Car travel tips - YorkieTalk.com Forums

tobyfan · 03-22-2007, 10:30 AM

Im planning on driving from Okla to Penn in about a month. Driving..It will just be us two...Me and Bob..see photo left..

Just wondering what tips any of you have on making a trip that long with him. He usually does pretty well in the car but this is going to be quite a trip. I plan on driving somewhere around 12 hrs the first day and then spending the night in a motel then approx 12 hrs to our destination. I think he should sleep quite a bit but then after we stop to spend the night he may think we need to stay up all night? I dont know. I plan on packing a cooler with our food and drinks and stopping at roadside rests for the bathroom. Any tips?

patty58 · 03-22-2007, 10:51 AM

Murfee travels with us all the time. He has about 37000 miles on him. We have a bed on the consol between our seats. We stop every several hours to go to the bathroom and walk for a few minutes. He does sleep quite a bit and looks out the window some. We really don't have a problem with him sleeping at night. He is an awesome traveler but he has been at it since he was about 8 weeks old and he is 3 now. Good Luck

Doodlebug · 03-22-2007, 10:58 AM

We keep a few little doggie blankets/small afghans on our bed for the babies. When we travel we take them along and put them on the bed just like at home. When they sleep on them they are so calm and relaxed. The first time we traveled we didn't take them and they were so nervous and upset they paced and worried. It was a trick that worked wonders for us.

tobyfan · 03-22-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

We keep a few little doggie blankets/small afghans on our bed for the babies. When we travel we take them along and put them on the bed just like at home. When they sleep on them they are so calm and relaxed. The first time we traveled we didn't take them and they were so nervous and upset they paced and worried. It was a trick that worked wonders for us.

That sounds like a perfect Idea!! I will bring his blanket and of course plenty of his toys...I cant wait!! Our big adventure..

ps.
I LOVE Teddy Bears face!!! he is really happily smiling in that one photo! Adorable...!

Doodlebug · 03-22-2007, 11:22 AM

THANKS!!! Have a great trip!!!

I95 · 03-22-2007, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the traveling tips. My family travels a great deal so it's good to know that yorkies don't really have a hard time.

yorkieusa · 03-22-2007, 12:27 PM

We never had any trouble traveling. Just another yorkie adventure.

I would avoid roadside rest stops especially if it is just you and Bob. You just never know what you are walking into. Go to stations/restaurants...

myteddybear · 03-22-2007, 12:46 PM

We traveled to Alaska from Florida 2 years ago with a rescued beagle. She had a spot in the back and was very well behaved during the day while we drove but once we got into the hotel and we wanted to sleep boy was she ready to go! Ran around like a crazy and was fidgity all night long. LOL

Luckily I don't think a Yorkie would be the same.

We are going to be moving to Georgia and will be driving with Teddy and my golden. They are both car babies already but I hope they do as well with being in the car for 12 hours a day. We also have some vaction things planned during the trip so it will be at least a 15 day trip. I'm not so worried about Teddy as I think he will do fine...I am really more worried about Chloe.

I Think the blanket idea is perfect, I will definately do that!

Kim

Meg · 03-22-2007, 02:53 PM

We have gone on 3 cross country trips with Keeley and countless day trips.

We have found that having a car seat to strap him into has helped SO MUCH! He can't get into anything and we don't have to worry about him. Especially since it is going to be only you two you may want to think about getting one, so you don't have to worry about watching him while driving.

We take water, food and treats. And stop for him (and us) to stretch our legs every few hours.

In his car seat we put a blanket he loves and a few stuffed animals to snuggle up to.

*Also, if you do get a seat-- try and get him used to it by driving around town so when you do go he'll already know what the seat is all about.

LoveMyGirlz · 03-22-2007, 02:58 PM

Well you've gotten great tips already! My Vixxen travels with us all the time and she does fine. Everytime she feels the car pulling off the freeway (she can tell when it slows down!) She gets up and runs to a window (if we unhook her)!! She can't wait to "get gas" cause she gets to explore! When we arrive to our hotel, she still sleeps just fine as well! Just frequent gas/potty/food and stretch stops work!

RowdysMom · 03-22-2007, 03:41 PM

Everyone has GREAT tips!!! I would add to watch the ground ALL THE TIME when you have your baby on the leash to go potty at gas stations, rest stops, etc. There is SO MUCH trash on the ground. Hopefully, your boy is so picky, so that he wouldn't pick anything up off the ground. I have one who won't eat anything and one that might eat anything - so I have to watch him like a hawk.

