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Original poster

2 hour car journey to bring new puppy home

42 replies

Jackwiththelazyeye · 11/03/2023 08:38

Looking for experienced help please?

Long time member and poster - name changed for this thread in case it becomes identifying. We are collecting our new Labrador puppy soon - he will be just over 8 weeks old. The fastest route home from the breeders will be 2 hours mainly on motorways/A roads.

When we brought our last dog home it was a slightly shorter distance and I remember having her in a small crate on the seat next to me. As I remember (8 years ago) she was fine and slept quite a bit.

When I was a child (about 40 years ago!) we bought a puppy a good 7 hour drive away and I remember him being put in a big washing up bowl with blanket/towel and DF stopping the car every hour or so to let the puppy have a wee and a drink. I remember sitting next to the ‘bowl’ on the back seat all the way home with him.
No idea if it’s a coincidence but that dog was a fantastic car traveller for his whole life!

I am possibly overthinking this but wanted to hear of anyone else’s positive puppy car journey stories. Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
sm40 · 11/03/2023 08:44

We need pictures! My lab is now 2.
We had an hour journey. Had one of those car crates things and she could see us. Left a towel in there and she did do a wee. She cried a bit and went to sleep. If you can cope I would just go straight home and reassure her on the way.
I was more worried about the first night but that was fine too.

tizwozliz · 11/03/2023 08:48

We had a slightly over 2 hour journey home with our lab pup. I was absolutely dreading the journey but it was a breeze.

Other half sat in the back with her whilst I drove, we had one stop but that wasn't needed. No pee, poop or sick. She's been a great car traveller ever since.

MyAnacondaMight · 11/03/2023 08:51

It’ll be fine. Pack puppy pads, old towels and wet wipes, as there may be bodily functions to clean up. Don’t give any treats on the journey, but puppy will probably travel better snuggled up to someone/something warm.

Original poster
Jackwiththelazyeye · 11/03/2023 08:54

sm40 · 11/03/2023 08:44

We need pictures! My lab is now 2.
We had an hour journey. Had one of those car crates things and she could see us. Left a towel in there and she did do a wee. She cried a bit and went to sleep. If you can cope I would just go straight home and reassure her on the way.
I was more worried about the first night but that was fine too.

Thank you. As soon as he is home I will post pictures I promise!!

He is gorgeous (aren't all puppies??)

It's ridiculous really because it's only 8 years since our last puppy but I feel like I've forgotten so much!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Jackwiththelazyeye · 11/03/2023 08:57

tizwozliz · 11/03/2023 08:48

We had a slightly over 2 hour journey home with our lab pup. I was absolutely dreading the journey but it was a breeze.

Other half sat in the back with her whilst I drove, we had one stop but that wasn't needed. No pee, poop or sick. She's been a great car traveller ever since.

Thank you - that gives me more confidence! I think I will be the one sitting in the back with him so I will take heart from your experience!

OP posts:
Original poster
Jackwiththelazyeye · 11/03/2023 09:00

MyAnacondaMight · 11/03/2023 08:51

It’ll be fine. Pack puppy pads, old towels and wet wipes, as there may be bodily functions to clean up. Don’t give any treats on the journey, but puppy will probably travel better snuggled up to someone/something warm.

Thank you - DH did say he might post a nice blanket to the breeder to get Mum's smell on for us to wrap around puppy on the way home.
Puppy pads are a great idea - I think we did that with last puppy too.

OP posts:
MzHz · 11/03/2023 09:01

We did almost 2 hours with our OES. It went fine! Bit whiny to begin with but he sat between dh and ds in the back and got loads of cuddles and reassurance

pee pads! Just in case :)

Original poster
Jackwiththelazyeye · 11/03/2023 09:03

MzHz · 11/03/2023 09:01

We did almost 2 hours with our OES. It went fine! Bit whiny to begin with but he sat between dh and ds in the back and got loads of cuddles and reassurance

pee pads! Just in case :)

Thank you - was he in a crate or just on pee pads/towels/blankets on the back seat?

OP posts:
IngGenius · 11/03/2023 09:03

Agree pop in a comfy dog crate with a passenger near by. Take spare towels in case puppy is sick or wees (and a plastic bag to put them in)

Personally I would not stop but just drive back.

A good breeder should have taken the puppies out in the car before the long drive home which does help the puppies to be more relaxed on the journey home. I would ask your breeder to do this. If the puppies all go in the car together the car will have a more positive association.

Pileofjeans · 11/03/2023 09:05

We had a similar journey with ours and I had him on my lap while dp drove. I cuddled him on a pee pad on a blanket from his mum. He was absolutely fine after a little cry. We've seen used much safer methods for car journeys of course and he's always been absolutely fine in the car! Enjoy 🐾

Original poster
Jackwiththelazyeye · 11/03/2023 09:09

IngGenius · 11/03/2023 09:03

Agree pop in a comfy dog crate with a passenger near by. Take spare towels in case puppy is sick or wees (and a plastic bag to put them in)

Personally I would not stop but just drive back.

A good breeder should have taken the puppies out in the car before the long drive home which does help the puppies to be more relaxed on the journey home. I would ask your breeder to do this. If the puppies all go in the car together the car will have a more positive association.

Thank you - that is a great idea - I will contact the breeder today to ask them if they have already taken the pups out in the car - he is having his first jab and chip before we get him so presume all the pups will be going in the car together for that.
We won't want to have to stop if we can help it.

