Long Car Trip with 8w/o?

[Sinead86]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking around the forums for a few weeks now and have learned a lot! I'm a new Rottie owner and am picking up my new puppy tomorrow afternoon and he will be exactly 8 weeks old. My question is the breeder is a good two hour drive from our house so once we pick him up he'll be subjected to a long car ride. I'm expecting to take lots of pee-breaks in the trip in low population areas (actually most of the drive is through farm land), but was wondering if anyone had suggestions on how to make this trip as comfortable as possible. Also, since it will be in the fear-imprint stage I don't want him to develop a fear of the car since being taken away from his dam and littermates will be stressful enough! I have a small crate for the car and I won't be driving in case you think holding him in my lap will be a better idea? Thanks so much for any advice!

[observer]

Two hours is not a really long trip. I'll bet he sleeps most of the way. The small crate is much safer for him than having him on your lap... you should be able to secure the crate in the back seat. I don't think he'll be afraid of the car at all. Perhaps put a blanket or towel that smells of his current home in the crate, with a safe toy. He should be fine.

[MarieM]

We drove 11 hrs. back home with Tex at 8 weeks with no problems. We stopped at a hotel one night and made plenty of potty breaks - just be sure you don't take him potty where other dogs have been as he will be very suseptible to parvo!

[jazzking1971]

my dog flew from holland at 8wks. Then I picked him up in LA and drove to Phoenix.

[brunie's mom]

We made a 7 hour trip home with our 8 week old from the breeders. We stopped a couple of times to offer water, and have a pee. Most puppies will be fine without stopping for two hours...or just one quick stop.

I know it is safer in a crate...but we did not bother with the crate...she slept on my lap all of the way home. Great way to start bonding...and very hard to resist this furry ball.

Have fun with your new puppy.

Gina

[Sinead86]

Thanks for the reassurance! I was 90% sure of using the crate but part of me wanted to cuddle him of course, but then again I have 10-12 years of that ahead of me I was also going to get the breeder to rub the litter and the dam with a blanket to soothe him. Thanks again!!

[brunie's mom]

Yes...we took a towel and rubbed with it, as well as a soft toy (lamb man).
I took the crate, and thought if puppy got restless, I would put her in it...but she was happy to be on my lap.

Gina

[ZoesMomma]

Our trip home with Zoe was close to two hours. We have an SUV, so I set up the rear area with a few toys and a little bed, along with a small crate. I rode in the back with her while my husband drove and she slept in my lap most of the time. She was also quite interested in looking out the window. She's been a great traveler ever since.

[brookwood]

Knowing the power of puppies, take a crate but my bet is the pup will ride in your lap!!! Congrats!

[imjuss2nasty]

Congrats, you must be very very excited. 2 hours is nothing, I bet your pup will sleep on your lap the entire way home =)

[SABELLESMOM]

Our trip was 6-7 hours, as I recall. Like most everyone, I had a secured crate. She spent the trip sitting on my lap (towel) looking very intently at me. She studied, and thought. She was always a full of confidence kind of pup, and she showed it from the first minute.

Sleep? What is sleep! I like to look at Mom and Dad, and out the window! Brave little girls won't be sleeping... if they can help it. She did snooze, eventually. We stopped every 2 hours or so. She was just fine and a full ball of energy when we got home. Sable had to jump on the couch to get out of the way.

Two hours? Piece of cake! Have fun!

[hast]

Mandy flew from NJ to NC where I picked her up and drove about 4 hrs to get home. I stopped frequently to give her a potty break, but she didn't go until we got home so she could roam for a while. To this day she's picky with where she goes and not, she can hold it forever if needed. LOL