car rides

Very frequent stops (I'd probably stop every 2-3 hours with Cherokee, for 15-20 minutes at least, but she's a really laid-back dog, and very comfortable in the car, so that totally depends on your dogs), and as much exercise as possible when you stop.

You could stuff several Kongs, freeze 'em, and pull them out when the dogs get especially restless. If they like chew toys, bring several of them too. 

If they're crate trained, it may be a good idea to crate them in the car. Might help them be more comfortable. Otherwise I'd use car harnesses so when they get restless they don't try to climb in your lap or all over the car (very distracting).

Keep water handy and offer it to them often.

Uhhm.. that's about all I got. Good luck.

When Misha went on his first long car ride, I stopped about every hour and a half. Now he doesn't go for longer than three hours. Like Cherokee, he's really laid back and will just curl up behind my seat and sleep for most of the ride. Depending on how used to car rides your dogs are, and how big your car is - I'd definitely suggest crating them for such a long ride. You can put water in their crates with them, and some of their favorite toys, and hopefully this will keep them occupied so they don't start causing a ruckus. If you don't crate them, please tether them. I once drove for maybe fifteen minutes with kittens loose in my car - not something I'd like to try again. So it depends on what you usually do for them when you travel, if they get carsick, how easily amused they are... 

We just got back from a round trip drive from Denver to Austin - about 16-17 hours - with our 4 month old puppy. 

We kept her in her travel crate with a chew toy or two.  Stops were made about every two hours for potty & water breaks.  A few times we got to meet other dogs & guardians on their way somewhere, too.

Not sure of your feeding schedule, but we feed Maggie in the a.m. and p.m.... so the morning of the trip we omitted the a.m. meal and gave her the p.m. meal when we arrived - only about 2/3 a full portion tho (this is all based on the advice of our trainer, too).  There was a small, rawhide treat about half way thru the trip, but no food of substanance.  Didn't seem to bother her at all.

She didn't wimper or whine at all throughout the trip!  We were thoroughly impressed at the ease with which she handled the whole ordeal... and it must be said that the trip as a whole was soooooo beneficial in her overall behavior.  Since we've returned she's had fewer potty training set backs, is better with commands and (for some strange reason) is much more interested in Fetch with a ball. 

Best of luck (and weather) on your trip!

I don't use coping mechanisms like decreasing food -- it's hard enough on them TO travel. 

1.  Make sure the dog ALREADY is comfortable pottying ON leash.  If you have a fenced in yard it's too easy to assume you can just 'walk the dog' -- and if the dog isn't used to going ON leash it can be traumatic for everyone. 

2.  Watch the dog and try to be aware of agitation.  Remember, the dog can't use any of it's typical 'tricks' to let YOU know it has to go.  There''s no 'door' to go bark at, there is no way to come up to the computer and sit and give you that 'urgent' look.  So often they will just plain get agitated. 

If you had trouble and they haven't 'gone' so you gave up and went on -- by the time they get back in the car and 'relaxed' from the walk suddenly it can be TIME.  So try to listen for any signs of real agitation.

3.  Think about what your real habits are at home.  Do you know when your dog poops usually?  So if your mate walks the dog at 7 and then you walk the dog again at 8 before you leave for work and the dog poops THEN, when you are on the road the dog is *not* gonna poop when you leave the motel or someone's house.  But it *is* likely going to need to stop after an hour.

Does that make any sense?? 

We got the most unpleasant surprise one of the first times we took the dogs after David and I were married.  Got to a motel, walked the dogs (not very productive I might add).  David and I got chilled out and watched just a bit of TV ... and then I got undressed and then David did.

WHOA --THREE DOGS DESPERATE FOR POTTY.

huh??  Then I thot back to home -- when David went in to get washed up before bed -- that tended to be when I would let all 3 out in the yard.  So Dad "brushing his teeth" was the BIG trigger!!

Sooo we had some re-training to do.  But it made me realize that we have more 'habits' than we know we do.

4.   Take your own water if at all possible -- and I take food prepackaged in the right amounts so I don't have to haul a big bag and have it tear or something.

5.  always take a couple of rolls of paper towels and something to clean with and a TON of plastic bags.  You *might* need them more than you thot!