Traveling with puppy!

[wiggal]

Hey all,

We are planning to go to my sisters in Mansfield in 3 weeks, its about and hour & half journey, but we want to be able to take Cleo with us! She will be around 18 weeks by then.
When my sister travels with her 2 dogs, they each have half a travel sickness tablet each, which stops them being sick and makes them sleepy, but I'm worried about trying that on Cleo when she is so young.
Which would be the best way to take her in the car safely?
We cant have one of the dog cages for the boot of the car, as we have a Ford KA and a Sports car!

Any tips are very much appreciated!

Wiggal xxx

[lankeela]

Best place is in the footwell of the passenger side, as this is near to the gear box which has the least vibration. Take plenty of layersof newspaper so if she is sick or even just drooly then you can take out a layer and throw it out (or put it in a bin bag).
Don't feed her for a few hours before travelling other than maybe a digestive biscuit or two.

Do try to take her out in the car several times before the long journey. Start by short journeys, although if she is sick or worried by them, try just sitting in the car with her and let her get used to it without even starting the engine. Then gradually increase the time, start the engine and then take her just round the block, ending up either with a short walk somewhere nice or a run in the park/woods/field etc.
Make going in the car a nice/fun thing rather than a traumatic thing like a visit to the vets. Good idea to make sure she has a collar and tag on in case she should jump out when you stop, also a lead on so you can restrain her whilst the car is being driven. Sorry if this all sounds so simple (well it is really) but common sense is the best tip of all.

[wiggal]

Hey lankeela, thanks.

She has already had a few short trips in the car, like last night we took her to Alans sisters to meet their St Bernard pup (what fun that was lol!) and I did have her down by my feet, but within 5 minutes she is so active and jumping around, climbing on my lap and trying to chew the gear stick and I just dont think that is that safe? With her as a distraction to my partner who will be driving and me having to hold onto her!
She also never seems to tire, so knackering her out before the journey wont work, today she has been on her first trip outside, and for around 15 minutes was playing with 3 little boys that were throwing her toy for her ad so on. Just before that she was in the garden charging round after my Samoyed and playing with him, she then went back in the garden with him after her little walk and has since come in and is still charging rond and just wont calm down!

[naflharrison]

how about investing in a doggie seat belt which i think you can buy from argos. you could then put your pup on the back seat with a nice cosy blanket and some doggie toys to keep amused.

[leelapops]

Hello wiggal, lankeela, naflharrison.
I have just started driving, and invested in a doggy car harness, as suggested. It fits round your dog (or pup, wiggal!) and then the back seatbelt is fed through the loop behind the harness, so your dog is attached to the seatbelt and held in place, but can still sit or lie down comfortably.
As I am a new driver, I didn't want the distractions of a wandering dog in the back of the car (also, isn't it illegal now?), and so I put a fleecy blanket down across the seat, strapped Jack in....and he loves it! He fell asleep the first time I took him out for a little drive!

I would really recommend them, wiggal. Cleo will probably only need a small size for now, and you may have to reinvest as she grows. Maybe half a herbal tablet before the journey too? Ask your vet first though, just in case.

lankeela is right too, don't feed her. I know what you mean about never tiring, but make sure she has had some action before she gets in the car, and a chance to toilet, because then at least she won't be so restless! FIngers crossed...

Is Ashke going with you too?
Have a great time! Cuddles for the fur-family from me :) x