The trip is done. We pulled it out in 14 hours yesterday. Winston was good on the final stage; it's funny how naturally he's adjusted to going for rides. He learned to stick his nose out the window, to climb up front for air conditioning, and to hop in and out of the car. Today he has completely slid back into his regular routines--he saw a couple of friends in the park on our morning walk, and is sleeping by the fridge as usual.
If you're planning to go on a long trip with your dog, there are a few things I would recommend, based on this trip.
1. Know your dog. This goes without saying, but if you're going to ask an animal to ride for 12+hours in a confined space, really pay attention to his behavior. He'll tell you when he's thirsty, needs to stop, etc. Be aware if the backseat climate is different than the front as well, and be patient if he gets antsy. Also bring toys/treats. If you don't have a Kong, get one! Best toy ever.
2. Keep up your expectations. It was easy for us to relax more while we were away, since both our homes have yards and other animals. However, I think that the lack of routines was what led to our scare in TN (see previous post). After that we got a lot more strict again with our role as "pack leader", and saw a visible change. We should have been taking him on leashed walks more than we did as well. That habit is invaluable for mental discipline.
3. Be patient. Remember that your dog is in a foreign environment, so he can be anything from curious to scared. Just continue to offer gentle corrections, same as you would at your own home. If he rolls in poop, just wash him off. It's normal. ;)
Thanks again to our families for their hospitality and willingness to keep Winston as well!
No comments:
Post a Comment