What I bring for 2 dogs on a multi-day/week long trip...
Food & Medication
Dog Bowls (3) **
Refillable Water Bottle**
Refillable Gallon of Water **
Dog Food (in Sealable Container) **
Medication in Ziploc Bag
I recommend coloring/putting stickers on your dog's meds. As someone who also has daily medication, that is administered pre-coffee, dummy proofing is a requirement.
Safety & Wellness
Poop bags**
I love having a couple rolls, and one attached to a door handle for easy grabbing
Hand sanitizer/sanitizing wipes for yourself **
Poor or distracted hand-eye coordination while picking up poop without a sink nearby is devastating
Battery powered fan
1 or 2 Foldable Crates (especially for overnights).
Dog Beds (2) and/or Blankets
Bath Towels (2) **
Paper Towels
Medical Wrap
Brush/Comb
Identification & Equipment
Proof of Rabies/ Vaccinations
Bonus points for these documents being on your phone and easy to access.
Flat Collar or Fixed Martingale that cannot close completely, with clear ID on the collars.
I will never leave a slip on my dog if they are in the crate (it's not equipment I generally use anymore, but for those out here who do, I needed to include this disclaimer). It is unsafe to have on them, especially if we're traveling on the high way and cannot easily or safely pull over.
Harness / Additional Equipment
Unless my dog is wearing a seatbelt harness, I do not leave harnesses on my dog in the car, especially if they are riding in the crate.
Long line (15 - 30 ft)
Muzzle (if needed)
I also keep this accessible if I am traveling with a reactive dog.
Toys & Activity Items
Ball/Tug Toy (2-3 at least)
Cardboard rolls if I have the space
Dog Treats
Kongs or Toppls (2)
**Make sure these items are easy to reach in case of emergency.
Traveling with dogs is not something new for me! I'm writing this almost seven hours drive away from home, sitting in the house I grew up in, with my two dogs outside running around in a yard bigger than our apartment in Chicago. This is, at minimum, a yearly trip we make. Paired with a lot of trips to dog shows in my first job in high school, and having grown up in an enthusiastic midwest "it would only be 10 hours to drive" type of family, driving trips with dogs are second nature by now.
Since becoming a certified trainer, I've made multiple cross country trips with dogs in tow. Sometimes they're my crew, sometimes they are a client dog, and sometimes they are really large reactive German Shepherds. And I've loved every trip!
And I'm lucky that my husband likes car rides as much as I do, and has way more automobile knowledge than I have. We've dealt with changing plans, delays, and even had a car unexpectedly break down in the middle of the summer off of I-90. True nightmare fuel, especially if unprepared with a dog in the back. Thankfully, we were prepared!
The moment I think "psh that won't happen" or "I won't need that" I know I'll be eating my words soon. So! I hope that the list I made above is helpful for anyone considering taking a trip with their dog, whether its just a couple hours or several days.
Is there anything that you travel with that you don't see on this list? Let me know!
And if you ever need a dog transported by car, and happen to live in the Midwest, let me know. I'm always on the look out for ways to make our dog's time traveling easier.
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