My puppy will be going to his new home on Saturday, he is 10 weeks old. How well do they usually travel in cars, I am from Darlington in the north east and the new owners are from Andover in Hampshire, I'm guessing it will be a good 6 hour drive. They have assured me they will keep stopping for breaks and drinks. Is it more than likely he'll be sick, obviously if he was at home he would be fed during that period, would it be best for him not to be fed at all while he is travelling. What about his meals before travelling, he will of had his breakfast a few hour before but I am expecting the owners roughly on dinner time should he have something before he sets off or will that just upset his tummy. Any suggestions as it seem such a long time if its best for him not to eat. (I don't suppose you can get travel sickness tablets).
Also what would be the safest way to travel, in a crate or box etc. The only time he has been in a car was a short drive to the vets for his injection, and he sat on my sons knee the whole time. On the way back he seemed to be dribbling a lot, I thought that, that meant he was going to be sick, maybe I'm wrong. Anyone with any advice or experience would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Michelle.

One of my last pups travelled from Berkshire (near Andover!) to Edinburgh. I fed breakfast at 5am to give it chance to go down before an 11am departure! No point feeding later as chances are it would only come back, but I soaked a meal so that pup could have it just as soon as they had arrived home. I suggest to my new owners making a long journey to travel the pup in a box/crate, stopping when necessary to offer water, but not to let the pup out of the crate as this is unsettling.
The pups usually cry for just a few minutes and then settle down and sleep for the rest of the journey, with no problems at all. The pups recover from the long journey far quicker than the owners and those who have made the longest journeys to their new homes seem to make the best travellers later on!

We got Hudson from Hampshire and bought him back to Lincolnshire ...we did it in 4 hours with no stops . The time is dependant a LOT on the M25 traffic ..that is where the snarl ups seem to happen .

He hated the journey and yipped almost all the way but forgot all about it when we got home :)

Melody :)

We got Moro from South Wales and drove her back to edinburgh (a 7 hour drive). Our breeder fed her alittle amount at 5am we picked her up at 9am and left at 10am. she travelled fine, we had her in a box in the backseat with me next to her, with a towel from the breeder in the botom of the box. we stopped 3 times for toilet/water breaks. For the last hour of the journey she slept on my legs. She travelled perfectly, no whining or fussing at all.
when we got home we let her settle for half an hour before giving food and she was just fine :)
Hope that helps ease your mind a bit :)

From our last litter one went from Buchinghamshire to the Isle of Mann and another to Glasgow, knowing they were going to travel some distance we took ours out in the car as much as possible-sorry this dosn't help you now!. On the departure day we tried to maintain the routine to reduce the amount of stress the pups would experience. Ours went in a box, the new owners didn't have a crate and they are difficult to get them level on the back seat and stop the pup from sliding about if there is too much room in them.
We gave the new owners the statutory bedding, supply of food etc, they brought news paper and towels.
In both cases one of the new owners travelled in the back with the pup, one opted for the box on the floor wedged between the front and back seats and put paper and towels on the back seat the other sat the box on the back seat and put the seat belt round the box! ---
Think I prefer the box on the floor method! The pup can’t fall very far, won’t be catapulted into the front seat in an emergency stop and has the opportunity to have a bit of a leg stretch on the back seat.

Al

My first pup (staff) was picked up from Bristol at 8 weeks old and travelled to Runcorn (just outside of Liverpool) first time puppy owner and first time pup had ever been out. He sat in the back with my nephew - turned into a family outing - and was absolutely brilliant all the way. He was given loads of attention, never whined or peed. Arrived home, straight out of the car, peed in the front garden, and then straight into the kitchen looking for grub, confident little get! He grew up to absolutely love car journeys, any excuse to jump into anyones car.
Second puppy came down from Bishop Auckland again a family outing and as luck would have it she was fine. The two bitches I bred at home and never travelled by car, detest getting in my car, even a short journey to the vets is a pain. :(

Ged

Hi Everyone
Thanks for all your quick reply's it's put my mind at rest. At least I won't be worrying now.
I'll give him his breakfast and that will have had time to settle before he goes.
Due to a timewaster I have had an extra 2 weeks with this pup, I'm really going to miss him when he goes, but not as much as his brother will, who we are keeping. They have developed a strong bond being the last two left together, playing, fun fighting, sleeping and generally keeping each other company. I'ts going to be a real shame to split them up. Never mind I'm sure they'll forget each other sooner than I think. Thanks again.
Michelle.

Savannah, as a pup - travelled 2 hours for the first leg of our trip home, spent 2 days at the in-laws with us and then another 6 hours for the rest of the trip. We had a couple of rest stops etc. She travelled in a little cat-crate. I am now of the firm opinion that dogs in cars should be restrained either by seat-belt harnesses or in crates. For the first part of each journey the crate door was open and hubby had his hand in. Chelsea - the older dog sat beside the crate keeping watch on her as well.

They are much safer in a crate. As for the travel - pups can be car-sick. We were well prepared with towels etc in case she was (or other one was). We were lucky she wasn't.

Wendy

"Sealegs" are brilliant for car sickness. A buyer came to collect a 9 week puppy from me and gave him half a tablet as soon as she arrived ( an hour before she left) and she travelled from South Wales to Preston without a stop, and he didn't even drool. I was very impressed as nearly all of my pups are at least a little sick on their first journey, but not this one. My main advice would be to get him home as quickly as is safely possible, stop only if YOU have to unless he has been very sick when he may need a drink.

Hi
Just had a phone call from the new owner of my pup, to say he was doing well, journey was fine he slept most of the way. He was a tiny bit sick in the last hour but nothing much. He is enjoying his new home playing with his new family (two boys). He had a good night and only cried at about 5:30am so that was good going. It's really nice knowing he is settling in ok. Can't wait for the photos they are promising.
Michelle.