Preparing a Puppy for a Long Drive Home?

Question

Next Saturday, my roomate and I will be picking up our Puggle puppy in the bay area. It'll be about a 7 hour drive back to Los Angeles. How best should we prepare for the drive home? Will one stop for gas be enough, or will the puppy need to get out more often? What precautions should we take to prevent parvo, or should the puppy stay in the car the whole time? Since there will be a passenger, should the puppy stay in it's crate, or will it be better on the passenger's lap?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Take zip lock bags to put the paper toweling in, after it is used.. also take a wet wash cloth, or 2, so you can better clean up any messes, in the car, and on the puppy... I would offer it an outing two or 3 times on the trip..Unless it is sleeping..don't wake it..Go only to off road places, to walk the puppy..Never a pet area of the rest stops..but turn off on back roads..

Expect crying and whining, (maybe take ear phones for your music) and just act soothingly to it..DON"T give it any medication!..

Take a harness and leash, in case it needs to walk..put the harness on right away, but the leash only when it gets out of the car...don't allow it to roam around the car..it will go under seats, and get on the gas pedal..A kennel would be safest..

Answer 2

Congrats on your new puppy! If the breeder has cats, he may have already been introduced to them. If not, I'd put the pup in the crate & let the cats come up & check him out. Make sure you make the crate a happy place for him to be; give him a really tasty treat when you put him in it. I've always fed my crated pups in their crates, this also reinforces it being a good place (I call it their "room", sounds better to me). Yup, that crate will be too big- I think Petsmart sells dividers you can put in it to make it smaller. You could also try Craigslist or Freecycle to find a used one. Generally, your pup should be able to "hold it" as many hours as he is old in months; for example, if he's 2 months old he should be able to go 2 hours before needing to go out. Depends on the dog; when my Mastiff was a pup he'd "hold it" all night long when I brought him home @ 3 months old. Just be sure to have plenty of chew toys for your pup, teething rings, etc. If you get rope toys, don't give him those unless you're there to supervise; some dogs swallow the pieces of string & it can cause a blockage. Be sure to puppy-proof your home, as you would for a baby or toddler. And, oh- be sure to keep the litter box out of reach- most dogs love what they find in them (yuk!) & that clumping litter can also cause a blockage. Good luck!

Answer 3

O, OK, SO JUST SIT THE LITTLE FELLOW DOWN, EXPLAIN TO HIM HE NEEDS TO GO BEFORE U LEAVE THE HOUSE, AND TELL HIM OF ALL THE EXCITING TAG GAMES YOU CAN PLAY ON THE WAY IF YOU GET BOARD....O AND DONT FORGET TO COUNT THE # OF DIFERENT STATE TAGS U SEE.
.....SORRY I COULDNT RESIST......

Answer 4

If you don't already have a car harness for the puppy, then a crate or carrier would be best. He/She will feel safer. You will probably need to stop about every 2 hours, depending on the age of the dog. If you were traveling with a 2 year old with questionable potty training, how often would you stop? Lots!!

Answer 5

You will need a pet carrier with a paper liner, water and a bit of food,have stops every two hours or so. The puppy will sit on your lap for some of the time and will be more comfortable in the carrier for rests.

Answer 6

Congrats on your new baby!!! I would get some dramamine in case of carsickness. THe puppy will probably travel better in the crate. It will most likely sleep thru most of the trip if left crated. Have a nice sofy blanket in there for him to sleep on and a couple of stuffed animals. When he wakes up, get him out aqnd play with him and see if he needs to potty. I would have puppy pads for him to potty on and not take him out to public places becasue so many dogs go there and there could be all kinds of germs there. Feed him small amounts of dog food at a time. That will help keep him from getting car sick. Have a safe trip and enjoy the new baby.

Answer 7

about once an hour take for a short walk so it can pee and poop have plenty of water on hand. till you see how the dog travels also have a roll of paper towels to wipe up upchucking if he dosen't travel well if you can let the dog get fresh air on your lap out the window. only part way down so he can get his head out but not jump out good luck

Answer 8

pack extra food water bottles and if your puppy likes cages then get a roomy cage for him or her to walk around in. and if have never had the dog and its a brand new puppy that you are currently buying ask the person who is giving the dog to you if he or she was kept in a cage or if it likes walking around alot for more info for comfort for the dog.

Answer 9

the puppy is gonna need to be let out more than one time.about the parvo call the veterinarian,see what they tell you .

Answer 10

Make sure your pup has her own space; a nice crate or carrier with a blanket, toy, fresh water. Don't feed the pup prior to the trip; food could cause her to get an upset tummy.(But seeing you are planning a 7 hour drive, small feedings would be advisable to avoid hypoglycemia in your young puppy) Please don't let the passenger hold her...if you were in an accident, your pup would be unrestrained. I often transport puppies over long distances and here is my personal protocol for transport :)
I use a nice size crate or carrier with a puppy pad, blanket and toy for the pup to have her own quiet time for sleep. I never let them out of the car in areas I konw other dogs may have been walked to avoid diseases to the pup. I let them go on the puppy pads and just toss them away when needed. I bring plenty of fresh water and offer it once every hour. I also like those baby carriers that you wear like a backpack and will keep small puppies in that so that I can keep them close and comforted. they attach with straps and you carry them across your chest; I'm sure you know which ones I am talking about. I dont feed puppies much food before the trip or during to avoid tummy upset. If you really feel the need to walk the pup, choose places that aren't popular (No truck stops, places right off the interstate, etc) choose out of way places where it's unlikely people have walked their pets. You can also get a safety seat for the front seat of you car to the pup in if you want. It offers some safety for the pup while allowing her to be upfront with you :) Good luck and congrats! Puggles are adorable!!!!!!!!