If you have taken a road trip BY YOURSELF with a dog

I used to travel solo with my dog driving back and forth between Minnesota and Ohio several times a year before I retired. When I stopped, I would just open the sunroof a bit so that she would get some air and then of course I would let her out to do her business, if needed.

But if the weather isn't really hot, I wouldn't worry about leaving a dog in the car for just a couple of minutes. Or if it's a bit warmer, why not just crack the windows open a little bit and then keep the door locked.? Is there some reason you don't do that?

I guess I don't really understand why you open up the hatch.

I’ve driven across the country in the summer with a dog, although not by myself. If your husband stops at a rest area that doesn’t serve food he can probably take the dog with him. But if there are food concessions it could be a problem. If he can’t take the dog with him and you can’t leave the dog in the car for whatever reason can he tie the dog to a post somewhere in the shade? And if he puts out a bowl of water with the dog people will probably figure he went in for a comfort break of one sort or another.

not a dog, but a cat in a car from MN to TX during cooler months
I parked in the shade. It was 1st part of April and still cool for most of the drive. I have a little Prius. I opened all the windows about 2 inches. I filled her water bowl with some water and kept her litter box in the front passenger area for your legs. She was freaked a little to be in the car, so I always checked she was in the back seat/hatchback area and not near the driver door before I opened car door.

I went inside and used facilities, grabbed a snack and came back out. If it was clear she had used neither litter box or had any water I just turned on the radio and ate my snack. She was much better after the 1st day of driving and she loved the hotel where we stayed. I set her up in te bathroom, but left door open a crack so she could explore & left tv on. I came back to find her on the bed where I had placed her blankie, watching tv. Pets do adjust, but be sure the weather is really cool and park somewhere shady. I don't need to tell you cars heat up quickly.

I travel solo with a dog and maybe I’m just lucky, but I generally stop someplace and take the dog for a walk and then I will put the dog back in the car and run into the gas station or rest stop. Go to the bathroom and run back. I have a cooler that has beverages for both me and the dog treats, etc. no one’s ever bothered my dog in the time it’s taken me to race into the bathroom and race back and it doesn’t get that hot in the less than five minutes I’m gone (and I’m in the south)

Granted, my car is not so sophisticated enough apparently to have this baby alarm I guess

The laws prohibiting leaving a dog unattended in a parked vehicle apply if the conditions endanger the animal’s life.

https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-laws-protect-animals-left-parked-vehicles

Many people travel with pets, and it is very common to leave them in the vehicle for a quick stop inside a rest stop bathroom.

I’m not familiar with baby alarms, but a quick google search states there is a way to turn off or adjust such alarms for pets. I bet your dealer could help you with this.

Safe travels and good luck!

"how to disable mercedes benz baby monitor" as a search term produced a plethora of results

One example--- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDh5O64bH_8
(In case M-B tech center is not helpful)

Is your dog friendly with strangers? ( or at least not hostile? If so, if at a interstate rest stop with a 'dog area' perhaps ask someone with a dog to watch yours while he is using the restroom. If at a mini-mart gas station kind of place ask the staffer of where to leave to pooch for a few minute to use the restroom.

I can offer only theoretical ideas as I have no dog. My daughter with big dogs leaves them 'at camp' when she travels. The other daughter has 'under the seat' size dogs.

HUGE thank you to all who responded!! I think we have a plan now, although we do not yet have a trip planned.

My spouse is checking on line now (Benz GLC300/2023 yr) to see directions for disabling the alarm (and will watch the YouTubes, too), but I like the idea EVEN BETTER of having someone "watch" him while my spouse dashes to the restroom. He does not do well when other dogs are loose (he actually got bit right in front of his "male parts" by an off-leash Frenchie that came changing after him at a walking trail while he was on a leash and right by our side, so we would not leave him in a "dog park" area by himself (and not enter one with us). We are cautious to leave ANY area where there is an off-lead dog.

i actually had a similar, though different, thought to Joe's post -- stopping at a decent, but not hugely expensive hotel, and asking a bell person or the front desk to "hold" him for a few minutes VERY POLITELY offering $10 or $20.......who would not say "yes" to that?........and he (the dog, but also the hubby) is absolutely adorable (especially when wearing one of his bandanas), as it would likely give them a moment of joy...and not take away from any otherwise earned "tip money." That would be much kinder to our dear dog, and also not freak anyone out that a dog has been left alone in a vehicle...even if the alarm is disabled.

Thank each of you for your replies and thoughts. We have a plan :)

Our cats, who travel back and forth between Birmingham and Charleston, said to tell you that it is mandatory to get the dog some Chik-Fil-A nuggets for lunch.

