12 hour trip with 2 puppies~ tips please

[JadeD]

It is almost time to go pick up our new babies!

This is what I have for the trip:

A crate big enough for both of them.
Several (probably 20+ pee pads)
A few towels
A couple baby blankets
Puppy Food (same as what they are on now)
Food and water dishes (will have bottled water)
Nutri-Cal
Paper towels
poop bags (in case they just poop on a pee pad, I can remove it and dispose of it)
I do have a small harness and leash for each of them but do not expect to need them as they are staying in the car for the trip, but I packed them just in case of an unforseen emergency.

Am I missing anything important?

Any pointers on getting them home with as little stress as possible on a trip that will be all day?

We are driving and they will be in the back seat with the crate secured back there. I may sit back there at times with them to keep them company and talk to them, etc. If I have to take a turn driving though they will just have to be okay being in the back seat because my husband is not going to fit back there with them to keep them company. LOL He will drive most of the way usually, sometimes all of it.

[dawn27]

The water and Nutrical are the two most important things to have. Although it is important that they eat, I wouldn't count on them eating much due to the stress and motion of the trip and if they do they would probably end up throwing it up, lets hope not but be prepared.. Plus its not uncommon for pups to not want to eat or eat very little during the transition process. Definitely keep them warm.

I would also suggest a blanket or a couple of stuffed animals or a blanket with mommy and litter mate scent on it. If you could ask the breeder to have the mommy and mates sleep on it a few nights before you get there that would work. Or what I do is wrap them in one of the used/unwashed blankets that was used by them. That way it stays somewhat clean and poop free.

Congrats and safe travels !

[Nancy1999]

How old are they? We had to only travel 45 minutes, but our breeder warned us about car sickness, she said her pups weren't prone to it, but many are and we should be aware. Good idea on the Nutri-cal, especially if they get upset tummies. I wish you the best of luck!

[JadeD]

They will be 10 weeks old on Monday (the day I am bringing them home). I will be seeing them on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then picking them up on Monday morning. I hope that seeing me 3 days in a row and me playing with them will ease their anxiety with going with me.

I know that they don't remember us visiting them for several days a month ago.

I am bringing lots of supplies for car sickness accidents!

I am preparing for the worst and hoping for the best! LOL

[Wylie's Mom]

This might be helpful too....

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/tra...you-bring.html

[gemy]

Truthfully I would shorten my stay to visit with the pups by one day and take two days to return. 12hrs in a car is a very long trip for young pups


Pick a spot mid point home and make sure you know where the nearest emergency vet is. And also pre book with your home vet the wellness examination for the day after you return. It will mean one overnight stay in a motel 6 or super8 but I am assuming you are paying for a motel when you are visiting the pups so not extra money really.


I would also ask the breeder and your vet about anything the pups could have to prevent car sickness.


I would have the minimum sized crate that can fit two pups in it and make sure it is attached securely within the car. You don't want the crate to become a missile should an accident happen. Make sure you travel with their health records and have a case in emergency call info.

[JadeD]

We have to make the trip in one day. We don't stay in motels at all as the puppies are located in our home town.

I am sure they will do well though. The crate will be belted in so it won't move around.

Wish me luck!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by gemy

Truthfully I would shorten my stay to visit with the pups by one day and take two days to return. 12hrs in a car is a very long trip for young pups


Pick a spot mid point home and make sure you know where the nearest emergency vet is. And also pre book with your home vet the wellness examination for the day after you return. It will mean one overnight stay in a motel 6 or super8 but I am assuming you are paying for a motel when you are visiting the pups so not extra money really.


I would also ask the breeder and your vet about anything the pups could have to prevent car sickness.


I would have the minimum sized crate that can fit two pups in it and make sure it is attached securely within the car. You don't want the crate to become a missile should an accident happen. Make sure you travel with their health records and have a case in emergency call info.

I really think you have made some excellent suggestions and I hope the OP considers doing them.

[Lovetodream88]

I think it would be best for them to stay with the breeder until 12 weeks and not travel until then because even then they could get stressed out and get hypoglycemia. They need to be fed every couple of hours. I personally think keeping them together if they are siblings might be better then separating them. I also suggest someone riding with them in the back seat at all times. You have to keep in mind that this is brand new for them and is going to be scary. Also about the 12 week thing at 10 weeks there is still so much they need to learn and it really is better for them to stay with there mom those 2 extra weeks. If someone is not in the back with them you will not know if they throw up, have an accident or get hypoglycemic.

[JadeD]

I visited them twice today! I think they will make the trip just fine. They are going to do well.

Getting them in 2 weeks is not an option as they are 12 hours from us and I am here now. Also, mine are the last 2 left and they are going home at 10 weeks.

The mama dog doesn't want anything to do with them as it is anyway.

The car we are traveling is so tiny that it is almost like I will be in the back seat. We are a very small Saturn and they will be within reach of me even if I up front as it almost a 2 seater, but it does have a back seat.

Wish us luck, but having spent several hours with them and I will see them tomorrow evening and a lot on Sunday I am sure they will be fine.

[maxdog]

Good luck on the trip home! I am sure everything will be fine.

[chestermama]

make sure they are not outsie where they can piuck up stuff, because of shots, Im sure thats why you have lots of potty pads, good luck

[dawn27]

How are they on their shots. My one concern is that you do not travel on the same day that they receive shots. That coupled with the added stress of travel can be quite the draining effect on their little bodies.

[LunarBerry]

It might not hurt to get one of those attachable fans for the crates (especially the ones that you can freeze the "fan" part), would be good if you plan to travel lots in the future and them in their crates during warm/hot seasons, or maybe one of those cooling pet pads.

[JadeD]

They have not had any shots and will not be exiting the car. I brought lots of pads so hopefully this will all work out well.

They have an appointment to start there shots already this week. They will not be going anywhere or even outside at home until they have their shots and will not go out in public until they have a couple sets at least.

They are very healthy and I think they will make the trip well. My puppy loves me already! He slept in my arms so sweetly. I saw them twice on Friday and also last night and will see them again today before I pick them up tomorrow morning.

They are super sweet and adorable too!

I think they are big for their age, but not really sure. I will get their weights when I get home. Raksha is bigger than Rowan. We will see if they stay that way. I got to see 2 of their 3 siblings while I was there!

A neighbor up the street took the smallest of the litter and she was outside with her when I was on my way to see my puppies and I pulled the car over and pointed out the puppy to my step daughter as a sibling to mine. The lady brought her over and I told her I was getting the remaining 2 of my friends puppies and she handed me her puppy in the car and let me hold her! Only I. The town I grew up in! Lol. I let my step daughter hold her while I talked to the lady and we talked about the lady that used to own the house she lives in, and how I loved to spend the night there because my best friend growing up was her granddaughter. Lol. Small towns are awesome. I miss that place so much.

We should pick them up around 8 tomorrow. It is very difficult to log in to Yorkie Talk on my phone so I probably won't unless I have a problem, or maybe I can throw an update on about halfway if I can get it to come up.

Thanks!