Searched, but did not find anything useful, so..... Our much anticipated new puppy is ready to be wrenched away from her litter and welcomed into the madness of family life here on the farm. Journey distance is a little over 100 miles (about 2.5 hours travel time unless I try and force the old Landy into filling loosening territory) but as fate would have it, I might have to manage the pickup alone. Having devoured the Happy Puppy Handbook (an excellent resource. Thanks Pippa) I know it is recommended to bring another competent adult with you, but for the sake of brevity let's assume I'll be doing this solo. Has anyone had any experience of this, or are there any strategies that may have helped in the past? Thanks in advance. Forgot to add... Happy New Year!!
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted My friend was taken ill and couldn't come with me to get my latest puppy. I borrowed a cat carrier, put a waterproof cover on the passenger seat and towels in the crate. I used the seatbelt round the carrier and my trip was about 2 hours. Obi was slightly sick but the breeder hadn't fed him so it wasn't too bad and I just kept going. Good luck and enjoy!
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted Thanks for that. Encouraging to hear it went well. Do you mind me asking if it was just a regular sized cat carrier?
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted Hi I had Meg in a regular cat carrier on the passenger seat, belted in for quite a few weeks. It worked really well, very safe for her and me. She went into the boot with no bother when she could not fit in it. She grew out of it quickly and by then she was robust enough for the boot. Have fun with your new pup. Loads of fun ahead. Emma and Meg
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted Hi, I did a 5.5 hour journey to bring Chepi home. I wasn't alone but from Chepi's point of view it didn't matter: she went into her crate and slept most of the way. You'll be fine on your own. Let your puppy have a good long play with the other pups and with you, keep her/him awake while you do all of your hand over business, have a wee etc and bite the bullet. It will be fine
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted Yup just a regular cat carrier. It was all crate though, no solid sides. Not sure if that would make any difference but it did mean he could look around (when he wasn't asleep)
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted Some cat carriers are quite small, so for a labrador pup you would need quite a large one We had a small wire dog crate, popped a towel in there and one over the top. It was only an hour drive back and Benson was fine
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted I did an 11 hour drive back to Frankfurt from the UK, with 8-week old Poppy in the footwell by my feet. Obviously I wasn't alone - but she was just fine. So will your puppy be, I'm sure.
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. It's so great to be able to access so much experience. I hope to formalise the arrangements today so I'll keep everyone posted as situation evolves. So exciting!!
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted I borrowed my daughters standard cat carrier to bring Molly. I can just imagine what the cats thought of that when it was returned smelling of dog.
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted [quote author=bbrown link=topic=9304.msg133586#msg133586 date=1420064445] My friend was taken ill and couldn't come with me to get my latest puppy. [/quote] Whaaaat? I didn't know they,I'd have been over like a shot to come with you! ;D The very best of luck on your trip,I'm sure it will be fine....my dog was a lot older ( 5 months) but he had a 12 hour journey inc 8 hour flight UK -Dubai....he arrived totally unperturbed by the trip,they are resilient little fellows and you will be with your pup all the way. Let us know how you manage x
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted So its all arranged for tomorrow! By tomorrow evening the adventure will have begun. Updates and photos to follow.......
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted [quote author=Dexter link=topic=9304.msg133927#msg133927 date=1420188335] [quote author=bbrown link=topic=9304.msg133586#msg133586 date=1420064445] My friend was taken ill and couldn't come with me to get my latest puppy. [/quote] Whaaaat? I didn't know they,I'd have been over like a shot to come with you! ;D [/quote] Next time for sure
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted Well, I'm sure it comes as no surprise to everyone that "Abbey" and I had a wonderfully uneventful trip home last Saturday. Perched in the ancient small animal crate (small as in badger, etc) on the passenger seat she had an initial vomit but spent the rest of the journey curled up and snoring for the most part. So to finish out this thread, thanks for all the advice and may I present to you.... Quietly Sleeping by mccabe_ciaran, on Flickr
Re: Bringing a puppy home unassisted ahhhhhhhh, adorable. i love the puppy velvet paws. Wish they stayed like that for ever. I bet you car smells wonderfull now, nothing like new puppy smell.
