Moving across the country.. Tips?

My boyfriend and I are having to move across the country. We will have to drive, and I've never had a dog with me on a 4/5 day road trip. I want to make sure Kennedy is okay. Any tips on what to do?

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on September 15, 2012 at 7:50am

Hi Gracie,

The safest thing to do is put Kennedy in a crate. Always always always leash him before opening your car door. Have a flashlight / poop bags in the glovebox, your pocket. Papertowel / bottle water for messy bottom. Keep his shot records handy just in case you decided to visit a dog park / groomer / hotel for any reason. Keep a current picture of Kennedy in your phone, get him chipped.

As far as potty schedule goes, try to keep it the same as home, otherwise, take him out every time you stop for gas (2 hrs), go far away form the gas station, watch out for coolant. It is also a good time to rehydrate.

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Throneberry on September 15, 2012 at 9:56am

My bigges advice is bring some of Kennedy's favorite things... A blanket or toys something that smells like home and her and put it in the crate with her on the car ride. If you have a hard enough time stop at a pet store and get a pheromone collar or some natural calming pills. These will make her sleep or just be calm and not make her panic in any way. And I would make sure to be aware of dangerous things in this new place your moving to... For instence if that area is high in ticks or parvo or other things you might need to vaccinate or protect your dog from. Enjoy your trip :)

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Permalink Reply by Marcie on September 15, 2012 at 2:03pm

The last time I drove cross country it was with a dog, cat and two birds. My truck looked like the the Beverly Hillbillies drive to Maine. I agree with everything Sam says. I would add plastic bags bigger than a poop bag in case you need to clean up barf.

Where are you planning on staying overnight? I had AAA maps and books and tried to plan pet friendly motels to stop at. I had a city I would aim to reach each day. Then I would look for places to stay on the further side of it. That way I didn't have to deal with commuter traffic into the city when I left the next morning. Meals are also an issue, it may be too hot to leave a pet in the car. I had a cooler and snack bag in the truck. Breakfast was usually a poptart or McDonalds drive through. I didn't stop for lunch, ate from my stash. Once I checked into a motel I asked at the check in desk about take out possibilities.

I made the trip alone so safety was also a priority. My dog went into more than one rest stop with me, rules or no rules. I was off the road by sunset and just careful to the point of being paranoid.

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Permalink Reply by Gracie on September 15, 2012 at 2:48pm

Thank you for all the tips, I really appreciate it! We're going to be staying in Toledo, Des Moines and Cheyenne, and then Boise, which is home.

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Permalink Reply by Marcie on September 15, 2012 at 10:44pm

Another tip, sounds silly but I had a close call in Nebraska one trip. Have a tornado plan. It is late in the season but... I was driving through Nebraska with a friend and our cats on the way to Maine for the summer. We had a tornado warning/watch. Everyone was getting off the interstate. We managed to get a motel room, but had to sleep clothed with the cats still in their crates, tv on for updates. It was wild. The tornado didn't get us, but my brand new truck got plenty of hail dents that night. We were just extremely lucky to find a place that would take pets.

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Permalink Reply by Snickmom on September 15, 2012 at 7:36pm

Between now and when you leave, take him driving, in his crate as often as possible. Snickers got car sick when she was a pup. It would be better if you know anything like that before you leave, and practice will make him more comfortable.