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Carriers for bringing dog home

3K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  Foster's Mom 
#1 ·
I will have a 5-6 hour drive bringing puppy home at 8 weeks. What type of carrier should I use, and what size?

I'm thinking that it will be mid-afternoon by the time we begin the drive home. Am I correct in thinking that we should plan to drive straight home, and not stay in a hotel (as we don't know if the dog will howl all night long)?

I am thinking of two carrier options:

* Petmate Navigator with a "grow with me" divider panel. This is a traditional plastic carrier. I'd get a medium size to be used in the car and as a crate during puppyhood. When the dog outgrows it, I'd switch to the traditional wire crate.

* K&H manufacturing car safety carrier. These are soft-sided carriers specifically designed to be used in the car and strap on with the car's seatbelt. In the home, I'd use a traditional wire crate.

Are there other, better ideas and suggestions?
 
#2 ·
A carrier is always the safest option, small plastic with a blanket will do. I also had a 6 hr drive but choose to have someone else drive so I could hold my puppy through the trip. Most puppies will sleep much of the trip but will require a few potty breaks along the way. Then I put the pup in bed with me so no crying.
It's all depends on what works for you.
 
#5 ·
If you're not the one driving, may I recommend holding the puppy? Only for the first drive home of course. It's just comforting to the puppy and to you - you waited for so long and are now reaping the benefits of that waiting. Plus, in a couple of months, s/he won't fit on your lap anymore!
 
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#6 ·
But it's not very safe in the case of an accident. I'd go with a carrier of some kind, belted in, and you can sit beside him and keep him company.

I'd drive straight home for sure. You'll want to plan to stop a few times to let him out to pee. Choose more isolated areas where it is less likely that other dogs are stopping, as he won't have all his vaccines yet. Let him sleep, but as soon as he wakes up, stop asap and take him to pee.

Housetraining is hard work - no need to start off dealing with a hotel room and the risk of accidents there.
 
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#8 ·
You're not. Sweet girl is right, holding a puppy is not safe in the case of an accident, a carrier is much safer. 6 hours is a long time to hold a puppy and there's a lot of opportunity for an accident to happen in 6 hours. Better safe than sorry imo.
 
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#9 ·
I am now leaning toward a soft carrier that secures to the car with a seatbelt, with me sitting beside the dog...and I can also hold him. This type of carrier will be useful after the drive home as I take my pup in the car on socialization outings.

I was definitely thinking about driving straight home. If we did stay at a hotel, I would bring a folding wire crate (same as at home) as well as a portable soft-sided "playpen" with a plastic placed underneath. I also would request a first-floor room close to a door!...although I am sure accidents can happen. I also do not want to disturb others in the event the puppy had a difficult first night.

My breeder said she brought her pup home in a cardboard box, and I might get one. But her drive was only 1-2 hours.

I also saved prior forum posts on this topic, which have been very helpful!
 
#12 ·
Have a look at a Sherpa carrier. It can be secured to the car with a seat belt, and the top opens so that you could have the pup in it, but with his head sticking out.

Here's one option to think about - drive up the day before pick up - stay in a hotel and get a good night's sleep. Then pick up pup and be bright and well rested for the five hour trip home. It will likely wind up being more like 6-7 hour with puppy stops.
 
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#13 ·
Hi I'm new on here but we had a 7 hour drive with our 7.5 week pup and we were told best to hold her otherwise goes off crates! It worked for us, I had her on back seat and went between blankets toys and me. Stopped once and gave her run of our boot and a drink then continued. A window slightly open helped too and she slept a lot.
 
#14 ·
I sat with mine on his way home; however, I highly recommend his crate for use at home. The divider was perfect when he was little; puppies prefer a smaller den-like space. Once he got bigger, we easily removed the divider and now he has tons of room. Also, the wire sides make it easy for him to see us (as opposed to the hard plastic sided ones). The bottom of it slides out to be cleaned if needed, and the whole things collapses and folds down for travel. https://www.amazon.com/MidWest-Stag...qid=1498508297&sr=1-4&keywords=wire+dog+crate

He absolutely loves it, he goes in by himself just to hang out.
 
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