Mac on Vacation

[LaRositaMonita]

Need just a little input/advice...but first let me set the stage.

For as many years as Colin could drive, he and his very closest friends from high school have been taking a week-long summer trip to Killington, Vermont, during the summer off-season to relax up in the mountains and just chill in the company of good friends. The trip has become a staple tradition for them, and has grown over the years. When I started dating Colin, I was invited along. I have had the complete pleasure of going on three wonderful Vermont trips. Traditionally the vacation has occurred during the 4th of July week (conveniently also the week of my birthday!), and while we take day trips to the Ben and Jerry's factory, the movies, a local hiking trail that leads to a very pretty lake, most of the week is spent just sunning ourselves, catching up on reading, playing video games, laughing with friends, and getting much-needed in a very spacious resort home.

Two summers ago, as a result of poor planning, certain guests being very inconsiderate, and a general change in attitude from the friend of Colin's who plans this trip every year, we had a bit of a falling out. Colin and his two very best friends wound up effectively banned from going on "the" Vermont trip, and we're all much better for it. That said, last summer was very sad, as it was the first in nearly ten years that our annual gathering didn't really take place. Thus, this summer, Colin and these two best friends are attempting to resurrect the trip, at a different vacation home, in mid-August.

The price is still just right and the timing is perfect - the week of August 11-18, when my grad classes and summer workshops will have ended but when school will still be a few weeks away. We found a rental house that accepts dogs. Basically...we're going on vacation! And Mac will be coming, too!

I am not too concerned about Mac on this trip, but any advice on taking him on a vacation this early will be appreciated. There will be about 8-10 people in the house, and he will rarely, if ever, be totally alone. We'll have had him for almost a month, and he'll be about 5 months old (20 weeks) when we go on the trip. I'm sure he won't be 100% housebroken yet, but if I can train the other houseguests well enough not watch him, I feel lie he should be fine. What do you guys think?

[manymuddypaws]

Mac will be just fine! Puppies are very adaptable and like you said there will be people around all the time to watch him for "accidents"
You will have a blast!

-amanda

[CorgiMum]

I think that Mac is a lucky puppy to be having his very first vacation so very young!

And he will be very well sicialized by the time his holiday is over.

Will there be other dogs as well?

[LaRositaMonita]

I think that Mac is a lucky puppy to be having his very first vacation so very young!

And he will be very well sicialized by the time his holiday is over.

Will there be other dogs as well?

No other dogs in the house, although with the old house we stayed at the neighbors who also stayed over 4th of July week had two Goldens. Who knows if our new neighbors will have doggies. :)

[CorgiMum]

With there not being any other dogs in the house it will most likey make his 'training' easier for you.

The problem that I forsee is that is that Mac will be spoiled with attention. :LAUGH:

I mean who will be able to resist him?

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

I have never been apart from Miss Gambler(and now Mojo), they travel everwhere with me, hotels, homes, etc... I've done it all with them. The most important thing for you to consider is this, you are staying at a dog friendly place, so you have to assume that dogs have been there before you. Will Mac have his Parvo vaccine by then? That is the one that I know my vets really preach to me since they know I travel so much with mine. (I have three vets in two states.) Parvo/distemper and Bordadella are important in staying in dog friendly places. I know that when Mojo was a puppy, I had to stay for a week in a dog friendly hotel, and the vet put it like this, "don't let her feet touch the ground" , she was that serious. And when you walk them, walk them well away from the dog friendly dwelling, so there is less likely the chance of coming into contact with other dog's poop. I firmly believe in taking them with me, I will never board them, promised them that. I have the packing down to an art. I even have a bag that has the essentials that if they go out the door, then that bag does. (Not trying to act like a know-it-all, but I have definitely been there, done that when it concerns this topic, and hope you don't mind that I got carried away in responding.)

[LaRositaMonita]

I have never been apart from Miss Gambler(and now Mojo), they travel everwhere with me, hotels, homes, etc... I've done it all with them. The most important thing for you to consider is this, you are staying at a dog friendly place, so you have to assume that dogs have been there before you. Will Mac have his Parvo vaccine by then? That is the one that I know my vets really preach to me since they know I travel so much with mine. (I have three vets in two states.) Parvo/distemper and Bordadella are important in staying in dog friendly places. I know that when Mojo was a puppy, I had to stay for a week in a dog friendly hotel, and the vet put it like this, "don't let her feet touch the ground" , she was that serious. And when you walk them, walk them well away from the dog friendly dwelling, so there is less likely the chance of coming into contact with other dog's poop. I firmly believe in taking them with me, I will never board them, promised them that. I have the packing down to an art. I even have a bad that has the essentials that if they go out the door, then that bag does. (Not trying to act like a know-it-all, but I have definitely been there, done that when it concerns this topic, and hope you don't mind that I got carried away in responding.)

