we are moving( driving) back to California to live closer to our family. Has any one moved with this amount of dogs and baby etc. can you give tips motels, crates etc anything you can think of we are moving in only a few months so I need all the preparation I can get I have never done this before and don't what to expect. I especially don't want to lose a spooked dog along the way

Hello. I am sad to say that I have a lot of experience in this department. My oldest dog is 11 and he has lived in 9 houses. All my moves have been in the same County and all with in 30 minuets of each other. Most moves have been due to the house I am in selling or the landlord taking a no pets police after another tenet moves and the place is trashed.

One thing that I have tried to do each time is give the dogs a temporary room. I put all their crates in it ( if you dogs are not crate trained start now ). They can be safe and out of the way. I don't move anything in it or put stuff away in there. It is the last room to get finished. I also do several yard checks to make sure they are secure. For the first week or so I act like all my dogs are new. Going outside on leash, sleeping in crates, ect. Then depending on how they act I start "living with them" . My pit is my oldest and walks into any house ready to live there, my pug is pretty good to but will eat anything she can get to that we are unpacking if she is was left out. My cattle dog has the hardest time. He is more effected by his environment. New neighbors or dogs have to prove that they deserve to be there. My puggle is the escaper so she is watched the most in the yard. They are all different and I am sure yours will be too.

I think the biggest thing is that moving is stressful for the people. I would not try to jump into training or put a lot of presser on your self. Find out where the good walking trails are and spend most of your time with your dogs on a relaxing walk. Invest in some challenge toy to keep them busy. And take one day at a time.

I also have three cats but I still think you trump that with your baby! Sorry but I have no advice for that one.

Good luck.

P.S. I live in San Luis Obispo County and am also close to Santa Maria just case you are coming my way.

Wow, I'm sorry, I have no experience with long distance moves, I just want to wish you a safe and uneventful trip.

For stopping All Motel 6s and Studio 6s take pets including large dogs. Get a copy of their book from one of the local ones and note the ones highlighted (probably in blue). Those are generally the better ones. Crates are definitely your best friend traveling with animals. Whatever your dogs are accustomed to will work but the airline type are safer than the regular wire crates in case of an accident. If you have a great deal of doggy equipment (grooming tables, ex-pens, etc) you might consider shipping some of it ahead. But keep their familiar beds and a few favorite toys to take with you. They'll be more secure that way. Funny thing is that it's very similar with children.

I often check this site before a long trip.

http://www.dogfriendly.com/

I also make up special tags with the dog's name and REWARD!! on them. The laminated luggage tags work well for that.

I put a small USB with all contact info on my dog's collar when I travel, phone, home adress, email, emergency other contacts, people trust from the areas I travel, I also mention a reward and that I will pay for all costs associated with getting my dog back to me....

Elizabeth, I believe it would be helpful to know what kind of vehicle you will be traveling in, i.e., small car, SUV, rented U-Haul, etc.? Will you be pulling any kind of trailer?

So it will be two adults and a baby in the vehicle, right? Plus the dogs. Please refresh my memory on the sizes of the two other dogs besides Izzy? Where is all your luggage, baby's supplies, dog food, etc. going to go?

Sorry let me clarify we will be traveling in two cars my sister in her small kia with her baby and the supplies we need and I will be driving in the suv 2007 saturn vue with my brother in law and the dogs along with a 5X8 uhaul cargo trailer hitched to it for what little things we are bringing with us. Izzy is my dog she is 36 pounds, my sister and brother in law owns the other two a 18 pound schnauzer and a 30 pound short legged mutt.

Koda http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv231/scrapsterule24/100_1514.jpg

Max http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv231/scrapsterule24/100_0816.jpg

Izzy picture below.

What I would like to know how to travel with them for ex put a harness on them and hook them to the seat belts or buying soft crates and squishing them in the back for the dogs etc as well as which are the best motels and how long to drive before breaks or to keep them amused etc any hints or tips
thanks for the info I have already recieved I am going to have all information for my dogs with me and pics as well as reward post in the case one does get spooked and gets away becaue of the new surroundings

I travel often with my dogs and I highly recommend crates. I personally use soft crates in my van...and when we stop, those crates are still "home" for the dogs. They love their crates

I also highly recommend crates.

I agree too that they come into the motel rooms and that they provide (I believe) a piece of familiarity/home, not to mention the security.

When does this happen?

One thing you can do in advance is to coordinate the phone numbers (preferably two on each, one for you and one for someone who always knows where you are) on the dogs' collars so no finder is ever calling a disconnected land line.

Another is to familiarize the dogs with whatever food you plan to use during the trip (not waiting until you leave). For example, if you decide on THK, or zip-open cans, I'd start putting them into the rotation in advance.

Another is to have a copy of their vet files with you.

I agree with Elaine about Motel 6. There are many (I have read that 70% of motel chains now offer at least some pet-friendly rooms), but I have read good comments on Motel 6 for price.


http://dogs.about.com/od/travel/a/travelwithdogs.htm