When left to his own devices at home, Harley the Dog curls up in one of his favorite napping places and contentedly snoozes away. If we’ve given him a chew stick (he loves these by Free Range Naturals
But harness the little guy up for car travel and he’s nothing but stress. Spare me your lectures (it’s in bold because I mean it, spare me) on the potential horrors that will meet my dog because he’s on my lap or tucked down on the floor by my feet on the passenger side. The current goal is to get from A to B without said pup dropping dead from a stress induced heart attack.
Poor guy. We’re working up to it — he’s harnessed in town and the trips are too short for him to really get overwrought. But half an hour on the interstate, he loses his composure. We wonder if he doesn’t think he’s about to be dumped, again, and that’s why he’s so tweaky. Next up, experimenting with Rescue Remedy; maybe that will help him chill.
Still, this second adventure — our first was a five hour drive to Eugene, Oregon — went much, much better. Tucked into his bed at my feet, Harley alternated between napping and fixing me with his root beer colored eyes — I figure he was saying “Are we there yet?” I put a t-shirt on him because not only is he absurdly cute in it, but I was hoping to contain some of his stress shedding. It helped, though I regret not keeping a lint roller
We stayed at another Airbnb studio cottage, this one in Portland’s Mt. Tabor neighborhood, about three miles due east of downtown. (I search for “pets allowed” under amenities and I email the hosts to confirm that dogs are okay.) We liked the easy parking and the nice neighborhood stuff nearby. (Tabor Bread has serious Euro-style carbs and the toast is only two dollars, compared to San Francisco’s four dollar toast). Harley’s needs are so basic; he also liked the quiet streets and, bonus, he had a good greeting bark with Charley, the hosts’ dog. As long there’s no heavy traffic nearby and plenty of things to smell, Harley’s happy to hand out a five star rating.
The weather was vile most of our visit so I was glad I had packed a crappy old towel. I keep two by the back door at home so I can dry H-dog off after our walks, but on our first overnight, I forgot to pack one and ended up sacrificing one of Harley’s blankets as a landing pad.
This was a short visit — just one night to join family for dinner — but it was a good second training run for all of us. We’re making good progress; it may be ambitious, but I have high hopes he’ll be truly road ready by summer. High hopes we both be ready; I’d sure like to take him on some bigger adventures.
§
Harley’s Road Trip Packing List, v1.0
- Food and dishes
- Blankets
- Dog crate
- Bed
- Seat-belt harness
- Leash and harness for walks
- Weather appropriate clothing
- Towel
- Lint roller
- Bottled water
- Treats — training treats, chew sticks, a toy or two
When the Noble pup (Nobley Wan Canobley) came to live with us, he was terrified when riding in vehicles. As in green frothing at the mouth and vomiting terrified. Tried several things to calm him and our vet ended up prescribing something that worked (don’t remember the name, but it was a play on the word serenity). We used this for a couple of months along with driving to some of his favorite places to build up good associations. That was several years ago and, though I can’t say he is ever thrilled to get in the car, he is calm and froth free.
Nobely wan Canobley. Man. That’s good work.
Luckily, we’re spared frothing and puking. But it’s so clear he’s stressed — we think it’s the noise more than anything, he hates traffic. Mozart helps, as does Vivaldi, he’s not so big into rock and roll which is too bad because that’s better road trip music. I genuinely think practice will help — he used crouch behind me or run for the bushes when a car came by while we were out walking, now he’s as likely to stop and watch as anything. If he does that, I give him scratchies or treats, but sometimes, if he’s In the Dog Walking Zone, he just keeps going.
Patience and time. Whew.
I’ve heard very good things about ThunderCoats, they kind of hug the dog while they wear it, double duty holding the fur to his body instead of yours, mebbe too? Rescue Remedy rocks! I dose, dog, cat, self, during extensive fireworks. Soon enough you will carry a stack of ‘dog towels’ in the car at all times, one never knows when the pooches will go swimming, mudding, the Spot Wash at Marymoor, and need a towel. Think Hitchhikers Guide!
Llelo has never been the road warrior that Gus was, but thankfully he’s good for curling up and napping. Though when I smell we are going through cow country I roll the window down so he can get extra sniffing.
I’m going to have to change my catch phrase “I’m like a dog–I love to go riding.” (Because I do love road trips even though Harley clearly doesn’t yet.)
Phobias. We all has ’em.
Trips with dogs are tough! My girlfriend was able to get her therapist friend to write her a note that her dog was her service animal, so she can travel with him on planes.
Funny thing is, he’s much more afraid of everything than she is, so he’s usually terrified and cowering the whole time. I’m sure people are wondering what kind of service dog he really is…