So I have been reading a lot about the first night, crate training, first few days, and all of that info is great. What I can't find is a post about the drive home from the breeder. I will be getting my puppy from a breeder that is approximately 3 hours away. I already accept the fact that I should probably stop at least twice in that period of time, but what I am not sure on is what I should bring.

My thoughts lead me to believe bringing a friend with me to drive and me holding the pup would be best, that way he/she isn't in a crate for 3 hours right after leaving its mother. If this is a bad idea, please let me know. If you think a crate is a good idea, how big should it be for a 8-week puppy?

I have sent an email asking the breeder's advice but I figured it'd be good to post it on here as well.

What Lani said for the drive home. You may want to get a smaller travel crate if a regular size crate can't fit in your car. On a side note, I would get a 42 or 48 inch wire crate, depending on how big the dog would be (judging by parents should give you a clue) and then use a divider so you can make the space bigger as he/she grows and not have to keep buying a new crate

when I picked the girls up from our breeder it was a nine hour drive. They were crated, we made regular stops to make sure their needs were met....but for the most part they were quiet and sleeping the whole ride. They were in an adult sized crate with towels for comfort and/or accidents.

I do not suggest holding the pup unrestrained. It is no different than holding a child in your lap while driving, it's dangerous. Though we never plan on getting in a car accident they do happen, hence the term accident...after a friend of mine recently in a car accident, her dogs could have easily been killed in....never travel with your pets unrestrained.

Shouldn't you be studying for finals, or better yet sleeping, and not on the forum at 1:30 in the morning?

I kid, I kid!

(Ryan is one of my students here)

When I got Ghost, we had a 6 hour ride home from the breeder. I did go by myself because Aaron had to work, and at 10 weeks old she was small enough to ride in a large cat carrier. She did really well, and I think I stopped 3 times on the way home. Do be a little cautious with letting the little one walk around a lot outside, I know people who bring newspaper to put down for small puppies on road trips to minimize the parvo risk.

Lani brings up a really good point with the whole unrestrained thing, and that is definitely a big concern. Better to be safe than sorry, and have your little guy restrained in a small crate in the car. Even if you have a friend driving and sit with the crate like in the back seat or something.

Have you gotten any more word on when you're getting your little one?

Finals: ha, i'm a senior

I was up until 0130 because i took Jack3d and lifted at 9:30; not the smartest move ever. Then I was BOOW so I had to submit the 0800, and I just wasn't tired until 2.

I went ahead and purchased a crate off of wag.com, I figured I'd have a friend drive and see how it goes. It is the size you recommended with a divider. I am assuming a folded towel will work as a pad for now (is this sufficient?).

As for when, she said at the 8 week mark I'd get the pup. That puts it at about June 14 or 15. I hope it is the 14th because the girlfriend gets in the 15th and that'd be a LOT of traveling that day (airports in Ohio aren't exactly plentiful).

Is it bad that the new countdown in my phone is to June 14 and not May 24?

ryan.benroth wrote:

Finals: ha, i'm a senior

I know, I'm really deluding myself to think that any of you guys are studying that hard for your finals

ryan.benroth wrote:

I was up until 0130 because i took Jack3d and lifted at 9:30; not the smartest move ever. Then I was BOOW so I had to submit the 0800, and I just wasn't tired until 2.

Ah, firstie problems...

ryan.benroth wrote:

Is it bad that the new countdown in my phone is to June 14 and not May 24?

Wow...