Traveling with new pup. Need some advice

[Heads.up.Penny]

Next weekend we're traveling 8 hours to get our new Em/mix (they say it's mountain mastiff the father??) We have a small car and will be bringing a sizable crate for the pup to be riding in safely.


My concern is he is going to freak out. The pup will be 11 weeks old by then, but raised outside, and never been in in a car before. I plan on laying a tarp down (since he has No potty training what so ever) under the crate in the back seat and a blanket In the crate for comfort.


I was thinking of maybe buying a Kong toy for little buddy to play with. (Filling with treats) or maybe may be a pig ear or something to keep him preoccupied... any suggestions?

Now I plan on stopping every 2-3 hours for walks and potty breaks.

Will this be sufficient for little buddy or do we need to modify our plans when traveling with him?

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[Rnichols]

Lulu went a little crazy at first too but she calmed down after 30 mins or so. I didn't give her no toys or anything just tried to soothe her

 

[Robtouw]

I just placed a blanket on the seat next to me an Cruiser slept the majority of the way home. With the a/c running and the truck a bit cold he was a happy camper!

 

[TWW]

When I picked up Mouse at 8 weeks he was a bit rowdy for 30-45 mins of the drive. after that slept rest of the way. past a wake up at rest stop for potty break mid trip. 2 hrs or so should be fine.

 

[DennasMom]

We didn't have to go far to get Denna, but we played with her in her yard for a bit, put the collar and leash on her there and let her drag it around... introduced a new toy there, there... then put her and the toy in a crate with her baby blanket (one that had been rubbed on her mom and litter mates, so she took a scent of "home" with her). She whined for a few minutes, but settled down pretty quick.

The baby blanket with "home" smells on it REALLY helped in transitioning her to her new home and crate training. HIGHLY recommended.

2 hours per potty-break is a good average to plan for.
I'd keep an eye on the crate - give him 30 minutes to settle, and after that, if you hear whining or see any movement or shifting about, plan for a stop at the next available point. First stop might be 1 hour, next might be 3 hours... hard to gauge little bladders at that age.

I'd also offer some water just before going back in the crate, but not keep water IN the crate... 1) it might spill and 2) if he over-imbibes, you'll be stopping a lot more often.

I'd also start right off with "potty parties" if he goes during your potty-breaks, just to start the vocabulary lessons early - but keep them a bit on the calm side during travels. You want him happy, but also as relaxed and calm as possible. He'll be confused enough with the changes in scenery and people around him.

I'd also avoid traveling within one hour of a big meal... you might offer a few small bites of food to help him relax and nap (the kong/ear idea I think is good, too... and/or a bully stick, which is less greasy than a pig ear), but hold off on a full meal until you get home.

Can't wait to see some pictures!

 

[Heads.up.Penny]

Thanks for all the advice

Especially dennasmom I will take an extra blanket I have an get the owners to rub momma down so he is comfy. As well as potty parties immediately


And here's a bonus pic of him 9 weeks old I believe


Born may 20

 

[zardac]

Cute pup,

We just got an 8 week old from 700 miles away.

A couple of things I'd add.

We got a couple of jugs of the breeder's water to bring along for the trip home, figuring there could be some adjustment problems (going from southern California cistern, H20 to northern Oregon public water system).

I got a smaller crate thinking safety in sudden stops or fender bender. I wanted the small body to travel through the air as little as possible before impacting the wall of the crate.
I also over-secured the crate with ratcheting straps, not wanting the small body and crate to thunk the back of my head.

Since our puppy wasn't immunized and protected from Parvo and Distemper, we were careful when stopping for breaks. We had it on our laps or a blanket, and didn't use specified pet areas for potty breaks.

Parvovirus | ASPCA

Can My Vaccinated Dogs Spread Parvo to Another Dog?

 

[Heads.up.Penny]

Tha ks I've actually been worried about parvo and I will be looking for places that most owners won't stop. It really upsets me that people can be so careless to let their dog get pregnant. And then not even get shots for the poor puppies.

The water idea is good!


They have him eating cheap purina puppy chow.

I obviously will be changing that but whst are some good large breed puppy foods?

I currently feed my pomeranian and cat merrick brand (my cat refuses to eat any cat food. Even soft, she has to eat what my dog is eating)

 

[NYDDB]

I flew to Michigan from New York to pick up Mateo, and we did the same thing DennasMom did--- took an old t-shirt and had the breeder rub it all over his Momma before we left. We put the t-shirt inside of the crate in the back seat and at one point he smelled it and snuffled his whole head into it before falling asleep. Co cute!

By the way, he was calm and happy and curious about his new adventure- not a whimper at all.


Here is a photo of him snuggling with the t-shirt on the car ride home...