Top 3 Lessons We Learned Traveling Cross-Country With our Dogs 🐶 🚗

Spoiler: It wasn't just the humans who needed snacks and naps.

Traveling cross-country is an adventure on its own - but throw a couple of dogs in the mix, and it becomes a whole new level of chaos, cuddles, and learning curves. As we made our way from one coast to the other with our pups in tow, we quickly realized that our dogs weren't just passengers - they were full-blown road trip companions with needs, moods, and a lot of opinions! 

Here are the top three lessons we learned while road-tripping with our furry family members:

🐾 Routine is the Secret to a Calm Dog

No matter where we were -  backseat of the car, pet-friendly Airbnb or hotel, or rest area in the middle of nowhere - keeping a consistent routine worked wonders. Feeding them at the same times, offering regular walks, and sticking to their bedtime (yes, our dogs have a bedtime - just ask Oz) helped reduce anxiety and kept the pups and us feeling a little more "normal"

Tip: We used a travel dog food bag and travel water bottle and kept them in the close by with easy access to keep them fed and hydrated with ease. Bonus points too - we brought their favorite bowls from home - it's comforting and familiar.

💧 Hydration and Breaks Are Non-Negotiable

We stopped more often than if it were just us humans - but it made all the difference. Quick stretch-and-sniff breaks every 2-3 hours helped avoid restlessness (and backseat accidents). We kept the travel water bottle in the back seat and offered them water often. This was especially important since were traveling in the middle of the summer with temperatures exceeding 100°F. 

Some truck stops even had little fenced off pet areas - those were gold. We absolutely rated them on grass quality and poop bag availability, but also if they had separate areas for small dogs.

🐶 Dogs Make the Trip Better 

There were moments of barking, pacing, or refusing to eat in a new state. But there were so many more moments of pure joy - watching their ears bounce as they walked with excitement, seeing their tails wag at new smells, or snuggling up next to us after a long day on the road. Oz and Rocky turned this trip into something unforgettable. 

➕ Bonus Lessons to Share

🗝️ Planning is Key
Not all rest stops, hotels, or restaurants welcome pets. A little research goes a long way in avoiding "no dogs allowed" stress. We also mapped out Emergency Vets open 24 hours along the way. Thankfully we didn't have a need but knowing where they were ahead of time made for better peace of mind. 

🦮 Crating Keeps Them Safe
We used a crate for the boys. Yes it took up a little more room in the car, but their safety is a top priority. So this kept them safer - and prevented lap surfing on the highway.

🧘🏼‍♀️ Dogs are Surprisingly Adaptable
They adjusted quicker than we expected. As long as we stayed calm, they were calm. In a few incidences when our anxiety rose, we noticed a change in the boys. So being aware of this really helped keep us calmer too.

Final Thoughts

Moving cross-country was fun and stressful at times, but traveling with Oz and Rocky made the adventure more tolerable and we created lasting memories with the boys. Preparing for the trip kept them safe, us happy, and made the travels a success. Sure, it took more planning and patience, but traveling with them made every mile more meaningful. They reminded us to take breaks, stay curious, and celebrate the small stuff.

JC Designs is now calling San Diego home. We are finding our way around the city and settling in nicely. Stay tuned while we ramp up with new design releases and upcoming markets!