Ride Home

Before you put your pup in the car, try to get them to go to the bathroom. Your breeder might have some tips for you. If not, walk around with them on the leash and shower them with praise when they go potty. 

Once they’ve gone potty, you can load them in their crate or carrier. You should also put the towel/blanket with mom’s scent in the crate/carrier to help make them feel safe. Secure the crate/carrier so that they don’t slide around. If possible, sit next to your pup while another adult drives.

Since this is probably one of your pup’s first car rides, you will want them to have as positive experience as possible so that they develop positive associations with the car and you. To do this, gently and calmly praise them. Try not to praise them when they are whining as this can teach them that whining is a good way to get attention.

If you are traveling a long distance, you may want to take a few rest breaks. This will allow your pup to go potty again and stretch their legs. Remember, they are not used to the car yet and so an opportunity to get out of the car might be really welcome. When taking them out of the car, make sure that you have them on a leash at all times. Puppies do not yet know about most of the dangers of the world and so they might run into incoming traffic.

Since your pup has probably not been fully vaccinated yet, avoid taking them to places where a lot of other dogs have been. Otherwise, they could pick up a disease.