We went to Cambridgeshire to get Loki and it was a 2 hour drive. I packed: Black bin liner (in case he was sick or pooed and needed to bag it) Puppy pads A fleece blanket I wore old clothes in case of an accident. My breeder didn't feed him before the car journey to minimise chance of vomit, may be worth asking your breeder to not feed directly before collection. He didn't pee or vomit luckily. It's up to you if you want to crate him for the journey but I held Loki on my lap. He cried and cried and howled for most of the way then fell asleep on me. The woke and cried more. So be prepared for that to happen. I'm sure other's will be able to add other valuable points x
Just one thing I'd suggest for your list...... The best thing of all that we got for Pongo was some vetbed (fleece). I found it in Pets At Home, bought a metre length and cut it in two (I was thinking one bit for the house, one for the car). My eyes popped at the price compared to "normal" fleece blankets but I was feeling extravagant so bought it anyway. It was the best value thing EVER. It was instantly Pongo's favourite bed, chew-toy, tuggy, comforter, enemy-to-be-destroyed, cuddler, everything. Pongo is now four years old and it is still pretty much perfect (if not quite as white as before!), been washed dozens of times, and looks like it will last another decade. We had a three hour drive when we picked up Pongo. He travelled on my lap in the passenger seat, and by my feet. We took loads of newspaper as well as blanket and his vet-bed; he did have accidents (sick, wee and poo, poor lad) and it meant we could throw the soiled newspaper out at the services so he didn't have to keep smelling it. He had a fairly miserable journey but as soon as we got home we let him have a lovely sniff around and gave him something delicious and he forgot all about it. So exciting! Don't be surprised when you find out that things do go wrong....whatever it is, someone on this forum has had the same problem so please just come back here and talk to us! The puppy days can be challenging, but it is all worth it and they pass so quickly. Which means the most important thing to add to your list is lots and lots of space on your camera for PHOTOS - take more than you can imagine you want, because I promise you'll want to look back on them - your boy will grow up so very very fast!
Thanks again guys. got to go to Barnsley to collect my boy so with out traffic 3.5 hours and ill be driving alone so was planning to crate and expecting id have to make a fair few stops at services. Maybe a puppy pad in back so he can do his business when i pull in (or more likely to clean uphill business)
And he's arrived. Picked him up yesterday and he was so good on the drive home. bit of a bad sleep last night but i think mainly as not used to the crate.
Took the boy out for his 1st walk today. all so exciting. Despite lots of practice on the lead in the garden he wanted to sit down when lead was on him. so had to carry him a bit and bribe him a bit to walk until at a spot where could let him off the lead. then lots of investigating. and walked back better on way back to car. still needed bribing but poodles back at his own pace.
So just a little update. Alfie is now 6 months old and awesome. we've had chewy moments and a few sleepless nights but compared to some stories I've seen on here he's been an angel. Hes confident, friendly and calm (well some of the time) seems happy whatever situation I've put him into. and loves coming to work in the shop with me and big games of fetch (usually bringing customers in following him as well.) Have followed total recall and so far he has been great with that coming back no matter what. We have now moved from London to south Wales so thinking its time to start looking at some gundog training.
Hello and welcome from myself and Mason 1 choc lab. You will just know, they sort of choose you and it depends how many are left when you go and visit how exciting and good luck and keep us posted
Thanks Emma i did and have Alfie now 6 months old. he's awesome. thread was just bumped up as i was giving an update.
It must be because he's from Barnsley that he's so lovely! My little black lab Joy (now nearly 16 months) came from Barnsley and is a complete sweetheart!