He will be as up to date on everything as humanly possible up to that point. I'm not there yet, but I also want to make sure I look up the nearest vet/emergency vet in the Killington area just in case. I don't know how often other dogs have stayed in the house...but I'll make sure to ask. Thanks for the tips :)

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

I forgot all about mentioning that, I keep the phone numbers and addresses to vets and emergency clinics that are 24 hrs in my purse that will cover me on my entire trip, even the drive there and back because something could happen on the trip there. You're one step ahead of me, and you're going to be great at this.

[MrsGrace]

Heather,

This is a thread I started a while ago when asking about taking Colby camping with us.

You'll at least have a cabin (we have a travel trailer), so I imagine some of the advice is similar?

http://www.cool2bcorgi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=356

Have fun and good luck!! Want to hear all about it and get lots of pics!
MG

[LaRositaMonita]

Heather,

This is a thread I started a while ago when asking about taking Colby camping with us.

You'll at least have a cabin (we have a travel trailer), so I imagine some of the advice is similar?

http://www.cool2bcorgi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=356

Have fun and good luck!! Want to hear all about it and get lots of pics!
MG

Some of the advice is good, but Mac will be staying in a house nicer than his own the whole time! I quote from our friend Jamie's e-mail:

"Sleeping:
4 bedroom and 4 bathrooms,
The house is 3 levels,
Bottom bedroom - 1 double bed, 1 twin bed.
Main level - Master suite 1 King
Top level: 2 bedrooms:
Right side: Two twin beds
Left Side: equvalent of 6 twins (2 twins, 2 twin sized bunk beds)
Lounge: 2x Sofas
Can sleep up to 14 comfortably, including 3 couples with their own rooms.
I will be bringing my awesome inflatable mattress as well.
Parking:
Parking for 5-6 cars.

Living:
Full-length deck.
Great room has cathedral ceilings, flagstone fireplace and spectacular views of the mountains.
Fully stocked kitchen. (Gas stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, I believe there
is a blender there, utensils, ect..)
There is a grill on the deck.
There is a washer and dryer.
It is set pretty private. (One neighbor to the right, you can't
see her house, and the neighbor to our left side is not
too close)
Entertainment:
Indoor:
Pool table
Ping pong
Sauna
Hot tub
Big screen TV (Cable - MTV, VH1, E, Discovery, etc)
DVD
Stereo
Fully equipped with high speed wireless internet.
Countless board and card games will be brought.
Outdoor:
It's 11 miles north of where we used to stay: at 721 Rustic Drive, Killington, VT
Indoor Rock Climbing Gym
HikingTrails
Ski Lifts
Alpine Slide
Lakes (I'll be bringing a Canoe, and Swimming is permitted - bring a few suits and towels)
Golfing
Minigolfing"

I love these trips :)

[MVons]

What an incredible place, got room for more? You will have to post some photos so I can drool.

Seriously, if the others coming have a dog or have had a dog, they will be supportive of training Mac. Bringing the Nature's Miracle (pee scent remover) was my main item when Pepper was a pup and we traveled. If there is no fence, then you might want to bring an x-pen for outdoor, or indoor to protect him from the hot tub or to protect the ping pong balls from him!

Pepper was almost 4 months when we traveled to Montana - and no accidents at the in-laws! So you never know, Mac could surprise you.

Merrie

[corgimom]

Heather,

I would take his crate if you will be using one, and try as much as possible to keep his normal routine with eating and outside romps for potty - remind the other "guests" to be careful what they leave on the floor or in the garbage cans, as Mac may consume something you may not want him to. Put together an emergency doggy kit for the unexpected.(the emergency vet in the area was already suggested) I think you will be fine, it sounds like fun.

[Dillydoodle]

I agree with Linda to keep the basic routine that he will be doing at home the same... same meal times and the same basic potty times... When traveling with Dillon we found actually that the crate gave him great comfort.

Also making sure he is vaccinated - which i do think he should be by that time ( you said he would be about 5 months old? i think by then he will have had his rabies... cant quite remember when Dillon had his - somtime between 5and 6 months of age... ) Also dont forget tweezers if you plan on hiking with him- VT has its share of ticks in the woods there...

