[Amh59]

Hi

We will be collecting our new puppy, Bo, from Janice in 3 weeks. We live a good 3 1/2 hours away without adding in stops so just wondered how often should we stop on the way home to see if she wants to go to the toilet? We are probably going to have to feed her at lunchtime if we set off in the morning so how best to do this at a service station? Also should I let her sit in the footwell of the car by my feet on a pad or blanket, in the carry cage on the back seat or on my lap? It's going to be very strange for her whatever we do as she won't know us and she'll have just left her siblings but just wondered what you all did. Thanks.

Andrea

 

[wellerfeller]

How exciting for you getting your puppy soon. How old is your puppy? I know Janice tends to keep her pups longer, so it may mean your pup is fully vaccinated. If it hasn't had all vaccinations then I wouldn't stop on your journey home, as it is dangerous to put down an unvaccinated puppy on any ground where many people/dogs are around as there is a risk of picking up parvo. If your pup is vaccinated then I would think just one toilet break would be enough in that time, although you may find your puppy curls up in your lap and sleeps the whole way.

Enjoy your puppy day.

 

[jaimebpa1]

I've never had a puppy in my adult life so i may be wrong about this, but i probably wouldn't give the puppy food on the journey home since it's only 3 1/2 hours. It's not that long for the puppy to have to wait to eat and i'd be concerned about the puppy getting car sick with a full stomach.

 

[ali-s.j.]

Andrea, have a look on Cockapooclubgb.co.uk - there is a section devoted to bringing your puppy home there

 

[Donnag]

Oh how exciting I remember that day well

We had a 3 hour journey home with Wynny, we drove all the way home without stopping couldn't wait to get home. She slept on my lap almost the whole way on a blanket she already owned. This was a great time for bonding . We put a puppy pad in the foot well just in case and took plenty of towels and wet wipes. They were not needed as I think the journey exhausted her. As for feeding, Wynny actually missed out on lunch that day. It's better not to feed them before a long journey just in case they decide to be sick. Good luck and enjoy your first long cuddle.

 

[Sarette]

We had about a 3 and a half hour journey home with Max. We stopped off once but he didn't go to the toilet, we did give him some water though as it was a warm day. He was on my lap for most of the journey He went to the loo when we got home and I put him in the garden.

S xx

 

[Georgiapeach]

I agree - no food on the trip.

I just got a 9 week old boxer pup, Brodie, on Christmas eve, and I just held him on my lap all the way home (4 hours). They need the closeness of human contact to feel more secure. After all, they've just been yanked away from everything/everyone they've ever known. Brodie was so exhausted from the change in environment, that he slept most of the way. We stopped twice on the way home - more for us than for him, lol (we must have our afternoon coffee, leading to a potty stop as the second one)! Be careful where you put the pup down, due to the Parvo risk. Don't put him down in the typical potty places at your stop.

 

[Freddies Mum]

Some very good advice here. Our journey home with Freddie was about 3 hours and we didn't stop. I also agree with travelling with pup on your knee for that first journey (assuming someone else is driving lol).

We had to feed Darcey on the way home as it was a nine hour drive, but she was so tiny she could only eat about a teaspoon of food with some puppy milk at a time, so she had that on my knee then we put her on some kitchen roll to go to the toilet.