OP posts:
whatthehelldowecare · 11/03/2023 09:10

We did 7 hours bringing our youngest mini dachshund home and it was a bloody nightmare 🥲 he spewed literally about 20 times and it was so stressful

He did completely grow out of it though within about 4 months, so even if the journey is less easy don't worry! Hopefully just short term. We're driving from Scotland to France in the summer with him, and not expecting any difficulties!

Pic of a tiny pup on that infamous journey, just because 😊

2 hour car journey to bring new puppy home
timeforchampagne · 11/03/2023 09:13

Send two blankets, it’s likely the one used in the car might need a wash.

make sure they wee/poo before you leave, our breeder had them all running about when we arrived so pup had been to toilet and was tired from playing and pup slept the whole way home on my lap

Original poster
Jackwiththelazyeye · 11/03/2023 09:13

Pileofjeans · 11/03/2023 09:05

We had a similar journey with ours and I had him on my lap while dp drove. I cuddled him on a pee pad on a blanket from his mum. He was absolutely fine after a little cry. We've seen used much safer methods for car journeys of course and he's always been absolutely fine in the car! Enjoy 🐾

Thank you - this would be my preferred way of doing it if I'm honest! DH will most likely want him crated for safety though (which I agree with in theory!)
We do want him to be a good traveller in the car - we love to go on camping holidays so he will need to be happy with long journeys as he gets older! And sleep quietly in a tent - but that is another thread for another time!!

OP posts:
mycatsanutter · 11/03/2023 09:15

Ours mainly slept but opened her eyes a few times and looked at me with a sad face , that didn't last long thou . Lab pups are so chubby and cute ❤️

Original poster
Jackwiththelazyeye · 11/03/2023 09:16

whatthehelldowecare · 11/03/2023 09:10

We did 7 hours bringing our youngest mini dachshund home and it was a bloody nightmare 🥲 he spewed literally about 20 times and it was so stressful

He did completely grow out of it though within about 4 months, so even if the journey is less easy don't worry! Hopefully just short term. We're driving from Scotland to France in the summer with him, and not expecting any difficulties!

Pic of a tiny pup on that infamous journey, just because 😊

Thank you.
He is gorgeous!!!
I am in awe of your 7 hour journey - and pleased for you that he travels well now!
Was he in a bed for that journey? Did he stay in the bed or try to wander?

OP posts:
Original poster
Jackwiththelazyeye · 11/03/2023 09:18

timeforchampagne · 11/03/2023 09:13

Send two blankets, it’s likely the one used in the car might need a wash.

make sure they wee/poo before you leave, our breeder had them all running about when we arrived so pup had been to toilet and was tired from playing and pup slept the whole way home on my lap

Thank you - great idea re: 2 blankets.
I'm sure the breeder will do that - but will double check with them before hand.
Our last pup had a lot of running around with her sister before we brought her home and that probably helped a lot - she also had a blanket from mum.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jackwiththelazyeye · 11/03/2023 09:19

mycatsanutter · 11/03/2023 09:15

Ours mainly slept but opened her eyes a few times and looked at me with a sad face , that didn't last long thou . Lab pups are so chubby and cute ❤️

I can't wait for the lab chubbiness!!!

OP posts:
whatthehelldowecare · 11/03/2023 09:20

@Jackwiththelazyeye I had him on my lap for the first part of the journey with puppy pads and a blanket, but after spew 4 or 5 we stopped and I moved into the back with him and he sat in the seat you can see in the pic. It's huge because we bought it to fit him and his brother, so he was able to move about enough in there. Lifted him out now and then for cuddles and it was fine!

We did 4 hours to get his brother and that was absolutely fine, did it in one without stopping or any hassle at all!

Original poster
Jackwiththelazyeye · 11/03/2023 09:24

@whatthehelldowecare bless him!!
I may try the lap with the crate as back up

OP posts:
TrashyPanda · 11/03/2023 09:27

I brought each of mine home on my lap.
similar journey length
both were absolutely fine.
think that bonding time, being so close to me, really worked, as neither cried at all.

whowhatwerewhy · 11/03/2023 10:21

DH had to fetch our last puppy on his own , 1 1/2 h trip . He put her on an old towel in a crate in his boot . Never herd a peep out of her , he had planned a few stops but she was as good as gold so he didn't stop .
She had a blanket with her moms sent on but was more than happy to cuddle up to one of her new ' brothers ' at night.

BeansOnToast32 · 11/03/2023 11:54

I did a 2hour train journey with my pup! Didn't want to drive because it'd have taken longer and I had nobody to go with me and I wouldn't have been able to comfort the puppy if she became distressed.

Took a carrier lined with puppy pads and a blanket, treats, water, poo bags, and toys. She cried for the first 5 mins in the carrier but when I sat on the train I took her out and put her on my lap and she slept the whole way home.

EraOfTheGrey · 11/03/2023 15:37

whatthehelldowecare · 11/03/2023 09:10

We did 7 hours bringing our youngest mini dachshund home and it was a bloody nightmare 🥲 he spewed literally about 20 times and it was so stressful

He did completely grow out of it though within about 4 months, so even if the journey is less easy don't worry! Hopefully just short term. We're driving from Scotland to France in the summer with him, and not expecting any difficulties!

Pic of a tiny pup on that infamous journey, just because 😊

I like that box...I have 2 small dogs and they are currently in their own wee car box beds but I think it would be handy to have them in the same one. Can I ask where you got yours from?

Newpeep · 11/03/2023 15:41

3 hours here. She sat on my lap on vet bed for the journey home and slept for most of it. OH drove. It was no problem at all. She threw up twice but it went onto the vet bed.

Her breeder had been doing short car journeys with the pups from 5 weeks so that helped.