Emilie

[LaRositaMonita]

Heather,

I would take his crate if you will be using one, and try as much as possible to keep his normal routine with eating and outside romps for potty - remind the other "guests" to be careful what they leave on the floor or in the garbage cans, as Mac may consume something you may not want him to. Put together an emergency doggy kit for the unexpected.(the emergency vet in the area was already suggested) I think you will be fine, it sounds like fun.

GREAT idea floating in the back of my head that I'm glad you brought to the forefront. We're definitely packing all his "stuff" - crate, ex-pen if we wants to romp with us in the driveway, out back, or on the deck, all his "regular" bowls and such...the Nature's Miracle.. :) . There are some definite dog lovers, and one dog owner, going on the trip (but his border collie is being left with his roommate in California!). Either way, they're all friends we've had for a long time, so I have no reservations about training them on how we're training Mac. The emergency doggy kit is a great idea - what would you recommend bringing? I know hydrogen peroxide in case he really swallows something he's not supposed to, Benadryl if we realize he has some sort of allergy...anything else?

It's really funny. My first trip up to Vermont was taken while I was a summer camp counselor for 5-year-olds, and I caught strep throat from one of them which manifested itself on the trip. I have NEVER had strep like that before... totally knocked out for days, very high fever w/hallucinations that just would not break, in a LOT of pain. Because I wasn't sure what it was and I came down with it only a day before the end of the trip, I just sat it out for a good 36 hours or so until I could get home....I refused to let anyone look up where the nearest 24 hour clinic was or anything. Yet, as soon as I get the DOG, I'm all over bring prepared in case anything happens...

(No worries - we do know now where the HUMAN doctor is, too!)

[LaRositaMonita]

What an incredible place, got room for more? You will have to post some photos so I can drool.

Seriously, if the others coming have a dog or have had a dog, they will be supportive of training Mac. Bringing the Nature's Miracle (pee scent remover) was my main item when Pepper was a pup and we traveled. If there is no fence, then you might want to bring an x-pen for outdoor, or indoor to protect him from the hot tub or to protect the ping pong balls from him!

Pepper was almost 4 months when we traveled to Montana - and no accidents at the in-laws! So you never know, Mac could surprise you.

Merrie

All good advice, all stuff that's already coming with us for all those reasons! :)

I will certainly post pictures of the house, although I don't as of yet have any to preview. I can absolutely post photos of OLD Vermont trips in the other house, which was just as nice! (Although this one might even be nicer...) I know Jamie, Colin's friend, was purposefully looking for a house that had amenities we're used to - the hot tub, big deck, pool table, at least one big loft bedroom that will sleep a lot of people, big screen TV, internet. Again, it's all about the relaxation ;)

[mtoy]

Sounds like fun! One thing to have - a tag on your pup with a cell phone number or some way of people local to that area to find you should he become lost. Home numbers don't do much good in those situations.

[corgimom]

The emergency doggy kit is a great idea - what would you recommend bringing? I know hydrogen peroxide in case he really swallows something he's not supposed to, Benadryl if we realize he has some sort of allergy...anything else?

Check on the dosage of Peroxide in case you have to give it. Benedryl can be used if they get stung(and have a reaction) before you can get them to a vet. I was told that the dosage is 1 mg per pound of dog weight.(But please check with your own vet on the dosage amount) I would also take something like Neosporin antibiotic ointment and I also have what is called "Styptic Powder(quick Blood stopper) that can be used on minor cuts(got this at the pet store)


I would also make sure you have the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline number. Kansas State University has a Free Hotline number at 785-532-5679, however, there is no guarantee that someone will be managing the phone all the time.

and mToy had a great suggestion to have a special tag with your cell phone number on it.

[sutulu]

These are all repeats:

1) X pen (can you tell that is my answer for everything!)
2) Flea/tick treatment (I believe both Tuck and Lu started flea/tick treatment at 10-12 weeks)

Lulu was a baby last summer and I picked up an Outward Hound life jacket for her size X Small. Of course, she has outgrown it. If you would like her baby jacket, send me a private E mail and I would be happy to mail it off to you. I think they cost about $15 at Petsmart and I would be happy to pass her jacket along to you because you know Mac will out grow it by next year. Then you can pass it along to another new pup!

Let me know!

Susan

[MVons]

One thing to have - a tag on your pup with a cell phone number or some way of people local to that area to find you should he become lost. Home numbers don't do much good in those situations.I have been wanting to order the boomerang.com tag with our puppies name etc. but not knowing the name, I thought I'd wait until we returned from dog pickup. I realized I can order without a name and put the breeders number and ours so if the worst situation happened they would have two numbers to call enroute to our home. I don't know why your post triggered my brain to work, but I sure appreciate it.

