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bringing puppy home in car

11K views 15 replies 10 participants last post by  ZZBlueComet  
#1 ·
I am getting an 8 week old puppy from a reputable breeder. I dont know the best way to bring it home with me in the car. The ride will be 2.5 hours. I could bring the crate and put it in the back of the car, but I doubt the puppy will want to ride back there alone. I WANT to just hold the puppy in my lap, but I dont know how the breeder will feel about that. I asked and they said a carrier would be a good idea. So I was thinking of something like a cat-carrier? Or a small dog carrier? Puppy will weight around 14 pounds I was told at 8 weeks. If the carrier is small enough I could have it on my lab to soothe the puppy.

I dont want to buy a carrier though, so i will try to borrow one. But if I cant, whats the next best thing? Would a box work that has a blanket in it? I could keep it at my feet. Or a laundry basket? I guess my aim is to have the breeder feel satisfied with how I bring the puppy home in the car. I'll probably pick the pup up and hold them once we get on the road (shhh...)
 
#2 ·
I used a cat carrier. Be sure to clean it out really well with bleach to kill any diseases it may have picked up while it was used for the cat.

I wanted nothing more than to cuddle my puppy the whole way home, but my puppy just wanted to curl up in the carrier and sleep. Not a peep from him until we got home and let him explore the house. I sat in the backseat with him in the crate during the drive. I would honestly just crate the pup. It's a great deterrent for potty accidents and it is much safer.
 
#3 ·
I dont think the crate we have will fit in the back of my husband's Prius. Our crate is 31.5"l x 19.5w" x 21.5"h. I should try it out. it MIGHT fit. But then the dog would be in the way back of the car by himself. We have 4 people probably riding in the car to pick up the dog. We have a larger car but its older and I'd rather take the Hybrid because it costs less for gas!
 
#5 ·
Brought a rabbit carrier. Just like Birdman, disinfected though know my rabbits are clean from disease and parasites (fleas, ticks, etc), but you know the adage,
better safe than sorry. Never used it as we (my husband and I) had to drive a whole 3 minutes to pick up pup.

But with 4 people, lots of laps for pup to sit on. No danger I can see other than potty accidents. I would say crate if there was just one person, like Dryfo brought up, very dangerous to have an unattended, wandering pup in the car.

KAZ
 
#8 ·
Puppies Generally crash out in a car. Ruby still does as soon as we start to roll.
From Keystone to Denver (70 some odd miles).

2.5 hours is quite a while though.
 
#9 ·
Put the pup in your lap.. Let him out to pee every hour. With 4 people, there are quit a few laps. I got a pup in Colorado and he rode home to Texas in my wifes lap. Trip was 10+ hours. Forget the carrier, a lap helps him bond. If you are worried, wear jeans and bring a roll of paper towels. He will let you know if he feels the need to go....
 
#10 ·
Listen, if your breeder asked you to use a carrier just use one. You said yourself your breeder is reputable. If you trust your breeder, trust her judgment.

Heaven forbid you get into an accident and your pup takes off because he is scared. Also a crate or carrier can be very calming for a pup as it acts as a safe place for him. Throw in a blanket or stuffed toy from the breeder to make him more comfortable.
 
#12 ·
Yes, this is what I was thinking. But I dont know what size carrier I will need to fit a puppy? I hope to borrow one. Not sure what size to ask for. Pup will be about 14 pounds. The carrier cant be too wide either since it has to fit between 2 passengers, or on the front passengers lap.
 
#13 ·
Problem solved! My neighbor who has a havanese is letting me borrow her Vari Kennel for the ride home from the breeders. The kennel is rated up to 25 pounds and it looks like a lab puppy should easily fit inside. The breeder said the dog should be about 14 pounds when we take it home. And this neighbor's dog is all up to date on vaccines and very well taken care of so I am not worried about diseases. I will wipe out the kennel with some lysol disinfecting bleach wipes before we use it though.