road trip

[harleyrox]

My dachsies Harley and Roxie will be taking their first road-trip this Saturday. We'll be driving 14 hours from Florida to N.C. to visit their grandparents. We'll have a huge crate set up for the ride, and we're taking along lots of familiar toys and blankies. I'm just a little concerned how they'll behave in a different place. They love their routine. I'm sure they'll surprise me! Any advice from you dachsies out there who travel often?http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif

[wireweiners]

Make sure they are wearing collars with id tags. Stop every 2-3 hours for a potty and leg stretch break. Take plenty of water from home and once you get to your destination start gradually adding the local water to the water from home so their tummies won't get upset. Try to keep to their regular schedule as much as possible with regard to feeding time, walks, etc.

When you get to your parents, watch them closely for a while and maybe confine them to one room or area of the house until they get acclimated. Sometimes housetraining slips a little in a new environment. If your parents have a fenced yard, go out with them for the first couple of days and be sure and inspect the fence to make sure it is dachsie proof. Also, I always take some doggy diarrhea medicine along just in case.

Have fun, my guys like road trips.<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm35.gif" border=0>

[Penny's Aunt]

Your dogs already wear ID tags, right? For the trip, put a piece of waterproof adhesive tape over both sides; on one side, put your parents' phone number, on the other, put a friend's phone number in your home town (be sure to tell the friend, & if the subject of a reward comes up, YES there IS a reward).

Even if your pups always come when called at home, keep leashes on them during potty breaks.

Have a good trip!

[Buddy's mom]

I would also suggest microchipping them as well. I just had Bud done yesterday. It only cost $20 bucks and was a simple injection in the vets office. Our vet said all animal control offices, all humane society offices and most vet offices have scanners. I just like the piece of mind I get knowing he is a little more secure with the chip.

[Wienergal]

Hey, Wirewieners, I think you just solved an Unsolved Dachshund Mystery! The first time I took the dogs to visit my parents in their home in the mountains, Peaches developed loose stools on the first day we were there, and it persisted for the entire visit. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/sick.gif As soon as we got home, it stopped. I couldn't figure out what the problem could be, since I took their regular food, biscuits, etc. along.

So now I'm thinking...it was the water!!! So that is REALLY good advice about taking some water from home and making a gradual switch to the local "brew."

My dogs LOOOOOOOOVE road trips! When we hit the rest stop areas, there are a zillion new smells to sniff--it's hard to get them back in the car! Plus, along the way, they just might get a plain hamburger as a snack.... Do keep them on a leash, though, and don't leave them alone in the car unless (1) it's cool outside (NOT LIKELY!) and (2) you can see them from wherever you are. Lotta nuts out there!

Enjoy! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Becky's Mom]

Becky Ann loves road trips. We just got back from a week in Kentucky and in April we went to Florida for almost 2 weeks. We put her wire cage in the back seat, take her favorite basket and toys and lots of bottled water. We stay on bottled water all the time we are gone. When traveling we use a harness because they are a little more difficult to slip off. We have never had any problems with Becky Ann either in motels or relatives homes. We do plenty of rest stops with fresh water along the way. Be prepared to meet other doxie owners that have left their babies at home because then the pats and kisses really get handed out. We have met lots of great doxie people at gas stations, rest areas, motels, parks, you name it. There is no better way to travel than with the furbaby.

[harleyrox]

Thanks for all the great advice!!<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm38.gif" border=0> I'm sure next week will be a great adventure.

~Christy, Harley, and Roxie<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm3.gif" border=0>