Car travel with puppy

Jess041

Jess041

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I will be picking up Missy in 20 days, and I'm curious about transportation. There is a small possibility that I will be picking her up by myself, or my sister might decide to help. I'm not sure yet.

My question is this- What is the safest way to transport Missy home in the car, especially if I'm alone? It's about a 40 minute drive home from the breeder. In the past when we've brought puppies home, one of us holds the puppy in the back seat. If I'm alone, nobody will be able to hold her, and I'm not going to even attempt to hold a puppy and drive. She's going to be too small for a car harness, and her crate will not fit in my little Corolla. I have a couple carriers that I use for my cats that support up to 20 lbs, she might fit in there comfortably.

I just want to make sure that she's safe, and comfortable. I don't want to traumatize the poor thing the first day I have her! I'm pretty sure that my sister or mom or somebody will be with me- they're all pretty excited, but I need a back up plan just in case.
 
Definitely crate her.

I was worried about my girl--it was a 9 hour drive after we picked her up. We put her in the crate with a blanket, and a toy that smelled like her littermates. She cried for the first minute, and then we turned the crate so she could see us in the front seat. She didn't make another peep for the next 8 hours.
 

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I agree. Use a cat carrier or a puppy crate. Get her tired out with her litter mates while you do the paperwork and then get thee in the car and drive. She will likely cry if she isn't use to a crate but she will settle eventually and will be much safer travelling that way. If you do have another person then have them sit in the back seat while you drive home with the puppy on their lap.
 
Cat carrier for sure, and hopefully the breeder will give you a blanket or toy that smells of her "old" home. If possible, make sure you strap the cat carrier into the backseat with seatbelts. These carriers are small enough that if you had to put the brakes on too quickly, the carrier would fall into the floor well, with pup tumbled about.

Do put her in the backseat, otherwise, you'll find yourself distracted driving. She might whine, but just tune her out. 40 minutes isn't so long.

And of course, we require pictures once she's with you!
 
small carrier definitely. I sent the breeder a blankie and some toys so pup had lots of good familiar smells for the ride and for adjusting to new home:wink2:
 
BarbV said:
Cat carrier for sure, and hopefully the breeder will give you a blanket or toy that smells of her "old" home. If possible, make sure you strap the cat carrier into the backseat with seatbelts. These carriers are small enough that if you had to put the brakes on too quickly, the carrier would fall into the floor well, with pup tumbled about.

Do put her in the backseat, otherwise, you'll find yourself distracted driving. She might whine, but just tune her out. 40 minutes isn't so long.

And of course, we require pictures once she's with you!
Click to expand...

Yes, both cat carriers I have have straps to attach to the seat belt. This is what I have http://www.berganexperience.com/comfortcarriers/index.html. I have an older version of it, and a new one I got a few months ago that hasn't been used yet. And the breeder is going to give us both a blanket and toy.

Trust me, there will definitely be lots of pictures! I have a few on my intro thread already!

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, sounds like a clear consensus!
 
Calliesmom said:
small carrier definitely. I sent the breeder a blankie and some toys so pup had lots of good familiar smells for the ride and for adjusting to new home:wink2:
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I am picking up my puppy in 22 days and will be doing the same as Calliesmom suggests. A week before we pick her up I am dropping off a small carrier with a blankie that smells like our place (and critters) and that will end up smelling familiar when we bring her home. 40 minutes is not too long so after a good play...and a pee....hopefully you will have a nice ride home. :smile2:
Isn't it exciting?!!!!
 
Well 40 minutes is like nothing for travel with a small puppy. I definately would use the carrier.The puppy will be fine.

I echo what every one else is saying,get the pup good & tired with the siblings before you leave.

When we planned our trip to Janets,I sent a blanket for each of the boys,that Janet put in whelping area & x-pen for the whole time prior to the boys coming home.That way it had the mom & siblings scent on it. We had a nearly 5 hour drive each way.

Although we do have an SUV,I equipped the trip with a crate for each pup on its way home.And I also rode in the back end,all the seats were down.And had loads of toys,newspaper just in case they needed to potty,which did come in handy.

We took baby wipes,towels..for those car sick moments.Thank goodness either one did need them.
Bring water from the breeders home,maybe she will offer a toy also.Water is definately important,as sometimes changes will give belly upsets.
 
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