Merrie

[Fluffypants]

Some of the advice is good, but Mac will be staying in a house nicer than his own the whole time! I quote from our friend Jamie's e-mail:



I love these trips :)
[/SIZE]


Can I come too??? :CUTE:

Between what you already have on your list, and the great advice here, I think you will be just fine. You can also get a Pet First Aid Kit online, which will have alot of the first aid stuff in it (then you don't have to gather as much). I think I got mine at www.drsfostersmith.com . . . but you can always google!

[mtoy]

I have been wanting to order the boomerang.com tag with our puppies name etc. but not knowing the name, I thought I'd wait until we returned from dog pickup. I realized I can order without a name and put the breeders number and ours so if the worst situation happened they would have two numbers to call enroute to our home. I don't know why your post triggered my brain to work, but I sure appreciate it.

Merrie

I know how you feel - I wanted a tag for Link right away but we didn't have a name for him yet. But, duh, it suddenly dawned on me that the name wasn't important at all, the contact info is. So I got one with our family name, the home phone # and my cell #. I felt much better having that tag on him, you never know if the gate were to be open or whatever.

[Lauren]

Eh, I think it's a bad idea. I mean think about it, Mac is probably going to get too much attention, too many cuddles, have too much fun...guess you'll just have to drop him off at my house on your way, ya know, just to be safe :WINK: :CUTE:

BTW, you're leaving on my birthday!

Honestly, it sounds like all of you are going to have an awesome time!

[LaRositaMonita]

Sounds like fun! One thing to have - a tag on your pup with a cell phone number or some way of people local to that area to find you should he become lost. Home numbers don't do much good in those situations.

Colin and I actually use our cells as primary phone numbers anyway...the plan is to just list both those phone numbers on his ID tag from day 1. Both our cells are the numbers on the registration for for his microchip, too :)

[LaRositaMonita]

Eh, I think it's a bad idea. I mean think about it, Mac is probably going to get too much attention, too many cuddles, have too much fun...guess you'll just have to drop him off at my house on your way, ya know, just to be safe :WINK: :CUTE:

BTW, you're leaving on my birthday!

Honestly, it sounds like all of you are going to have an awesome time!

We COULD just do the opposite and pick you, Izzy and Frodo up on the way.... :)

[Jespah]

Mac will befine - its sounds like you've planned for every event and situation -you will all have a fabulous time I'm sure!

Deb

[taflar]

The emergency doggy kit is a great idea - what would you recommend bringing? I know hydrogen peroxide in case he really swallows something he's not supposed to, Benadryl if we realize he has some sort of allergy...anything else?

Immodium, I never travel anywhere without immodium. And/or get some Flagyl from your vet before you go.

Also take a water supply from home for him or buy bottled water. Don't use the local water for your dog, especailly a puppy.

Peggy

[bunnybutts]

Sounds like your covered in the puppy department! What a great location and fun vacation :CUTE: Only thing you need is a cute bag to carry Mac's supplies!
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t47/TGal_photos/corgi%20stuff/tote.jpg


Post lots of pictures of Mac & Colin's Vermont Vacation for us to enjoy!

Seems only fair to take Heather since it is her Birthday (Happy Birthday to ya!) ... it's close enough to my Anniversary - can I come too??? :LAUGH:

[LaRositaMonita]

Post lots of pictures of Mac & Colin's Vermont Vacation for us to enjoy!

Seems only fair to take Heather since it is her Birthday (Happy Birthday to ya!) ... it's close enough to my Anniversary - can I come too??? :LAUGH:

It's my birthday? *looks around* My birthday is July 5...the trip is August 11...(it USED to be 4th of July week) but if someone wants to have a party now I'm okay with that...!

VERY cute bag! Robin actually gave us one in a similar size to take home that had all Mac's things in it :) No embroidered Corgi on it, though....

[Lauren]

We COULD just do the opposite and pick you, Izzy and Frodo up on the way....

They think it sounds good! :LAUGH:

[bayoucorgi]

Okay, I volunteer to come along and puppy sit and take Mac out and watch him like a hawk and you won't even know I'm there. JK. Have a great trip. People should be so careful and conscientious with their children as you are with your puppy.

[Fluffypants]

Okay, I volunteer to come along and puppy sit and take Mac out and watch him like a hawk and you won't even know I'm there. JK. Have a great trip. People should be so careful and conscientious with their children as you are with your puppy.

Wait a minute! I didn't even know you were accepting applications for that job! I want to volunteer too . . . just in case Pam has to go potty or something, I can take over. It's just good sense to back up your back up! :LAUGH: