In the car:
Most of the things I pack for the car are things that are in there nearly year-round - though the winter tote and the summer tote are slightly different - and fall and spring I rotate out various things based on where we're going and if the trial is indoors or outdoors and whether or not I plan on crating in the car for the weekend.
- Fleece Jacket and Raincoat/Umbrella
- First Aid Kit - After breaking my wrist field training, I don't go anywhere without one.Mine includes provisions for the dogs too. Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, Arnica, Allergy meds (non-drowsy AND benedryl), pepto bismal (caplets), antacids, etc etc. Nothing sucks more than being on the road and having a dog with a need for pepto and not having any pepto....I take benedryl to help me sleep on those nights when my brain doesn't want to stop.
- Shade cloths/tarps (including clips and bungees to secure them to the car)
- Water. I always have at least two gallons of water for the dogs and a few bottles of water for myself. Some dogs won't drink strange water - some dogs get GI upsets on "new" water.
- Doggie Documents: Registration paperwork (AKC number), Rabies Certificate, Jump height Card, Contact information for your vet. Don't forget to have photos of your dog - You NEVER know when you'll need them.
- Extra collar and leash.
- Flashlight
- High value - but shelf stable - treats (something that can be left in the car indefinitely in case of emergency)
- Fans (Summer)
- Hand sanitizer
- Papertowels/Lysol wipes
- Waste Bags
For you:
I know it's tempting to just hop in the car and go - but a bit of planning can make for a much more enjoyable weekend at the dog show - especially if you don't come home resembling a certain boiled crustacean.
- Sunscreen/Bug Spray
- Video Camera
- Folding chair or chair cushion (for the venues that provide metal chairs)
- Rain coat
- Extra socks and a spare pair of sneakers (BOOTS).
- Change of clothes - including shorts/pants. I use this stash of clean clothes most often for heading directly from trial site to restaurant
- Snacks and assorted goodies (I always pack juice for the morning, yogurt for a snack and chocolate - just in case)
- A cooler with some beverages
- Mittens, Hat, gloves - weather dependent.
For your dog:
Some planning for your dog can go a long way. Most of our trial stuff fits into an LL Bean boat tote - easy access and convenient to pack.
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Winter 2009: Murphy modeling his turnout blanket from
Dover Saddlery...Warm and toasty.
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- Medication and supplements for the weekend (plus at least one dose).
- Portable crate/crate pad - Crate Mat
- Extra bowls (crate, hotel, trial site)
- Sheet or blanket to cover the bedspread at the hotel
- A few different kinds of treats - including some really high value goodies..in the same cooler as above
- Chewies and/or a Kong for settling down in the hotel room.
- Show collar and leash (if applicable)
- Flexi-leash
- Toys - we never leave home without our chuck-it.
- Winter items include blankets (we got some of these from Dover Saddlery) - especially if the boys will be in the car between runs.In the summer I pack their cool-coats.
What's next?
In part three of this series we'll get to trial day - What to expect when you arrive on-site.
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