outside and play. Even at home he spends 95% of his time close enought to one of us that he could touch us (or is leaning on us ) So hopefully it won't be to hard on him. If it is we may have to leave early...

(((Just thought I should bring our baby gate that we use at the steps to the basement. Then we can seperate rooms between the dogs...)))

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by hmeadq

We plan on staying 3 days. They do have a fenced back yard, so we can go outside and play. .............. If it is we may have to leave early...

(((Just thought I should bring our baby gate that we use at the steps to the basement. Then we can seperate rooms between the dogs...)))

Babygate sounds like a good idea - but it won't keep them from barking at each other.

Hopefully the dogs can take turns with free run time.

(But I wouldn't be surprised if I wanted to leave early)

[fbkeays]

The dog is a little young to be lifing his leg, but this could still apply. I don't have potted plants in my house (brown thumb). When we have visited my parents, they have several potted plants at or near floor level. My males suddenly thought they were outside and would lift their legs on them. Also becareful of plants that could be poisonous.
Don' forget to bring proof of rabies. Also put a new tag on your dog with contact information (parent's phone or cell phone numbers) of where you will be at just incase he gets lost.

[hmeadq]

Thanks for all the advice. Good advice all.

He wears his Rabies tag all the time.
He is microchiped, and his tag has my fiance's cell number on it.
He has never raised his leg yet and hopefully will not as hes been nuetured...

Who would have thought that there was so much to worry about traveling with a dog.

[jbach]

Sounds like you have everything under control. The four hour trip shouldn't be too much, especially with a stop. Too bad he's not already fully crate trained as that would make it much easier on everyone. Good luck, I'm sure it will be fine.