I travel solo by car a lot with my dog. It can be tricky, especially when it's hot.

Many hotel chains are dog friendly, so walking in with your dog wouldn't be unusual. I stay in a lot of Best Westerns that have dog areas and dog friendly rooms. Motel 6 is another one.

You can also drop in to pet stores. Pet Smart, Pet Food Express, Petco - they all allow dogs and have public restrooms.

My dog is small, so I can carry her into rest stop bathrooms in her carrier or her backpack, or even her new doggie stroller. But I would imagine your doodle is too big for any of those.

A lot of public parks have outdoor bathrooms that are dog friendly facilities. I just searched Google Maps for "parks with bathrooms near me" and it listed several.

REI is another store that is completely dog friendly and has public bathrooms. I'm sure there are others. You'd just need to stop in towns large enough to have a a pet store or one of the dog friendly chains.

Oh! Home Depot. Lowe's. Bass Pro Shops. Even Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack are dog friendly, though I'd probably go for Home Depot myself.

Loads of retail options!

that it is mandatory to get the dog some ChikFilet nuggets for lunch.

My dog agrees! Chick-fil-A is our go to fast food for road trips because I can add their grilled chicken nuggets to her dry food. The other chains are breaded or don't have much meat.

"I like the idea EVEN BETTER of having someone "watch" him while my
spouse dashes to the restroom."

I would not be doing this at a rest area. What happens if the person
decides they really like your dog and leaves with him while your
husband is in the rest room? Better that your husband takes him into
the restroom with him, regardless of dirty paper the dog may smell of
on the floor. Less harm for the dog than being taken.

I had the same thought. Either that or the person gets tired of waiting and leaves the dog.

Also, one thing I wanted to mention. Talk to your vet before you go. Get a sedative just in case. I used to drive with my dog from Chicago to Arizona every year. At first, she loved being in the car, and then one year she just freaked out. That was not a fun drive!

She got a UTI a couple of times too. So, lots of water is important. When you’re driving, you just want to get there. It’s important to make frequent stops, if not for the driver, for the dog.

Sam321............no, I guess, I was not clear. NO, we would not leave him with "just anyone" we happened to see at a rest stop, just like those of you who may be parents/grandparents would not do that with a young one But, we might actually leave him for 3 minutes with a staff member at the front desk or bell stand at a decent hotel (which I explained further down in my post). He is so adorable, he could be tempting to "dog nap," so in public he is always with us and never off lead. Even in our our yard, he is always on leash. (He used to love to run in the yard, chasing the frisbee or ball, but suspected PFK (you can google if interested..."suspected" because genetic matching can only be done on certain pure breeds (we tried/it came back saying as much) , and he is a mix) means walks are "it" for exercise along with light ball tossing inside). No need to "weigh in" on that, forum members, he has had some great vet care and we follow their advice. And, sorry, I digress...............

Good idea re: calming pills for whatever might arise, even weather. He is used to doggy calming pills for storms (lightening/thunder freaks him out), so good idea to take those along. Often even 1/2 pill works. Luckily, he is used to car rides and loves them.

Good idea also about stopping at a pet store or Home Depot. He adores Home Depot, prancing around like he owns the place (we just have to be totally careful a dropped screw or something does not catch his eye....or the "doodle snarf" could result.

Yes, backroads are always an option, too......but, then I would have to listen to my husband reminding me constantly how much more quickly the journey would be if we efficiently hopped on the interstate ;o After 52 years of marriage, we know "the triggers."

Again, thank you all so very much for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas.

Re: Chick-fi-let....yummmm...but dear dog is on a very strict prescription diet (Science Diet I/D dry/ and similar of their canned food), along with daily probiotics, and metamucil....explaining the why would be really long.....he has two very good vets at two different clinics who share info back/forth), as as much as he would LOVE the nuggets, we would not try that at home muchless on a road trip, as "issues" might develop...and that could lead to more frequent "stops" or having to clean parts of the car.

All that said, we LOVE him dearly, and he has enriched our lives in soooo many ways. He IS a family member.

Safe travels to all.

CW Social I had no idea that those stores were possibilities-good to know. Chik -Fil-A should do an ad with our pets. They wouldn't even have to pay them-my cats would work for food!

OP, sounds like you are an excellent dog person and have gotten some excellent ideas here. Thanks for keeping him on a lead for his security... and for the rest of us.

Not to make this conversation go up in flames, but I have to weigh in as a person with some pretty significant dog phobia stemming from a couple of childhood episodes....
Encountering a new dog in an unexpected place, especially off lead, can make me melt into a flop sweat, which somehow makes me even more sniffable to a strange dog.

So, dear dog people, please know that the rest of us are out here doing the very best we can!