Our breeder was also over 5 hours away...and our pup did fine on his first roadtrip
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I brought a small plastic type crate (cat kind) and I put a towel in it (in case of accidents)...but ended up having our puppy on my lap and hubby driving most of the way home.
I know it's not safe,etc. But honestly, who can resist an 8 week old puppy??
We stopped every couple of hours...we took smaller highways where there was easier places to stop and pull over. Church parking lots are good areas....usually no dogs have been there, and it's quiet and safe.
Pack some water and a small bowl, and some small dog treats. We did not feed him his lunch meal on the way home...waited till we got home and fed him a bigger dinner.
Take a soft, fleece type of toy and rub it all over the puppies mother and the other litter mates if they are still there. It really helps to give the puppy comfort the first couple of nights to have something smelling like his clan when he is alone.
Take a light collar and light leash...and some papertowels, plastic bags,etc.
Baxter never had an accident on the way home...he also peed and had a poop on our rest stops.
Good-luck with your puppy.
Gina