Long drive with pup - bad idea? Tips?

[cantthinkofanewnameatall]

I've only ever taken my dog on journeys up to 2 hours so far simply because I haven't needed to go further. When he is 8 months of age I am considering a 4.5 to 5 hour journey. There would just be me and dc, no dh to share the driving or stay with dog if dc need the loo (not keen on sending into service station gents loo alone with me waiting totally outside with the dog). In truth I'm dreading it and wondering if it's a stupid idea if the dog starts deciding to bark his head off in some huge motorway traffic jam.

Pup is very lively but always calms down in the car but for five hours?

What are long journeys like with your dogs? I guess I would need to stop once or twice to let him out for a wee and to stretch his legs but then the whole thing would take even longer!!

[insanityscratching]

We drove to the Isle of Wight with Eric last month (he's 9 months today) so five hours from home.We took Eric on a good walk before we set off and then we didn't stop. He had a pee when we got to the ferry and a good walk when we got to our holiday home. He was fine, slept most of the time tbh.

[throckenholt]

we have taken ours on 12 hours journeys. They always seem to go in to travel mode and happily sleep through it. If we stop at service stations we always park at the far end of the carpark (or in the shade if it is an option) and nip in to the loos quickly. As for wees for the dogs - we do stop but they often don't want to do much - one in particular will also barely drink or eat anything. They are fine and back to normal the next day.

Sometimes we find a location midway where we can take them for a quick run (woodland or similar).

[cantthinkofanewnameatall]

I really wouldn't have a problem with it with dh too. It's as much doing it on my own and managing. Sounds like he will probably just sleep then and the main problem will be loo and lunch breaks if we can't take him in the service station.

[moosemama]

It's totally doable with a bit of planning.

We tend to arrange pit stops at places of interest (castles etc) that dogs are welcome at. We stop, have our sandwiches and a flask of coffee and then get to use their loos instead of having to use service stations etc.

If you're concerned your dog won't settle for long enough, I'd highly recommend some Dorwest herbs valerian compound. We use it for ours when we go to Ireland and have a long drive to the ferry followed by just under 4 hours on the boat and they barely acknowledge us when we return to the car to disembark.

[moosemama]

Another option is to google pubs that allow dogs indoors and stop off for lunch and a toilet break there.

[Carpaccio]

Our dog is used to long drives, both with us and with my parents.

We try to give her a good run before the long trips so she's tired. She loves driving and will sleep most of the time.
Some nice chews that the dog loves also helps.

Whenever necessary we'll stop so she can stretch her legs and do her business. She usually lets us know when she wants to go out, so sometimes it's been after 4 hours, other times she's been fast asleep for 6-8 hours.

If it's not hot outside, we've been happy leaving her in the car while we've gone into service stations and so on (after taking her out for a wee) - but that's usually just for the longer drives. While driving, she's wearing her doggie seat belt (when she was smaller she would be in a crate).

She doesn't generally bark or whine in the car unless she needs a walk or wants a drink.