The Introduction! & How to Travel with (BIG) Pets!

 

Yesterday was a long day for us.  We drove the four and a half hour ride up to Vermont to finally "meet" our little guy!  We brought our 7 month old "little" one, Otter up to meet his brother. 

 

A nine hour round trip normally isn't really too much of a haul for us, as I love to drive, and take in all the beautiful scenery, and my husband is tops when it comes to his navigation skills.

 

Enter a 7 month old 125 pound English Mastiff into the back seat of a 2003 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Pick Up. 

 

 

Now, I really can't complain too much, as he was really great in the back seat.  Otter doesn't move around all that much, and for the most part, is almost in a "coma-like" state for much of the ride.  We did learn that through the 9 hour trip he did not get sick once.  I can now cross off that on my list of "Is He or Isn't He's?" 

 

Our biggest hurdle with him, is that he doesn't yet know how to "jump" into the truck:

 

 

 

Otter now takes up the entire back seat, and since our girls were in school and didn't come with us, it really wasn't an issue.  However, if you have big dogs and kids, when buying a vehicle, you really need to take into consideration where everyone will sit when traveling!  Luckily when the "boys" get bigger, we have a cap on the back of one of our trucks which will accommodate them! 

 

Which brings me to this next little list...

 

When traveling with your {BIG} pets

 

1.  Don't just remember the water... remember the water DISH!

 

2.  Remember the treats! 

 

3.  If your not sure if your dog gets car sick, call your vet ahead of time, and see if there is something you can bring as a "just in case".

 

4.  "Poop" bags!  This is actually a huge pet peeve of mine, to see someone letting their four legged one do his "business" at a road side stop, and not picking up after him. 

 

5.  Your dog can't tell you verbally when he "has to go" so make it a point of making regular stops for him or her.  If you need to be somewhere at a specific time, add about 15 minutes per 100 miles of travel for "pit-stop" allowances.  Also if your dog isn't really used to long road trips, it can be quite an adjustment for them, making them have to alleviate themselves a little more often.  Plus big dogs need to be able to stretch.

 

6.  Be aware of changes in their attitude and dispositions.  If he or she starts to get a little rambunctious in the back seat they may be trying to tell you they have to "go", or they need to stretch out for a moment or two.

 

7.  They may not use them, but bring one of their toys or bones.  Chewing on them may help to alleviate some anxiety they may have on the long ride. 

 

8.  Make sure you have identification on your pet, in case the unthinkable happens.  that also includes making sure you have a recent photo of them.

 

9.  Keep the vehicle well ventilated. 

 

10.  Don't leave the dog unattended in your vehicle, ESPECIALLY during the Summer months!  It's so much safer to simply designate a family member to stay when making pit stops.  It may take an extra 5 - 10 minutes of your time, but it could just save their life!