Camping and Driving

[vandronova]

Dear yorkie mommies/daddies:
I am combining two questions in one post. 1. Do you take your yorkie camping? My bf and I are big campers and now hoping to have Tiny join us on our camping adventures. Any advice to avoid any common problems that you may have encounted while camping with your yorkie?
2. How do you drive with your yorkie? I am sure the responsible thing would be to put him in a carrier. How many of you actually do that? Do you let him sit on the front seat? My biggest fear is him trying to jump out of the open window. My bf thinks that I am crazy and he would never do that. I am not so sure: they are sooo curious. Also, he loves crawling on my shoulder and observing. I am sure that is not safe, but that's how he enjoys the car rides. I see people with their dogs in their laps driving all the time, and I would never let him sit on my lap, because he could get hurt so easily if I brake or something. I hope I do not come off as not responsible.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Tibbe rides in a little hard plastic carrier that the seat belt goes through to hold it in place. It has a furry rug and blanket inside and I put it in the front seat as I have no back seat and I can stick my fingers in the side holes to touch Tibbe during a drive. He is usually a little active in the carrier when we first leave as he can't see out and it is no fun being stuck in there but very soon he just lets go and sleeps. He's too small to let ride in the front seat without protection as the air bag could kill him if being thrown around in the vehicle didn't, so I have to put him in the carrier for his safety. Once we get where we are going, he is just thrilled so I guess he will always travel with me most times.

[vandronova]

awww, that s too cute! I have a mental picture. Tiny hates any sort of confined spaces. He literally starts beating himself against the walls and screaming like a piggie that is being slatered. It is heart wrecking. That is why I was never able to kennel him during the day or at night or in the car. He is more of a hazard in it than just sitting on my shoulder. Maybe I just did not train him right from the start....

[gaijingirl]

I agree that he shouldn't sit on your lap for safety reasons, but I think he could get hurt just as easily sitting on your shoulder. It would not take much of a hard brake at all to send him flying.

If you don't want to crate him, why not look into a car seat or even just using a seat belt? I think that a seat belt in the least should be used. We have a booster car seat which allows Snickers to see out the window. His harness is strapped on with a belt also. Snickers didn't like having to sit in the seat initially. He used to want to get on my lap or be held in the car, but now, he loves the seat and he jumps into the car and puts himself into his seat without any help most times (except for doing up his buckle). It's so fun that he learned this.

If you have a newer car, the airbags on the passenger side will probably automatically turn off, (or maybe you can manually do it?) if it senses the passenger in the seat is under a certain weight. Mine turn off automatically and there is a dashboard like that tells me it is off.

[MilliesMum]

hi there! my fianncee and i are avid campers too and take our yorkie Millie with us everytime and shes an absolute star, she loves it!! weve taken her with us since she was about 10 weeks old! when ever she comes in the car, we put her harness on her and put her on her doggie seat belt which is the best buy i think ive ever bought! its an amazing piece of kit that works a treat. ive had to do many emergency stops with Millie in the back seat on her seat belt and shes been completely fine. i would suggest only using it on the back seat though as if your yorkie is like mine, if she get the chance to sit on your lap she will and because of the position of the front seatbelt clip, she can reach your lap. heres the link to the seat belt on ebay that we bought: SAFETY SEAT BELT RESTRAINT HARNESS FOR DOG/DOGS *NEW* | eBay UK theyre so good we bought 2 of them! one for each of our cars!!

when camping, the only tips i would give is buy a retractable lead for your yorkie as they tend to escape underneath the tent flaps when they want too, but with a retractable lead you can keep them on it when needed and choose the length you want. Also make sure you take your yorkies blanket as the tempreture can drop an awfull lot at night for them.

Happy camping!!

[AlicetheYorkie]

I'm planning on taking Alice camping this summer too It will be her first time, but we've taken our other dogs.

Make SURE you have a flea and TICK preventative on him, that's #1. We use Frontline Plus and that has worked fine for where we go. We have a camper, so the dogs sleep on beds on the floor in there with us, never outside alone. Everything else is pretty obvious - keep him on a leash at all times, away from camp fires and water. There's a small lake at the place where we usually go and I personaly don't ever let my dogs drink out of it (I see some people do, but I worry about parasites). Oh, speaking of that, alot of fishing goes on where we go, watch out for that! Our "neighbors" last year left a fishing pole on the ground with the bait and hook attached - luckily I saw it just as my Akita was starting to sniff it . Make sure he always has plently of cool water available, be mindfull of how much time is spent in hot sun. I don't worry about it with my big dogs, but for Alice I think I'm going to get her little "bootie" things to protect her tiny, soft paw pads from all the little rocks and twigs. I also have their stools checked for possible parasites about a week after we get back from a camping trip. I watch them closely, but they're dogs, so of course their noses are to the ground alot and with rabbits and deer roaming the place in the off season, there could be something in the soil. Have fun, my dogs LOVE camping

[vandronova]

Thank you, all! Wow, I thought I was a crazy yorkie lady, but I have never heard of seat belts and car seats for the dogs that is pretty amazing! You guys are real pro s! So glad that I joined the site, I am learning every day!

