Bringing Puppy Home

[Anastasia]

We have a 5 hour drive to pick up our puppy so we are going to need a collar and leash for potty stops. Any recommendations?
He will be 8 weeks to the day. Is he to young for a martingale collar? Would a harness be better?

[Emoore]

I recommend NOT stopping at rest stops or gas stations. Since your pup hasn't had his full series of shots yet, he's very vulnerable to diseases that might be carried by other dogs that pottied in that area before. Try to do bathroom stops in places other dogs won't have been.

I would use a harness so he can't slip out.

[Stosh]

I'd suggest a crate since he'll need a nap in 5 hrs time. A t shirt you've worn and a stuffed animal will help. Our breeder gave us a small towel that had been with the litter so the smell would be on it- maybe bring one of your own and have his mom and litter mates if possible walk on it before you take him. I only had an hour's drive so despite my best laid plan of crating my pup, I held him the whole way home and we were in love by the time we got home. I'm sure you will be too

[Anastasia]

Originally Posted by Emoore

I recommend NOT stopping at rest stops or gas stations. Since your pup hasn't had his full series of shots yet, he's very vulnerable to diseases that might be carried by other dogs that pottied in that area before. Try to do bathroom stops in places other dogs won't have been.

I would use a harness so he can't slip out.

I was planning on stopping at a rest stop and taking him away from the crowd. Those places usually have large grassy spaces so I figured we could go off the beaten path so to speak. I never even considered a different location all together. Thanks for mentioning it, I will keep it in mind and look for alternative stops.

Originally Posted by Stosh

I'd suggest a crate since he'll need a nap in 5 hrs time. A t shirt you've worn and a stuffed animal will help. Our breeder gave us a small towel that had been with the litter so the smell would be on it- maybe bring one of your own and have his mom and litter mates if possible walk on it before you take him. I only had an hour's drive so despite my best laid plan of crating my pup, I held him the whole way home and we were in love by the time we got home. I'm sure you will be too

We were planning on a crate and I was thinking about bringing a towel or one of those toys with no stuffing to rub on his Mom and litter mates. I wasn't sure if that was a good idea or if it would be problematic for him when he can smell them but can't find them.

[robk]

Bring extra towels and an air freshener so you can clean up the car if he throws up on the way home......(speaking from experience!)

[selzer]

I second avoiding rest stops. Lots of people potty their dogs there. If you go to somewhere to eat, use the grassy area there, and use a doggy bag to pick up after the dog.

Also, puppy proof your house first, and buy all that you need. Don't take your pup to PetsMart yet -- don't even bring him in and put him in the cart. People cannot resist petting little puppies, that is ok, but you don't know how many other dogs they have petted that day. Young puppies and Geriatric dogs are the most susceptable to diseases, sometimes diseases that do not even phase an otherwise healthy adult.

Some of the things that would be good to have at home:
A crate -- either wire or airline, soft crates are not the best for puppies as they can often chew through them.

A baby gate.

Food and water dishes.

Call the breeder and ask what kind of food she has the pups on, and go pick some up.

Toys, rubber and rope.

Training treats (Zukes mini-naturals are great) never to early to think about it.

An ex-pen can be awesome inside and/or outside (while you are with him).

Collar and leash, I like the harness idea, that or a martingale.

Some oatmeal dog shampoo -- hopefully it won't be necessary, but you never know when he will roll is something really foul.

A large raw meaty knuckle bone for him to work on in his crate

A long line (cotton lead 15 or 20' long) if you have no fence (not to tether him outside with, but to take him out with so he can explore your yard and be safe.

An enzyme cleaner specifically for pet odors. Mistakes have to be cleaned up so that dogs cannot smell and revisit the spot.

And it would not hurt to talk to your vet clinic, set up a first appointment for the pup, and ask what their puppy schedule is, ie shots, etc. Write this down, and take it with you, and discuss it with the breeder. Be sure to bring the health record she gives you. You will not want to repeat vaccinations more than what is necessary, and your breeder can help you make the best decisions in that area. Also you will want to know when and with what worming took place.

Good luck on the new puppy.

[mebully21]

a martingale should be fine, be careful with a harness that he doesnt chew it off if you forget to take it off him at night. leash, vari kennel, some water and a bowl. dont feed him on the trip back so that you avoid him throwing up.

if you are going to stop for potty breaks go far away from where other people and their dogs go. he might even sleep the whole way home so you might not have to stop