Traveling with a Newf ... tips please!

blaue_augen

blaue_augen

New member
We have decided to definitely move from Colorado to New Jersey. It was still up in the air as of last week, and I'm pretty sure we are leaving next week (I am apparently a spur of the moment kind of girl ... or else I'm just crazy ... I'm leaning towards crazy, or I will be crazy soon from the stress of it all ... )

Anyway, it's about and 1800 mile drive. We'll have three kids and one 16 month old Suki in the car. I plan on stopping in Chicago for a day of no driving and visiting my sister and then spending two days not driving in Ohio with my parents. I have a few ideas of things to help entertain the kids, but how oh how do you keep a dog happy in the car for what will feel like a million years?

All I can come up with is lots of stops, but if we stop too much, we'll never get there.

Thank you!!!


PS I just wanted to add that New Jersey is beautiful, at least the little part I saw. And everyone spoke normally! And I'm sorry I had such a bad impression on NJ!
 
M

mike clayton

New member
The very first thing I would do is to start feeding him or her some ginger snaps...
one or two a day and then when you are 3 days from leaving start to increase it ..4 -5 -6 a day ...then 3-4 the day of the move 1 hour before getting in the car ..the rest is optional
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
I'd do the ginger snaps if he gets car sick. Why not get a kong, fill it with goodies to keep him busy? He will sleep a lot, like newfs always do so I wouldn't worry too much about entertainment. I'd take water from home so he won't be drinking different water all the way and get an upset tummy. I hope you plan for him to travel in a crate. If you are in an accident he will be safer plus he cannot hope out unexpectedly and get lost or hit by a car. I'd take plenty of wet wipes or paper towel to moisten then wipe his paws after each rest stop. Dogs get most diseases from feces - licking paws after stepping in it - so cleaning paws is a good thing. I'd also trim the hair on the bottom is his paws before leaving so the paws will be easier to keep clean.
 
Alaskan Hank

Alaskan Hank

New member
When we got Hank at 10 weeks, we picked him up in OR and drove home to Alaska. We took nine days to do it. You're right, lots of stops, but they were quick. Be aware of where you stop, bug-wise... Once we stopped some place with lots of biting bugs, miserable for everyone.... Keep the bags and treats handy. I also found wet wipes invaluable. Our first day he rode in crate, in the back of the truck, but he seemed a little off that night, so we kept him in the cab with us the next day. After, that he was fine. I'd have a nice towel for cuddling with and a couple new, non- food toys to hand out when boredom strikes. We carried a gallon jug of water with his bowl for easy and quick water breaks. Those are my tips. Good luck with your move!!!
 
Milliejb

Milliejb

New member
First off.... YIPPPEE!!! Another newfie for our beach playdates! We have lots of fun activities to do here with dogs and Millie and I will happily be your tour guides once we get through this darn knee recovery!
As for advice, wow, that is a long time and the only thing I can think is when Millie and I went to Ocean City (4hrs) I bought her toys just for the trip. New toys, just as you would probably do for the kids. Something new will keep her interested longer. Safe travels to all :)
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
Another thing. Many people will advise you to avoid rest stops. Which you most likely will not be able to avoid. You need to remember that other places you stop can be just as contaminated as everyone else may be avoiding rest stop if possible.
 
ElvisTheNewf

ElvisTheNewf

Active member
First things first - Where in Ohio will you be for two days?!?

We've only taken Elvis on day trips, and we try to stop where ever there is a safe place to walk him around. Sometimes it's a rest stop, other times it's been gas stations that have grassy areas.
 
DAWNMERIE

DAWNMERIE

Active member
So happy your coming out here
As Jessica said, we'd be thrilled to have another on the real Jersey Shore gatherings.
 
takemebacktotulsa

takemebacktotulsa

New member
What about getting the kids to teach Suki tricks on the long drive? It might occupy everyone for a little while. We just started clicker training Willis (using the clicker to teach hold for water training primarily) but I've been using it to teach him "touch" and working on other tricks. Suki wouldn't necessarily have to be moving around to be learning tricks so it might be great for a long drive.

