How do you do a long car ride with a dog in the summer?

[Anonymous]

I have a 6-8 hour drive to make with my dog tomorrow. The person who was supposed to go with me can't make it. Any suggestions on how to handle stopping for a bathroom break, etc, when it is too hot to leave the dog alone in the car?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Leave the windows open and tie his leash somewhere in the car. Or tie his leash somewhere outside the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Leave the windows open and tie his leash somewhere in the car. Or tie his leash somewhere outside the car.

Could someone drive off with him if you left him outside at a rest stop?

[Anonymous]

I like the idea, but I will have suitcases in the car that could get stolen if the windows are open. I should have mentioned that. Also, the dog gets very vocal when she is left alone in the car (even if I am within eye sight, such as dropping something off at Goodwill), and gets local and panicky if she is tied up outside of a store (even if we can see each other through the window).

[Anonymous]

*vocal, not local

[Anonymous]

We try to do them overnight. Also you can get sedatives from the vet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 6-8 hour drive to make with my dog tomorrow. The person who was supposed to go with me can't make it. Any suggestions on how to handle stopping for a bathroom break, etc, when it is too hot to leave the dog alone in the car?

Thanks!

How long are the bathroom breaks? I can't imagine it would be an issue for 5-10 minutes if the car was nice and cool beforehand, especially if you can find some shade to park in.

[Anonymous]

Tie the dog to the roof a la Seamus Romney.

[Anonymous]

If the car ride is 6 hours, there's really only 1 stop, right? Pull into a gas station in the shade, and go as quickly as possible. Five minutes will be fine.

I have crate fans I use for summer time too.

[Anonymous]

Find a Petsmart or Petco along the way and use their restroom?

[Anonymous]

We usually loop the lease around a light post or something in the shade with a bowl of water right behind our car. Run in, pee, grab to go food and head back out to the dog. She just lays in the shade.

[Anonymous]

Get off at an exit. Find a McD's that has a bathroom accessible through a side door - easy to find. Most fast food restaurants have a set-up like this. Take the dog inside, and into the bathroom with you.

Take a cooler with you with easy-to-eat things in it so you can drive fast.

Alternatively, map out the PetSmart's along the way and pee there. You can bring the dog in.

[Anonymous]

I have two keys for my car which allow me to lock it but leave it running and A/C on. No problems for pooch! DO THIS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two keys for my car which allow me to lock it but leave it running and A/C on. No problems for pooch! DO THIS!

That's a good idea. Plus is you're traveling it's always nice to have a backup key!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find a Petsmart or Petco along the way and use their restroom?

Great idea!!