What would you do?

[I Miss Shelby]

I will be picking up my new puppy on Monday. It will be a 1 1/2 hour drive home and i am not sure how to transport him home. I have a crate/carrier so i can strap that to the seat. My concern is , which is better. To have him secured in the crate and let him settle down on the ride home w/less stimulation OR can I keep him in my lap (I'm not the driver) to relax and comfort him? Would that be to much stress/over-stimulation? I thought about starting out with him on my lap and if I need to, I can stop part way home and put him in the crate for the remainder of the drive. I just want what's best for him. TIA

[yellowmellie]

If it were me (I'm sure some would disagree) I would keep him in my lap to comfort him. When I bought Kaba, I was the driver and I still had her in my lap. She pretty much always rides in my lap (there are no highways here, no speed limit is over about 40 miles an hour).

[memphismomma]

it might ba a matter of how much self control you have cause if it were me i would not be able to control myslef form wanting him on my lap and in my face giving me kisses and holding him up and evey stop light to show him off but thats me lol

[cdawnfine]

It would probably be best for both of you if the pup was in the crate and you were sitting next to it. When you pick the pup up ask for something that smells like it's home that you can put in the crate with the puppy. Remember a lot of puppies get car sick, and it is not fun to have a puppy sitting on your lap and throwing up. Also being in the crate is added protection for the puppy.

[chachi]

I would bring your baby home in a crate. Its safer

[winstonw]

I just got winston in December,and it was an hour or so drive and I was not the driver. I held the little guy and he did so good!! I don't think he ever cried once coming home or after he was home. We definitely bonded on the trip home!! I took a comfy blanky for him and you might want to bring along a puppy pad, although we didn't need it. congrats on the new baby!!

[puppy_Love08]

Originally Posted by I Miss Shelby

I will be picking up my new puppy on Monday. It will be a 1 1/2 hour drive home and i am not sure how to transport him home. I have a crate/carrier so i can strap that to the seat. My concern is , which is better. To have him secured in the crate and let him settle down on the ride home w/less stimulation OR can I keep him in my lap (I'm not the driver) to relax and comfort him? Would that be to much stress/over-stimulation? I thought about starting out with him on my lap and if I need to, I can stop part way home and put him in the crate for the remainder of the drive. I just want what's best for him. TIA

I would keep the small crate on your lap, wrap the seatbelt around it and you. That way your puppy will be protected but still comforted by being with you.

[MyAngel]

Originally Posted by I Miss Shelby

I will be picking up my new puppy on Monday. It will be a 1 1/2 hour drive home and i am not sure how to transport him home. I have a crate/carrier so i can strap that to the seat. My concern is , which is better. To have him secured in the crate and let him settle down on the ride home w/less stimulation OR can I keep him in my lap (I'm not the driver) to relax and comfort him? Would that be to much stress/over-stimulation? I thought about starting out with him on my lap and if I need to, I can stop part way home and put him in the crate for the remainder of the drive. I just want what's best for him. TIA

Congrats on your new little one. I would place him in the crate for the drive home. Safer that way. I bet once he is settled in the crate he will sleep all the way home. What if you had to stop short while driving, etc. You can have the crate facing you.

[MaxwellHouse]

With Brutus, our first drive after buying him, we had a 3 hours and he was in a soft carrier that I could stick my hand in while I drove until my son insisted I concentrate on driving - so he kept his hand on him for me. 12 years later, we were both there with him when he died.

Then with Maxwell, it was 3 hours by plane, then overnight with a 2 hour drive. He threw up in the crate before we even got on the plane (I had to clean it out 4x), but now he is now a great car traveller in the crate. He loves it. I worry about dogs in laps due to the airbag could go off even with a fender bender.

I vote for securing them for security.

[4doggiemama]

Originally Posted by MaxwellHouse

I worry about dogs in laps due to the airbag could go off even with a fender bender.
I vote for securing them for security.

[RustysMom]

Hold a soft carrier on your lap!

[I Miss Shelby]

Thanks everybody for all of your great thoughts and suggestions. As always, you guys are the best. I've waited months for him to be born and ready to come home with me. I just hope that I have the self restraint to be able to take my hands off of him once we're in the car!

[yellowmellie]

Originally Posted by puppy_Love08

I would keep the small crate on your lap, wrap the seatbelt around it and you. That way your puppy will be protected but still comforted by being with you.

I think if you did that and you *did* get into an accident that would be really bad for you!

[Patti]

When I brought Roxie and Dixie home I had them in a carrier on my lap and kept my hand on them. I wasn't the driver. When we were not on the highway I took Roxie out but she seemed less afraid in the carrier with my hand on her. You must be so excited!!!

[MindieRose]

Originally Posted by yellowmellie

I think if you did that and you *did* get into an accident that would be really bad for you!

No kidding, I didnt think of that. When I take one of my furkids with me, they are never crated. They usually just sit on one of the kids' laps in the back seat.