Traveling with new puppies...
Discussion
Anyone with any advice on the sensibleness (or otherwise) of doing a 500 mile journey with 2 brand new puppies? With breaks is that a tenable distance to travel with them? I'm not concerned about me - I've done that sort of distance many, many times I'm more worried about any possible implications for them.
When we picked up our 9 week old Springer puppy we had to travel 200 miles with her.
I held her for the first hour as she was shaking like a leaf, then she settled down.
She was virtually house trained but not fully vaccinated so I was wary of putting her in a lay-by, field etc for a wee (paranoid new owner!!) - eventually I had to as she became restless.
If you have two pups they will probably curl up in the crate and comfort each other. Put a small soft bed in there with sides so that they have something to lean against and don't get rolled around by the car movement. Put mothers "smelly blanket" in. I was amazed at how comforting that is for a puppy.
Carry a newspaper, kitchen roll and a rubbish bag. Also water and a bowl,although they probably won't drink much.
Best option is to start your journey early to avoid traffic and drive like hell!!
I held her for the first hour as she was shaking like a leaf, then she settled down.
She was virtually house trained but not fully vaccinated so I was wary of putting her in a lay-by, field etc for a wee (paranoid new owner!!) - eventually I had to as she became restless.
If you have two pups they will probably curl up in the crate and comfort each other. Put a small soft bed in there with sides so that they have something to lean against and don't get rolled around by the car movement. Put mothers "smelly blanket" in. I was amazed at how comforting that is for a puppy.
Carry a newspaper, kitchen roll and a rubbish bag. Also water and a bowl,although they probably won't drink much.
Best option is to start your journey early to avoid traffic and drive like hell!!
Nothing really further to add except I've done it twice. (600miles Cardiff/North of Scotland.)
Three pups both times(8-9 weeks) in one crate with little bother. After 400miles they got restless and were let out, then promptly went back to sleep. No food was offered and water was of no interest.
Clean crates both times with no apparent ill effects.
Three pups both times(8-9 weeks) in one crate with little bother. After 400miles they got restless and were let out, then promptly went back to sleep. No food was offered and water was of no interest.
Clean crates both times with no apparent ill effects.
We drove to Darlington and back from South Essex to collect our last puppy (13 years ago) in an Escort estate. He was very happy being in the back of the car with a few rugs and soft toys as well as a blanket from the litter pen. My wife sat on the back seat all the way back so she could talk to him and touch/fuss him if necessary. After about 20 minutes of wobbling around he settled down to sleep on his bed and was happy to get out for wee breaks (had been innoculated) every couple of hours or so and drink some water when offered.
I would expect 2 pups to be fine together if you have them in a secured cage and/or if you can have someone sit in the back of the car to be near them if possible.
I would expect 2 pups to be fine together if you have them in a secured cage and/or if you can have someone sit in the back of the car to be near them if possible.
I'd imagine, as others have said, that they'll be fine with appropriate box/crate/walled bed. One or two wee-wee stops, and the rest will be spent sleeping!
Our pup sat on my lap and looked out the window for half the journey, chewed the proffered dog toy for a quarter of the journey, and slept the rest.
...should have known then that she was a restless, nosy little madam!
Our pup sat on my lap and looked out the window for half the journey, chewed the proffered dog toy for a quarter of the journey, and slept the rest.
...should have known then that she was a restless, nosy little madam!
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