Need some ideas for travel with new puppy

[Jennifer and Jack]

Saturday is the day we are meeting our breeder who has become a dear friend of mine. She is from IL, but will be traveling to Ga on Saturday.... She is staying in a hotel overnight before her and her family check into the beach house they are staying in.

 

We made the decision today instead of doing an eight hour round trip, trip, we would stay in the same hotel as Christine, our breeder. She invited us to, otherwise I would not do that because I would want to respect her vacation.

 

Christine won't get there until about 8 pm at night. Molly will have already been in the car a good 12 plus hours.. so probably getting a break will help her.

 

Here is our two issues. It will be Jack, my mom, Molly and I all in one hotel room. We are going to be on the second floor. This hotel has no elevators which is going to make it a monster of a deal for me since we have to stay on the second floor..each time I would have to bring her out to potty I will have to go up and down stairs carrying her, and my oxygen tank... UGGG..

 

What should we do with Molly for our first night. I am bringing plastic table clothes to put down as well as pee pads just to have a place to let her run around and play, she will be crated a good part of the day I am sure.

 

Do I need to be concerned about germs for her in the hotel? Do I just let her pee on the pee pads for one night? I am never going to pee pad train her, that is not something I want....and I don't want to confuse her. She already is going to be strung out from a long car ride, being taken away from her siblings, and then meeting Jack and us. I want to make sure we do this right.. I am at a loss for the best way to make this work for all of us. I will crate her at night to sleep and most likely keep the crate right next to me...Jack will sleep with us.

 

Anyone have suggestions, also the next day, we will have a four hour plus car ride home. How often should we stop let her potty and give her water. She will not be crated during this time but in the back seat in a car seat with my mom.

 

Anyone ever travel overnight the first time they got their puppy. Please share what worked and didn't work for you.....

 

Thanks for any help... Three days till we go!!!!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Jennifer - this is Stuart on my way home from getting him in Atlanta.  As you can see in the top photo - I confined his space to the marble floor of the bathroom and when loose also the entry way - not sure what you'll have.  The second night there I carried in the large soft-sided crate (I had to stay 2 nights for a graduation).  I let Stuart go potty in the grass outside the hotel and just made sure that I picked spots where I thought no one else would go to - off to the side or a little bit around back.  I was more worried about them getting Stuart's germs than the other way around - lol.  I don't think one night with pee pads will hurt but I would do my best to take her our yourself when you can - I know for you this will not be easy so I'd not worry about it.  So excited for you and your mom and Jack!!!!  Take tons of pictures.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks for the pictures and the reply Jane.. I didn't even think of the bathroom, that is a great idea to confine her to. totally safe is she goes potty I can quickly clean it up. We won't get her till about 8 pm and we will most likely head for home by 9 or 10 am.. so just a short time..

 

I have no idea what type of hotel it is, it sounds like we are going to the hills of Georgia, very country, my breeder is going to the beach or woods or something for her vacation and it is in the middle of no where.. I will take a lot of pictures..

 

I am excited....I want to keep the princess safe...

 

Thanks for your advice and support...

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

exciting. enjoy the trip. I hope it all works out.

[Denise & Sophie]

Good luck and have a safe trip! So happy for you!

[Julie and Maggie]

Check out the website/blog called Dog Jaunt. This lady travels everywhere with her dog. There may be some good tried and true tips for you there. Helped me with air travel immensely. 

[Michael Gurley]

I like Jane's idea about confining her to the bathroom, even at night. You can start the potty training after the whole traveling ordeal is over for her.

 

Good luck!!

I expect tons and tons of pictures!!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Cute pictures of Stuart!

Jennifer - I agree one or two nights of "imperfect potty training" is not going to ruin anything.  Just do what you can - bathroom, potty pads, or whatever JUST for the hotel & start ASAP as soon as you get back home.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I travelled 12 hours with Riley and even though we didn't stay in a hotel I had him in a crate in the back of the car.  Lots of potty pads and taking him out when I could worked just fine.  I just started in earnest with the potty training as soon as I got home so don't worry yourself too much and enjoy the trip.  So exciting for you and your Mom, good luck.  

I brought, lots of baby wipes, plastic bags for clean up  oh and rubber gloves!

The bathroom is an excellent idea as Stuart is modeling below.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks, I will let her play in the bathroom on the floor, I am assuming and hoping it is tiled. Again we are going to the stix to meet the breeder.

 

I will bring lots of baby wipes and thanks for the reminder about gloves.. Yeash.. didn't think of those.

[Susan and Sasha]

Hi Jen....

The bathroom floor would be the way to go...

Since it is small and tiled.you can easily sterilize it before Molly is put in there (smile) and then it will also be easy to keep clean if/when she "goes"!

 

Gloves...wipes...paper towels..leash...collar...crate....something that you feel comfortable with to clean the floor...plastic bags...air freshener  (that's for you!! Lol)    Oh...and Don't forget the ear plugs!!  .for you and your Mom!!   Bathrooms have a way of having an echo!!  Lol... 

 

Jen....since it will be Molly's first night...you just might end up in the bathroom...sleeping on the floor with her!

Think about bringing one of the old comforters that you have...that you can just throw in your washer when you get home.  That way...you can fold it in quarters and have something soft to lay on and put a pillow on it...so that you can be "somewhat comfy"!  (bring a hefty bag to put the comforter in to bring it and take it home) 

 I've got your back girlfriend!!  Lol...

 

All of you will be just fine...and you'll be home...safe and sound before you know it!!

I can't wait to see Molly Rose!!

Lots and Lots of Hugs from Sasha and Me...