Mine sleep most of the time in the car so they are very easy travelers.

Oh, and you will have to eat lots of fast food as we don't like to leave them in the car to go into a restaurant. The only time we do it is, if it is cool and if we can park where we can see the truck at all times while we are eating. We also carry food and eat lots of picnics!

tobyfan · 03-23-2007, 07:20 AM

Thanks for all the great tips!!! I hadnt considered not stopping at the rest areas but you might just be right..I was thinking about stopping at the welcome stations into each state so I could take Bobs picture beside the states signs but maybe a busy station would be best..Also I dont plan on eating in any restaurant because I wont leave him alone at all..We are packing a cooler...My family thinks I need to get a crate of some sort but I dont know about that..He doesnt have a crate and I took him to the groomer once and he went crazy when they put him in one..It was really sad...We'll see. I'll pack his blanket and some of his toys for the trip and Im sure we'll have a great time..I usually fly but I couldnt imagine being away from him for two weeks and my husband said your going to have to take him because he will whine the whole time your gone..Probably just like I would if I had to be without him...

JPop & Taz 2 · 03-23-2007, 08:15 AM

If you don't want to do the carseat thing, I use the harness that has an attachment that hooks into the seatbelt lock. One end hooks just like our seat belts and the other end hooks to their harness. You can adjust the length. You can get them on ebay for about 10.00 I use these for my babies and they do just fine. They safer than being "free" in the car, yet have some room to move. Good luck!

tobyfan · 03-23-2007, 08:19 AM

I think I'll order that! Thank you...

missbetsy56 · 03-23-2007, 08:38 AM

We just came back from a trip to florida and i had purchased one of those snoozer car seat's that she could look out the window yet be straped into and she just loved it if she wasn't sleeping she was looking out the window. It was worth every penny.

03-22-2007, 10:30 AM	#1
tobyfan YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 279	Car travel tips Im planning on driving from Okla to Penn in about a month. Driving..It will just be us two...Me and Bob..see photo left.. Just wondering what tips any of you have on making a trip that long with him. He usually does pretty well in the car but this is going to be quite a trip. I plan on driving somewhere around 12 hrs the first day and then spending the night in a motel then approx 12 hrs to our destination. I think he should sleep quite a bit but then after we stop to spend the night he may think we need to stay up all night? I dont know. I plan on packing a cooler with our food and drinks and stopping at roadside rests for the bathroom. Any tips?

03-22-2007, 10:58 AM	#3
Doodlebug ♥Love My Puppies!♥ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: US Posts: 5,786	We keep a few little doggie blankets/small afghans on our bed for the babies. When we travel we take them along and put them on the bed just like at home. When they sleep on them they are so calm and relaxed. The first time we traveled we didn't take them and they were so nervous and upset they paced and worried. It was a trick that worked wonders for us. __________________ RIP My Sweet Darling Angel Daisy 08/09/03 - 10/02/15, RIP My Sweet Baby Boy Teddy Bear 02/01/04 - 02/11/16 Photos HERE

03-22-2007, 11:22 AM	#5
Doodlebug ♥Love My Puppies!♥ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: US Posts: 5,786	THANKS!!! Have a great trip!!! __________________ RIP My Sweet Darling Angel Daisy 08/09/03 - 10/02/15, RIP My Sweet Baby Boy Teddy Bear 02/01/04 - 02/11/16 Photos HERE

03-22-2007, 12:27 PM	#7
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	We never had any trouble traveling. Just another yorkie adventure. I would avoid roadside rest stops especially if it is just you and Bob. You just never know what you are walking into. Go to stations/restaurants... __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

03-22-2007, 12:46 PM	#8
myteddybear Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cambridgeshire, England Posts: 1,208	We traveled to Alaska from Florida 2 years ago with a rescued beagle. She had a spot in the back and was very well behaved during the day while we drove but once we got into the hotel and we wanted to sleep boy was she ready to go! Ran around like a crazy and was fidgity all night long. LOL Luckily I don't think a Yorkie would be the same. We are going to be moving to Georgia and will be driving with Teddy and my golden. They are both car babies already but I hope they do as well with being in the car for 12 hours a day. We also have some vaction things planned during the trip so it will be at least a 15 day trip. I'm not so worried about Teddy as I think he will do fine...I am really more worried about Chloe. I Think the blanket idea is perfect, I will definately do that! Kim __________________ Please help save Lennox! http://www.savelennox.co.uk/ Let your voice be heard so Lennox can go home

