Old enough to travel?

[Patty]

Hey everyone!

I'm going to a wedding this weekend in Pasadena (I live in Sacramento). It's about a 7 or 8 hour drive, and I'm a little worried because I've got a 3-week old australian shepherd pup. Is that too young for such a long drive or do you think he'll be okay?


Thanks!

[ckelly]

I don't think there should be a problem, assuming he's housebroken. Just crack a window, bring food and water, and make frequent bathroom stops. One word of caution though: beware dog car sickness. I don't think puppies are more prone to it, but it did happen to me with a puppy once and it wasn't pleasant!

[queenkarlata]

your puppy should be great to travel but you should make sure your pup is up to date on all vaccinations because its so young still. keep it in a crate while you drive so its not falling all over the place and if it has an accident or car sickness (which will most likely happen as ckelly unfortunately found out), it'll be easy to clean out at a rest stop.

[JessMaster]

3 weeks old = car sickness for sure... but no big deal, just get ready for it and don't panic when your in traffic or at speed. They don't hold very much when they are so small ;)

Also agree with the vaccinations recommendation. Dogs travelling increase their exposure to disease greatly... at all those bathroom stops and new home(s) they are in... and puppies will explore eating anything including diseased feces. So keep a close eye on the little one when it is outside.

[PrincessCare]

About how long does it take before the puppy gets used to riding in the car? I've always gotten dogs that were already past the puppy phase, so I'm a little nervous!

[RandyMan]

maybe i've had an unusual experience, but all my dogs have taken to the car right away. sometimes with little dogs it takes a while for them to learn that if they don't sit still they're going to fall off the seat, but they've never been nervous or anything.

[queenkarlata]

some pups love the car while others take a while to get used to it. as long as you take them often, they'll learn to relate getting in the car to a fun adventure and not a scary machine that throws them around.

[Porsche]

hi i have a 3 week old puppy just like you and i take him in the car all the time. i dont think you will have a problem if you keep him close to you. a puppy needs to hear your heart beet that young in age to make him feel safe. the only problems i have had so far is my baby peeing on me

[kkibak]

Haha, I don't mean to laugh but that must be a funny scene :) . Wow, 3 weeks is really young! What breed is he (or she)?

hi i have a 3 week old puppy just like you and i take him in the car all the time. i dont think you will have a problem if you keep him close to you. a puppy needs to hear your heart beet that young in age to make him feel safe. the only problems i have had so far is my baby peeing on me

[mr.modest]

A bit off topic but who agrees that babie humans should not be allowed on airplanes? I had a cross-country flight last night with a baby crying/screaming behind me the entire time - my sweet little Golden Retriever pup would never do something so inconsiderate.

[Indy Saints]

3 wks.. wow! Did you breed it? I am sure a breeder didnt let you take it that young???? As for vaccinations, too young to have any. I would just be sure to take some wet cloths and wipe of and dry its feet after every bathroom break. That will help a little. As for the riding part, start them early and you will have no problems even if it is for just a 5 min ride.