What do I bring in the car?

[Lori]

Going to get the pup next weekend!!! Just wondering if anyone had a long drive with their puppy when they 1st picked it up, and what would be the best things for me to have on hand in the car? I am anticipating the ride to be about 8-9 hours. I plan on setting up an area in the back of the car w/ pee pads, bringing some towels...what else should I bring? Didi anyone have to deal w/ vomiting on the way home? Are there any suggestions for that? Should I bring a few toys, or do they still sleep a lot at 8 weeks? I AM SOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!

[Lori]

Our drive was 4-5 hours, but it was probably unique in that we had two other dogs and my ten-year old daughter to entertain Leo. He did fine, and he did sleep a lot. I'd plan to stop every couple of hours to let your new pup stretch a bit. Has he been in the car before? I'd also take some toys. We got a Snuggle puppy and dropped it off at the breeder the day before we picked up our puppy, so it had Mom and littermates' scent all over it. He never cried! Good luck. Your life is about to change dramatically! Your puppy is adorable!!! He looks very much like our Leo looked!

[Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby]

Our Abby threw up, yes, and I brought paper towels. Bring a collar and leash. A trip that long, you should stop to let the pup go outside for potty and just a break from riding. Maybe even some water tho I wouldn't let the pup drink very much - could cause more vomiting. A cat kennel or dog kennel would be nice. We used a box and my daughter sat next to her touching her and talking to her until she fell asleep. I'm sure others will have more advice for that long of a trip.
Good luck.

[Lori]

Our little pup will have 3 little boys to keep him company! Ages 7,5 & 4...GOD HELP ME!!!
We went down last weekend to pick him out & spent about 25 hours in the car...that was a little TOO long!
How old was Leo when you picked him up? And did you walk him at rest stops? I know my pup won't have all his shots yet so we won't be walking him.

[shelly]

Oh Lori! It's so exciting isn't it! Good luck! Tori came on a plane in her crate. She made it the whole time no accidents, no vomiting. she was on the plane and then we didn't even take her out for the ride home from LaGuardia because we were afraid we wouldn't get her back in. Talk about anticipation!!!! she was black and was so dark inside the crate that we couldn't really even get a good look at her until we got home on the Thursday of Memorial Day weekend. The breeder actually said they didn't feed her after 6:00 the night before and didn't give her any water that morning. But she did great. she was such a mush and cuddle bug when we got her home, she just laid on the floor against my sons' stomachs all day. she was GREAT her first night too. I love the idea about the cuddle toy with the mother's scent! Next time I think I'll try that! Shelly

[Marci]

Hi Lori, we actually had about a four hour drive to pick up our pup (who was about 12 weeks old). We actually took our 10yr.old boxer with us so they could meet right away. The towel will come in handy my pup did vomit, but only once I saw it coming and got the towel ready to catch it just in time. I think she had just been fed and didn't have time to really digest the food. Have some toys as well. She pretty much stayed in my lap the whole drive home. We sat in the back and she, I think, was scared/nervous and didn't want to leave my lap! Congrats on the new addition to the family you are going to have sooooo much fun with your doodle! Wishing you doodle love, Marci

[Amy K.]

Our drive was about 4 and a half hours, but we split it up because we happened to have friends and family 1/2 of the way in between the breeder's house and our house. We were really lucky on our drive home. Oscar slept 95% of the time and he never got sick. We did stop a couple times to see if he had to go potty, so we chose a place that wouldn't normally be frequented by dogs, like a rest stop, for fear of parvo or other viruses.

We also have three young boys (10, 8, and 6 years) and they held him most of the time. If Oscar became wiggly, we brought a laundry basket lined with old beach towels for him to lay down in. A friend suggested that and it was great! We could still see him and keep a hand on him for reassurance, and it was plastic so easily washable if necessary!

In terms of car-sickness, our breeder suggested to have a little pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) on hand as that will settle a puppy's tummy (not my first choice personally, but whatever works for them :)

I bet your pup will sleep the whole way! Have fun!

[Deanna Marsh]

Yes, we had a long drive (7 hrs.) with two doodles! I would suggest extra pads or towels, we did have vomiting. They are not used to a car ride. We also brought small containers to pour bottled water into when we would stop, so they could have a drink. We had a small stuffed toy for each as well. We stopped every few hours to let them try to potty. We had some of there usual food that the breeder gave us, but they didn't eat any of it, (I'm sure because they were car-sick) yours may not be and want to eat, so I'd suggest some food also.

Your going to have so much fun, they are the greatest dogs! I'm excited for you.

[Betsy D.]

Oh Lori,

What fun you have to look forward to!!! We had a 6 hour drive and I was by myself with our puppy and three children, 9,7 and 3. If you can swing it, a pet kennel would be best. I know that your boys will want to hold the puppy, but you can firmly tell them that they will have a lot of time to do lots of holding and loving when you get home. We had a small dog kennel to put her in. She slept just about all of the time. She never had an accident, because she wasn't loose, I am sure, and she never vomited. She felt safe and secure and I didn't have to worry about the kids with her while I was driving. Also, if I needed to take the kids to the bathroom, I knew she was secure in the car and would be fine for the ten minutes we were inside.

We stopped every two hours; I pulled off to the side of the road to let her go to the bathroom and have a bit of water. No well traveled spots for us. Drive through for the kids with food. We had the toy with her mom's scent with her as well as the snuggle puppy. Both to this day, she is six months old, are her favorite toys. I find her asleep in her kennel with her head on the snuggle puppy.

The drive was very easy. We have a mini van with the 2/3, 1/3 split. My older two, boys, would take turns sitting in the back, on the 1/3 seat to comfort her and watch her during the drive. We had paper towels, regular towels, water, leash and collar and a battery operated fan. The boys were afraid she would get too hot in her kennel during the drive so they kept this running. (This was in June.) She really seemed to like the air movement. I know your drive is a bit longer, but it will go fine and you will be surprised when you get home how easy it was. Good luck! and Congratulations!

[Chelsea and her doodle Piper]

Hi Lori, we just picked up Piper yesterday and had a 3 hour drive. We were extra prepared with small trash bags, towels, paper towels, spray, water bowl, treats, bully stick, and heart beat pillow and then some. It was pretty much all for nothing, b/c Piper cried for about 30 seconds, licked his bully stick and fell asleep on a blankie from his litter. He slept most of the way and was perfectly happy to stay in the crate. He didn't even wake up when we swung though a drive through and picked up some food. And not to forget, my daughter was letting him watch the leapster and singing him lullabies! :o) BTW, the heart beat pillow is awesome...not a peep from piper from 8-7 last night!

[Lori]

Thank you for all this GREAT advice...I am packing now to go get my PUPPY!!!!!!

[Amy K.]

Good luck, Lori! Hope all goes well!

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

I hope you get this in time: I'm surprised nobody else has suggested yet that you get a small harness that attaches to a seat belt. I wouldn't drive on the highway with BeauBeau without one on! Sold at all the Petco's, Petsmarts, etc. It could save his life if God forbid someone on the highway drove crazy and caused an accident. A dog can become a guided missile in a collision. I didn't read carefully all of the suggestions above, and I was anxious to get this to you before you left, so I don't know if anybody suggested this idea that my breeder has now instituted with all their departing puppies after she saw me do it: I brought a stuffed toy and rubbed his litter mates with it before we left the breeder's place, so he could smell his litter mates still when he was removed from them. I really think that helped him sleep the first few nights. Take lots of pictures! This is a priceless moment in your family's life.