Driving with a yorkie for the first time
 

I am planning to drive to NJ from Boston this weekend with my BF. My friend is going to Louisiana to visit her family, she is leaving me with a yorkie, Guinness, and a shih tzu, Kahlua. I just got my driver license last monday.. but i am gonna try to drive. Then of course my bf is going to be with me.. so.. who knows how it goes. I will see :)

I have a car seat for my yorkies. Make sure you have a closed carrier also just in case they get hyper. Since you are a new driver, don't try and drive with one on your lap. My babies are great in the car and sit in their car seat to look out the window. Good Luck!
Congrats on your drivers license! :)

OR - since you're a new driver - you can leave your little dogs at home for half and hour or so (a couple times) and just go driving..... without having to worry about the puppies being comfortable in the car.

Whatever you decide to do -- have fun!

Carol Jean

Katy travels in her cage (propped up to see out the window)

Thanks for the tip. They are usually good in the car. They usually sit on the passanger seat. So I think my bf will be holding them.. or one can sleep in his carrier on back seat since it's a long drive!! I am just excited to bring them to NJ. The place that I am staying has a Lhasa Apso!! So I will see how they get along!!!

I have been driving a lot. I had to fill gas already in less than one week....

Good Luck!! i hope yours is better behaved than charlie! He never sits still and shakes the whole way..it sucks riding with him!

My girls hate the car! Good luck to you!

Don't forget to bring treats for being good!

Have a good time, but I would really think about putting them in a crate for their own good. If, god forbid, you were in an accident they would get killed by the air bags. Being a new driver the fewer distractions the better. Dogs can make sudden moves that would distract you.

Have a safe journey and be sure to bring bottled water for the trip. Mine always seem incredibly thirsty and pant the whole way. Also bring leashes for potty breaks even if they do not normally run off. Good luck, be careful and obey the speed limit! (sound like your Mom :D )

Do you have a carrier, Michiko? It might be wise just in case they get antsy. On a long ride like that mine will usually sleep until you stop for a light or something. Then they get all nosy and have to look out the window to see what all the excitment is! :rolleyes:

Be safe, drive carefully, and if you can sneak away for a couple of hours on Saturday, you know where we'll be!!! :cool:

Good Luck! I am sure things will go great.

We have gone on a 2 day drive with keeley and he did fine, we kept him in his carrier on the back seat. We have a 3 day drive (UT-NC) coming up and we are planning on getting one of those seats that buckle in and are raised high enough to see out the window.

Buster throws up in long car rides...be prepared with pee pads and towels...never stop at a rest stop with the pups...not a healthy place for them to go.

have fun, drive careful!

get a car seat. we have a lookout carseat that saved my yorkie's life. we were on a road trip from florida back home to nj. we were in a major car accident and our car was totalled. the paramedics were amazed my dog was alive. they said most small dogs die from impact. they said if he was on my lap i would have crushed him. please.... get a car seat for them. accidents happen so fast. be safe.

I posted this before but it is still good information. Little dogs and little children - the rules are the same. This article was from the lookout seat company.

1. Distraction
Little dogs can provide much-needed distraction from the pressures of daily life. However, you don’t want your pet distracting you when you’re behind the wheel. The results could be disastrous--for you, your pet, and other motorists.

2. Impact
Pets without restraints are just like people without seatbelts: If you slam on the brakes or hit another car, they go flying and even the strongest person can’t hold back the amount of force generated, even at slow speeds.

3. Emergencies
A dog that has been in an accident is likely to be in shock, confused, and injured. They may not take kindly to rescue personnel without provocation. You can minimize this danger by properly restraining your dog. They can also be frightened and run from the accident scene. If you’re injured you can’t run after them.

4. Control
Even a well-trained dog can be distracted by a squirrel or cat. If your dog is properly tethered they can’t jump out the window or chase after another animal when you open your door.

5. Comfort
Imagine standing blindfolded in the back of a moving truck. That’s what the average car trip is like for your dog, a series of unexpected starts, stops, and turns. You can increase your dog’s security and comfort by giving them a boost up to see out the window and providing comfortable restraints.


Dos and Don’ts...

Do use restraints that offer mobility
Some restraints only allow your dog to remain in a sitting position. That might be fine for a quick trip to the post office, but over a longer haul your dog should be able to sit and lie down. Lookouts come with soft Sherpa fabric that give them a soft bed for hours of commuting.

Do properly fit your dog with the correct size restraint
The padded Car VestHarness (#202215) has a flexible fit and a soft cloth lining. The harness slips over their head with elastic fit at the collar and only two adjustable clip buckles at the girth on the dogs’ back for their comfort. The D-Ring attaches easily to the Lookout clasp and later to their lead when you take them out of the car. There’s also a loop on the harness for seatbelt attachment when your Lookout isn’t available.

Do have an I.D. tag on your dog at all times when traveling
You never want them to get away from you, but if they do be sure your cell phone number and address appear on their I.D. tag.

Don’t put your dog in a crate or cage
In an accident a crate or cage will go flying through the air just like an unrestrained dog. If the crate itself is secured, your dog may hit against the interior walls with potentially lethal force.
Don’t let them hang their head out the window without eye protection Although a dog may love to have the wind in their face, an animal can suffer eye damage and even vision loss from road debris and insects. We recommend Doggles Safety Eyewear for your little dog whenever you’re on the road. They’ll look forward to wearing them if they’re know they’re going for a ride with you