Tips on taking our dog around Oz

I have a 9 yo staffy female and have taken her on a few trips. She seems to get very restless and sometimes tires to climb under my feet or into my lap while Im driving unless I stop quite often. I have a 75 series ute ,so room is a bit scarce in the cab
But I do enjoy her company on long trips.

Never had any real problems except in one park she slipped her leash and a woman saw my dog near her children and ran around screaming PITBULL!! PITBULL!! like a llunatic

Later on her toddler children played ball and climbed all over her.

Just make sure he doesn't lay "Barkers Eggs" all over the place???

Hi Lyndsey
We had a couple of years touring Aus. with our two Maltese x Poodle's.
We had a great time. Had no troubles with them in Qld., NSW, or Vic. so you should be ok. Have't done Tas. yet with dog's. The only trouble we had with the dog's, was in Kununurra, around Shark Bay / Denham area and the area a couple of hundred klm's nth of Perth, to Perth.
If we wanted to go into National Parks, we teamed up with others with dog's, and we would look after their dog/s for the day, then they would look after our's the next. Seemed to work for us.
Cheers
Neil

Hi Lyndsey. My experiences with dog travelling are mostly in NZ but it is much the same, (always had G/Shepherds). I did take my previous dog Mikila from Adelaide to Perth following the coast all the way in early 2004 and found all the same rules applied.

On that Aussie trip the back seats were removed from the 100 Series and a false floor put through to the cargo barrier behind the front seats. NOT a good idea, since that trip I have shortened the floor and moved the barrier back to its rear position. Reason was that there was to much room to move, Mikila seemed to like looking out the back window, any sort of braking and she would come flying up the car and hit the cargo barrier.

Tend to stay away from C/Parks as much as possible but when I do have to always ask for a rear out of the way site to keep her away from those lunatics, yes we have plenty here to. Found that the C/Park “leper colonies” are often the best spots, down on the beach or on top of the hill, with other like minded doggy people.

The biggest problem by far you will face is poison baits, both countries are crawling in the stuff. Those bait station contractors have a lot to answer for. They will set baits where they can drive their ute to i.e. Roadside rest areas, public viewing areas, overnight camp areas. Never let your dog off the lead in a new area before you give it a really good check out.

Had to laugh at your comment, "Obviously not being able to sleep up in the tent." Wanna bet!!! At times I think it would be easier to sleep outside in a swag and give the Karavan to the dog.

National parks may not be a such big deal as you think. I believe the rules in NZ are very similar to Oz, right of access through with your dog. This tends to mean you can stop briefly at some point of interest leaving the dog in the car (if there is shade). On one occasion in the South Island I couldn’t find kennels in the area so the ranger took her into the Ranger Station for the day. Could this happen in Aussie?

Regards Clive.

PS. The fastest way to fall out with the public over your dog is not picking up after it.

To quote a recent submission, dogs are like farts, your own are OK but other people's stink.
Apart from that the big problem is that many, if not most, National Parks bait for feral animals. It is not nice to see a favoured pet die from a bait.
Leave them with a trusted friend. Most aminals do like like extended travel anyway.
YES! I know that some do, but most don't.

Doggy charchol bites. Our old fella use to let em rip. Kinka Beach near Yeppoon where we are at the moment is a great place for dogs. They can run out on the beach.

Dogs are great to travel with.

Especially across the top.

Just the best thing to test a river for crocs.

Hi Guys

If you're going to take your dog to Tassie - you will need to go to your vet and get a certificate to confirm he/she has been treated for tape worm. They will check for it when you get off the Spirit of Tasmania - so the date etc of when he/she was treated must be current.

Usually 2 hours driving is the max before you need to stop and give them a break. I also recommend that you get a "road refresher" dog bowl that has Velcro on the base and is non spill. It easily "sticks" to any carpet and won't move. I've had mine for a while and no matter how rough the road - didn't spill any water.