[dawn27]

I have been camping with my Yorkies for the past nine years since we got our first. Up til this past summer when we went with all four of them. My biggest concern would be to make sure that they have had a Lepto vaccination:

Leptospirosis, is a contagious disease affecting both animals and humans and spread by infection with a bacterial pathogen called Leptospira, that is spread through wild animal urine and feces. May result in chronic liver and kidney disease and is fatal to dogs.

They must be on leashes at all times. Also I always make sure that there is plenty of shade at our camp site for the dogs to rest and that they have water available at all times so that they do not get dehydrated . Don't leave any dog food out or the birds will gobble it up! I always take toys, treats and comforts from home with us.

We have had no issues and we love going camping with our dogs. We usually go during the week when the camp is not so filled up so that we can enjoy our trip without disturbing other near by campers with all of the confusion that can take place with four dogs.
  

[shawnzeppi]

Of course the safest solution is a proper small dog car seat. We use them when its just me and the GF although the pack hates them. If there is no room in the car, like on the current vacation, they sit on laps. I am not sure what would happen should an airbag inflate in an accident, but I suspect it would do a lot of good with a person being properly buckled in. Perhaps someone with experience could chime in here?

Our yorkie who passes away (Pippin) used to love to crawl up my shoulder and wedge between the headrest and my neck. Not safe but that is the only place he felt safe. He was a shaking wreck otherwise. Not only did he get a good view up there, but I think in retrospect, being wedged in there made him feel secure (see the previious post on the "thunder shirt."

Life is risky, look at all the motorcycle riders... Take as much risk as you judge appropriate under the circumstances.

[vandronova]

awww. That is where Tiny likes to ride - shoulder. Otherwise, he is all whiney. Wow thank you for heads up on the vaccine. I have never heard of that before, good call!

[cpurser]

My husband and I go camping all the time with our two---of course we're old and we cheat--we have an RV. We use 3 expens arond the front of the camper so the fur babies can go out the door and be in their "fenced in yard" I'm sure you could do the same thing around the front of your tent. It helps to give them a little more freedom. Of course I don't leave them out there when I'm not there Enjoy!

[SWHouston]

A few years back, we loved to go camping, and I would use a very long
1/4" Nylon Rope with snap hook, to limit my then (Old English SD) to the
near camp vicinity. Very inexpensive, and you can select the length, as
is required for the Site. The original piece was 50', and shortened/tied to
a tree/whatever, to accommodate the Site requirement.

When traveling/riding in the Car, I always use standard Harness', with
two dedicated Leash's (one for each dog) which are permanently fed
down through the separation/slit of the Back and Bottom of the seat
to it's metal under-frame. This allows a quick attachment to a pre
adjusted/lenthed Leash, allowing them to lay or stand and look out
the windows. BUT, not enough to let them be thrown into the back
of the front seat, if a sudden stop is required.

[gemy]

Okay with camping; first you must bring your first aid kit for doggies, and one for humans would be nice too.
Second: find out where the nearest emergency vet is where you will be

I use a portable covered 4x4 doggie playpen/tent for Razzle when we are on the campsite. He sleeps as all our dogs do when camping in his crate inside the tent.

You need flea and tick prevention.

Bring water from home or use bottled water so as not to upset the dogs tummy's.

Check paws every day to insure no cuts or burrs or thistles etc are embedded.

Keep food in airtight and bug tight canisters.

Make sure you have enough warm blankies for cold nights. Research average day/night temperatures of your camping spot.

Bring an extra lead and harness (in case of loss/or equipment failure)

Bring some basic grooming supplies; brush/comb grooming spray, shampoo
If you will be hiking with your dog; take along a water bowl for the dog.

Never let your dog eat off "things" off the ground.

Keep your dog on leash at all times.

But most of all enjoy, it is wonderful camping with your pets

[horsnaround]

I take all my dogs load up the horses and go. Some get kenneled in the car and others will lay in the backseat. I do keep them on leashes or in my big plastic pen when at campgrounds if lots of other campers. At times our camping group will have a total of ten dogs. We have been lucky that they all get along. We also take them hiking they love it. Just keep all shots updated and be aware of bigger dogs and small children camping near as everyone thinks they can run right up to your dogs and pick them up.
Happy Camping

[Foster Mom]

I have a harness for mine that the seatbelt goes through and holds her place. She also does not like to be kenneled in the car so this was the best option for us to keep her safe in case of an accident or hard brake..