Hi all

Wonder if anyone has any tips on travelling with a new puppy especially on a long journey.  Is is best to travel with them on your lap to comfort them or is it best to travel with them in a crate?  Does anyone have any advice please?

Definately secured in a crate that is also secured firmly.  Preferably within the body of the car as this is the only area with added protection in the event of a major shut, the boot space will crumple as a sacrifice to the passenger area.  If you carry your puppy loose, in the unfortunate event of a very minor shunt, your arms will be thrown apart, and it is impossible to resist this,  puppy will be thrown forward to be seriously injured if not killed.  Not worth it really.  I would never allow a puppy to leave my house without being restrained.  You can sit in the back with the puppy but most settle down to take in the new experience and any that make a fuss are really best ignored incase you a setting a pattern :)

If you're talking about bringing a puppy home from the breeder, I would suggest you hold it on your lap, whether in the front or back of the car.  The puppy has most likely never been in a crate before, probably never been in a car before, never been away from litter mates or mother and so on.  I don't think being shut in a crate for a long drive is the best introduction to a crate, or a car, and should only happen if unavoidable (like you have to drive and no one else can come with you to get the pup).

Personally, I cover the front seat with bin liners and am prepared for wee, poo or puke and then hold the puppy, with someone else driving.  Usually after some initial howling, they quieten down.  The last one was a 4 and a half hour drive and that's how we travelled.  No wee, poo or puke, although we were prepared for all 3.

If you are really concerned about safety, you could buy a very small puppy harness, and put this on the pup and attach it to your own seat belt, so the pup stays on your lap but is attached to your seat belt, much in the same way kids sit on their mums on planes. 

I also travel with the pup like this for the first few road trips after coming home.  After the first week or so, the pup travels on the back seat for several months (with a harness), and then moves to the crate in the boot. 

Yes, I was talking about taking the puppy home from the breeder.  I know that for any dog the best place is in a crate but I was concerned about the initial journey and how best to deal with it what with the stress of leaving mum and litter mates too.

I have to admit, when we brought Libby home from the breeders, she was on my lap in the back of the car, along with toys, plastic bags and loo roll, just in case ;)
However as Isabel has pointed out, I was also concerned about what would happen in the event of an accident :(

*goes and sits on the fence* :D

i always have pup in towells on my lap & let someone else drive. if i couldnt do that id put it in a small carrier & seat belt it into the front seat so puppy could see me

In a cage where they can arrange themselves comfortably with a bit of bedding from the "nest" is probably more comforting than sitting on a strangers lap for a long journey.  Mine have always travelled like this from day one and have all been good travellers, I think, because of it, but I suppose that is just another way of looking at it :)  The safety aspects are indesputable though.

mine have always travelled home on my lap & are really good travellers too.

lets face it if there was a accident the pup could get injured where ever it was.

Most breeeders will have used a crarte around pups, often as part of their puppy quarters.  If pups are old enough to have had their vacinations they will ahve ben in one to the Vets or on socialisation journeys (assuming the breeder drives).

My pups always go to their new homes with their owners on their owners lap, with a cage or cardboard box available.  Never had any problems with it this way.

our last pup came home on my son's lap. he started off in a box beside him but was sick all over & tried frantically to escape so ended up being cuddled. only trouble was he vomited all over the blanket we had given the breeder to scent for us & it had to be washed. next time i won't put the blanket in the car with him but keep it safe until we get home.

i always suggest on the lap if it is less than a half hour drive if longer a pup can start to get a little jittery so then i suggest a crate. All my pups have been in crate by the time they leave they are in crates for their vet visits so they are used to it

Having had some awful experiences transporting puppies from breeder to home, puke (masses of it) pee, pup trying to climb every where, I would now suggest a soft crate with some bedding from the litter mates and place it somewhere where the pup can see you and you can put your hand it to offer comfort if the little creature is stressed.  It also reduces the chance of a frightened pup getting loose and tearing round the car.

Quote:-Most breeeders will have used a crarte around pups, often as part of their puppy quarters

Depends on the breed! Mine have never seen a crate in their lives!!! I personally am happy to see my pups go on a lap in a back seat with seatbelt. Not keen on crate in back with puppy having no human contact.