I would move to NJ in a heartbeat based on the beach photos and friendly newf owners I've met through this site. I have a feeling you will love it there! Congrats and good luck with the move.
 
L

Linzi00

New member
Jeannie said:
I'd do the ginger snaps if he gets car sick. .
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What's the deal with ginger snaps? As you all know I have a very long car trip with a puppy coming up and have fingers crossed that car sickness won't be an issue ---- but I am trying to be prepared.
 
blaue_augen

blaue_augen

New member
Thanks for all the great ideas everyone! I will find some ginger snaps, I'm sure Suki will love them. She's done great on 1 hour trips, so I'm hoping she'll be ok on a 10 million hour trip too! And a new new toys are a good idea, as well as something to stuff in the kong. And the kids teaching her tricks is a great idea!

How do you guys fit crates into your cars? I wish our would fit. Even if it would fit in the car, I'd have to fold down a row of seats and then I'd have to leave a child behind! :(

ElvisTheNewf said:
First things first - Where in Ohio will you be for two days?!?
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My parents live near Youngstown. Luckily they are really good sports about having Suki in their dog free house. They love her (and me!)!

YorkvilleNewfie said:
Dear New Jersey,

Stop sucking up all the Newfies and Newfie people!

Please and thank you,

Kristen M.
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Kristen, it is called "Newf Jersey" for a reason! When I first came to this sight and I introduced myself in a welcome thread, I loved that people said they were from "newf jersey" ... and soon i can say that too!

Milliejb said:
First off.... YIPPPEE!!! Another newfie for our beach playdates! We have lots of fun activities to do here with dogs and Millie and I will happily be your tour guides once we get through this darn knee recovery!
Click to expand...
Suki would love for Mille to be her tour guide! But Suki will try and play, so we'll wait until she is nice and healed!

I'm really excited for a newfie beach day, I love seeing the photos from those!
 
robertjt

robertjt

New member
Happy to hear!!! Does Suki like to chew? Maybe antlers or a marrow bone. Scuba loves them. Hoping we get to meet you and Suki soon!! Safe travels.
 
Bojie

Bojie

New member
I made the reverse trip you're doing, moving from NJ to CO pulling a uhaul. It was actually much easier for Bojie (at the time we didn't have Riggs) than it was for the humans, and we only stopped once at a hotel during that trip. Since then, we've made that drive 2 more times and gone straight through with two dogs and it's been a piece of cake without stopping to spend the night anywhere. The dogs got out for breaks when we got gas, and that's about it. Keep bottled water and a water bowl in the car, blankets or towels, her food easily accessible with a food bowl, poop bags, and treats. Suki is so laid back, I'm sure you'll have no problem. Let me know if I can help you with places to go in NJ! Glad you got a great impression:) It is a great state with great people. You're kids are going to LOVE going to the ocean! And so will Suki!
 
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mudji

mudji

New member
I used to drive from SC to ME by myself with 2 newfs. I never found it a problem. When you needed to stop so did they. I was able to lock the car with the car running, so I never had to worry about leaving the dogs in the heat when I needed to stop myself. I had crates for the hotel rooms as they do not want them there by themselves. I also made sure I had rooms in the back of any hotel, so there would be less disruptions when I went out for dinner.

With regard to crates in the car, my car was not big enough to have the crates up in it. So, I had purchased "Ruff Rider" harnesses for each of them. They are a harness that can be attached to the seat belt and will belt them in. I used them all the time until mudji decided to chomp on his. They are great. When my mom and I went to Savannah for the SENC Christmas parade, Angus wanted to sit in the front seat, so we let him. I drew the line at driving through Washington DC traffic with him in the front seat, but he sat there most of the way through NC and VA. I hitched the seat belt through the harness and off we went.

Another thing that someone may have mentioned, make sure they can "do their business" on command. Very important when you are traveling or in a hurry. Some key word should spark it, so you don't have to wait forever! That said, mudji was always one that had to walk over every inch of lawn, several times, before he picked "his" spot. LOL..

Just my $.02 worth...
Good luck with the move...
hannah
 
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