Make up a dog first aid kit - ask your vet what they recommend. I take syringes that have a tube on the end so you can give them stuff to make them vomit in the case of poisoning - it may save their life. Betadine is also a great item to carry for them (and you) as well to help with infections from cuts etc.

So glad you're taking your best friend - I wouldn't travel anywhere without mine! They make the trip so much more enjoyable.

have fun!

:-)

We always travel with our Jack Russell. She travels happily and is great company. We easily meet people through her - a dog is a great conversation starter. Dog friendly camping grounds and CPs are always the friendliest.
It is important to stop at least every two hours, even oftener in hot weather, to give her a walk and encourage her to drink. Dogs quickly get dehydrated even in an airconditioned car. This means we do not attempt heroic distances in a day but get to see a lot of small towns and interesting walks we would otherwise miss. Most small towns have outside seating at coffee shops and cafes and she is usually offered a bowl of water too. (She does 'cute' very well!)
Be very careful of baits - these can turn up anywhere - even dropped by crows in camping grounds.
Also watch out for ticks - especially on the NSW coast. The paralysis tick can kill a dog quickly. We use Advantix treatment for fleas and ticks, as well as checking her each day and this seems to work. If you are in scrub a lot add a tick collar for those times.
Don't forget to pack all your dog's immunisation certificates and other vet info for the times you may need to take her to a kennel - we have only done this rarely but sometimes it may be necessary.
No doubt your dog will soon learn to climb into the tent - especially if there is a storm! Have a great trip! Lynne

Hi Nathan & Lindsey,
I don't want to object to travelling with dogs. We did with ours. Don't feed them Pall Phew! We fed them charcoal tablets but were later told by a vet that they cause cancer of the stomach.
As far as baits go, we used to carry stuff to make them sick but by the time you notice that something is wrong it may be too late. It is a dreadful death. Back then we used to carry a gun(we were cattle station workers) travelling south for hols. If there was no further hope it was quicker & kinder.
We kept them on a leash or put a lightweight muzzle on them when they went for walks. Better than them dying of baits!
We tied them to the car at night in case a bitch came by on heat. If a snake came by they'd bark frantically but they were experienced with snakes. . So you have to be careful of that if out bush, maybe he could camp on a rug in the car in snake country. Thankfully ours never took baits.
It is law that signs stating that baits have been laid be erected but birds can carry baits for miles & drop them anywhere for miles around where they've been laid. in the surrounding country areas.
In caravan parks ,one of the worst things is male dogs cocking their legs on tents. Then it's very hard to get the smell off. Even on a lead you may not catch him in time once you feel him stop,you can't put a muzzle on wee willy!!!!
I think take him if he doesn't get carsick. Just take precautions where necessary. He'll have a good holiday too. Some caravan parks near national parks do have dog kennel enclosed pens you can put them in for the day. The carapark owner worry about having a Pit bull in his day boarding kennels though.Sadly you have a beautiful dog given a bad reputation by others, mainly the humans who own them.
Take care, safe travels.
Bye Sally.
I think he'd miss you terribly if you're away for 4 months.

Lyndsey

We travel with our two small dogs and unfortunately yes they do hinder you if you want to visit Cape York. We have thought about leaving them at home but cannot bear too, so we miss out on all the nat parks and they have a great time especialy on the western side. Cape York has a lot of nat parks and resource reserves and they are mainly on the eastern side and all have the same rules, no dogs. It also can blow south easterly for mths on end so it can be so uncomfortable that even you may not want to stay there.
But there are plenty other spots too that you can go.

Tips for Cape York if you change your mind and take your dog.

Dont take your dog to T.I. or you will have to go through AQIS and get a permit for them to come back to the mainland. Dont let your dog come in contact with other local dogs. Couple of places that are baited but sign posted, mainly up between Vrilya Point turnoff and Jardine ferry. Plenty ticks and no vets. Have fun, Dave

Just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone for all of the replies so far.
Will take all on board and hopefully we will have a fun but safe trip.


Lyndsey