03-22-2007, 10:51 AM	#2
patty58 Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: texas Posts: 5,272	Murfee travels with us all the time. He has about 37000 miles on him. We have a bed on the consol between our seats. We stop every several hours to go to the bathroom and walk for a few minutes. He does sleep quite a bit and looks out the window some. We really don't have a problem with him sleeping at night. He is an awesome traveler but he has been at it since he was about 8 weeks old and he is 3 now. Good Luck

03-22-2007, 12:11 PM	#6
I95 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MD now... soon FL Posts: 4	Thanks for the traveling tips. My family travels a great deal so it's good to know that yorkies don't really have a hard time.

03-22-2007, 02:53 PM	#9
Meg YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 671	We have gone on 3 cross country trips with Keeley and countless day trips. We have found that having a car seat to strap him into has helped SO MUCH! He can't get into anything and we don't have to worry about him. Especially since it is going to be only you two you may want to think about getting one, so you don't have to worry about watching him while driving. We take water, food and treats. And stop for him (and us) to stretch our legs every few hours. In his car seat we put a blanket he loves and a few stuffed animals to snuggle up to. Also, if you do get a seat-- try and get him used to it by driving around town so when you do go he'll already know what the seat is all about. __________________ Meg* & Keeley I love my little Yorkie boy! www.dogster.com/?169319

03-22-2007, 02:58 PM	#10
LoveMyGirlz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 1,908	Well you've gotten great tips already! My Vixxen travels with us all the time and she does fine. Everytime she feels the car pulling off the freeway (she can tell when it slows down!) She gets up and runs to a window (if we unhook her)!! She can't wait to "get gas" cause she gets to explore! When we arrive to our hotel, she still sleeps just fine as well! Just frequent gas/potty/food and stretch stops work! __________________ God Bless our troops R.I.P. Sweet Lexxi Girl - you were taken too soon, we love you always Vixxen ,Truffles , Gemma Lexxi and their mommy Trina- Girls Rule!

03-22-2007, 03:41 PM	#11
RowdysMom Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,624	Everyone has GREAT tips!!! I would add to watch the ground ALL THE TIME when you have your baby on the leash to go potty at gas stations, rest stops, etc. There is SO MUCH trash on the ground. Hopefully, your boy is so picky, so that he wouldn't pick anything up off the ground. I have one who won't eat anything and one that might eat anything - so I have to watch him like a hawk. Mine sleep most of the time in the car so they are very easy travelers. Oh, and you will have to eat lots of fast food as we don't like to leave them in the car to go into a restaurant. The only time we do it is, if it is cool and if we can park where we can see the truck at all times while we are eating. We also carry food and eat lots of picnics! __________________ Rex & Rowdy's Mom Last edited by RowdysMom; 03-22-2007 at 03:44 PM.

03-23-2007, 07:20 AM	#12
tobyfan YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 279	Thanks for all the great tips!!! I hadnt considered not stopping at the rest areas but you might just be right..I was thinking about stopping at the welcome stations into each state so I could take Bobs picture beside the states signs but maybe a busy station would be best..Also I dont plan on eating in any restaurant because I wont leave him alone at all..We are packing a cooler...My family thinks I need to get a crate of some sort but I dont know about that..He doesnt have a crate and I took him to the groomer once and he went crazy when they put him in one..It was really sad...We'll see. I'll pack his blanket and some of his toys for the trip and Im sure we'll have a great time..I usually fly but I couldnt imagine being away from him for two weeks and my husband said your going to have to take him because he will whine the whole time your gone..Probably just like I would if I had to be without him...

03-23-2007, 08:15 AM	#13
JPop & Taz 2 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: LA Posts: 989	If you don't want to do the carseat thing, I use the harness that has an attachment that hooks into the seatbelt lock. One end hooks just like our seat belts and the other end hooks to their harness. You can adjust the length. You can get them on ebay for about 10.00 I use these for my babies and they do just fine. They safer than being "free" in the car, yet have some room to move. Good luck!

03-23-2007, 08:19 AM	#14
tobyfan YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 279	I think I'll order that! Thank you...

03-23-2007, 08:38 AM	#15
missbetsy56 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: East Freedom, Pa Posts: 367	We just came back from a trip to florida and i had purchased one of those snoozer car seat's that she could look out the window yet be straped into and she just loved it if she wasn't sleeping she was looking out the window. It was worth every penny.