Road Trips with Basenjis

[dmcarty]

Riding free in a vehicle and riding with a harness.

For those of you that do not remember this or the people involved. There was an accident with a full size van and it's attached travel trailer that got hit with some high winds and rolled. 3 adults 1 child and lot's of senjis and 2 malmutes. All the dogs were in crates (kennel aire to be exact) and the crates were bungied down. All humans were wearing their seatbelts.

The only injury was an adult shoulder that got whacked when it hit the one childs childseat. The dogs suffered 1 torn toenail. No imagine that with a dog loose in a vehicle - the dog would be dead AND perhaps when the doggy projectile was flung forward - you would be too - killed by your own dog. Now imagine the dog in a harness hanging in the air upside down neck or back broken by the impact.

Folks I don't care how much they carry on you should have your dogs in a crate when you are traveling. They are not humans they are not playing car bingo - they our both our treasured companions but also our responsibility. You need to work with your dogs until you find a combination that works (like go in a crate and stop and the Dairy Queen - that works for me :))

Please crate your dogs AND tie down your crates.

Sorry - off my soapbox now.

[markusa59mn]

My Luxor has gone some 160,000 miles with me in trucks and other vehicles. He settles down after a couple hours, but I try to keep him awake so he's as tired as me at the end of a long drive. We're leaving for Fla. next week and will be looking for boarding in Austin, TX and Miami, FLA so dad can get out for some fun!

[crystalncody]

So would you suggest the crate be in the front seat or in the back? The reason I ask is that I am moving in less than 2 weeks. I drive an SUV, but pretty much everything I own is going to be packed up in the back, so not only will it be cramped, but in the front he won't be as hot, which is something else that I worry about. Is there any danger in having his crate strapped into the front seat?

[dmcarty]

'If' you do the front seat - make sure that the crate is secure and disconnect the airbag. I would always opt for the back but sure understand sometimes there is no option.

[Rita Jean]

I second the air bag disconnect. I hope you have a very very safe trip but if it was to go off your B could get hurt more by the air bag then the accident. Be safe.

Rita Jean

[crystalncody]

I didn't even think about the airbag! I will try to pack everything in with his crate as close to the front as possible while still in the back. I have enough luggage and boxes that his crate should be secure, but I'll see about some bungee cords just in case. I'll just try to do a lot of switching around to see how to get him in the car as safe as possible. Hopefully he will not have to ride in the front.

[lvoss]

Can you situate the crate so it opens toward the rear passenger door and then pack around it? My husband always packs our vehicles by figuring out how where the crates need to be for the dogs and then packing everything else around those. Don't ask me how he manages to get everything in but he does.

[crystalncody]

I drive a sport SUV, so it's only a 2 door. I think I am just going to put his crate where I think it needs to be, probably just behind the passenger seat, then pack around him.

[renaultf1]

@crystalncody:

I drive a sport SUV, so it's only a 2 door. I think I am just going to put his crate where I think it needs to be, probably just behind the passenger seat, then pack around him.

That sounds like a good plan especially if ventilation is an issue. One thing I do in my car (if carrying a full load and only 1 crate because the venting/ac isn't super strong) is put the crate so it is center to both seats, as close to the front as possible…that way some of the vents blow right into the crate. As well, I have access to the crate door so that I can get the dog out thru the front if need be. Then I just pack stuff on all sides of the crate. I use bungee cords to secure crates in my car. In the summer I use wire crates in the car and in the winter I use the plastic vari-kennels.

[dmcarty]

If air circulation is a concern - you can buy some crate fans at PetCo or PetsMart that run on batteries that help quite a lot.

Good luck in your move - I'm sure that because you are asking questions and getting opinions - you will figure out something that works for you both.

[crystalncody]

I'm worried about the heat/ventilation because lately it has been so hot here that Cody is miserable if he is in the car for more than 45 minutes, and this is going to be a 5 hour drive. Last year around this time, when I made the trip just to visit, the a/c really didn't help much. I think it's just the humidity in NC, it's horrible. I just want it to be as safe and as comfortable as possible for him.

renaultf1, situating his crate behind and between the seats sounds like the best bet. Thank you for the suggestion.

dmcarty, thanks, and I will definitely look into the fans.

[serenjane]

@serenjane:

When Seren Jane was a puppy we tried a few short trips, an hour or two, however she whined, drueled and jumped around the entire way. Crateing her was out of the question, she hurts herself. Perhaps I will try some anxienty drops and try her again.

Sorry folks, I 've been out of the country for a while. Seren Jane has been with my husband while I've been gone, and he doesn't do computer stuff. I missed all the latest on the "Basenji Forum"; I've got some catching up to do. She slept on my pillow every night I was away. She was so excited when I returned the other night she even wagged her tail a bit.

[Basenjimamma]

We are making a roadtrip in the beginning of August and we are traveling with two kids, three dogs, and three adults, in a Vilvo XC90. Needless tyo say it will be cramped but with all the cargo on top of the roof in a Thule box, kids in the third row seat, my mother and hubby in the front, I was actually thinking about going in the back seat with the dogs. My question is, what harnesses do y'all use. I have crates for all dogs but not the space so harness is the only way to go. We are going to be gone for a week so I don't want to leave our four legged kiddos at home. I looked at several different brands/options and can not make up my mind, do you have an input..
Much appreciated,

[dmcarty]

I don't have any insight to offer on that cause you all know - I'm a stickler on crates - but don't forget to find me at the Reliant Shows in Houston so you can see my Podengo babies - no room for any basenjis on the trip and heck their all so old anyway shoot my youngest B is 6 1/2.

[Basenjimamma]

I know I read you post and I understand, but if I had to do one less evil thing , then I rather harness, as supposed to not bring them with us. It is vacation time…for all of us.
When are you coming to Reliant? I can't wait to see you and those little, longlegged (I imagine ?)Podengos..Be ready for the heat, we are in the low 100's daily, so it is miserable..gotta love it, althought I don't

[lvoss]

Where are you going for vacation? If you are going to be staying at hotels/motels you will need to have room for crates so they have place to be when you go out to eat.

[lvoss]

I use crates but I know people with large dogs and smaller cars that use a seatbelt harness similar to this one, http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2755199

It is important that you check the fit of any harness you are thinking of using. One problem with basenjis and harnesses is that they are usually between sizes.

[Basenjimamma]

Actually we have rented a house in Rockport, TX with 2 acre fenced in yard, a 250' private fishing pier so it is on the water, which will be interesting to see. I am bringing Otis' room, i.e his crate but fold it down during travel. The other dogs don't get crated.
The harness you posted is the one I have looked at, and yes I realize the sizing is an issue. I guess I need to bring him in and try different sizes and style out. Thanks for your input.

[lvoss]

Before you turn the dogs loose be very careful to inspect the house and yard to make sure it is truly secure and that there is nothing they can get into that may harm them.

[Basenjimamma]

I will, I already have that in my head. I don't want them to get hurt nor do I want the property to get damaged..Thanks for the suggestion, though.