immie123 asked:
I have a 13 week old chihuahua puppy and I am going on a 5 day holiday. It will be about 7 hours drive to get there and we will be staying in a little log cabin in the woods. I have no concern about when we get there because the dog can stay with us almost all the time as it's just a relaxation holiday.
I'm worried about the car journey. The dog can stay with my parents, although I would absolutely love her to come. It sounds stupid but I want the dog to be well used to me and my partner as well as going places with us, however I don't want to be cruel. Someone told me it's unfair to let a puppy travel such long distances even with constant driving breaks.
I have no experience in this and know little about travelling with puppies - anyone advice?
New to this thing, not sure how to reply. Thanks for all the advice. Yes the puppy is fully vaccinated but the vet advice is another good idea I will ask the vet what he thinks too.
She hasn't had much car travel I will take her on a few short journeys and see how she reacts to it. If she is settled I will most likely take her. Thanks for the great answers!
I have a 13 week old chihuahua puppy and I am going on a 5 day holiday. It will be about 7 hours drive to get there and we will be staying in a little log cabin in the woods. I have no concern about when we get there because the dog can stay with us almost all the time as it's just a relaxation holiday.
I'm worried about the car journey. The dog can stay with my parents, although I would absolutely love her to come. It sounds stupid but I want the dog to be well used to me and my partner as well as going places with us, however I don't want to be cruel. Someone told me it's unfair to let a puppy travel such long distances even with constant driving breaks.
I have no experience in this and know little about travelling with puppies - anyone advice?
New to this thing, not sure how to reply. Thanks for all the advice. Yes the puppy is fully vaccinated but the vet advice is another good idea I will ask the vet what he thinks too.
She hasn't had much car travel I will take her on a few short journeys and see how she reacts to it. If she is settled I will most likely take her. Thanks for the great answers!
If your puppy has no one to look after him or her take him or her with you
Take her with you. I use to work in rescue and we had someone fly in from Utah to adopt a 9 week old and flew her back. Just put her in a crate, she will be fine.
If it was an older dog, I would say go for it...but for a 13 week old, small breed puppy it might be too much. Also, if you're going to be in a wooded area, you will have to be extremely careful with her if she goes outside, there are wild animals, lakes, holes and so many things she can hurt herself with.
I understand you wanting the bonding experience, but she will be fine with your parents, and this way you can enjoy your trip without having to worry about all of these concerns if you bring her.
Have fun!
I don't think it is unfair, but I feel traveling might be slightly overwhelming for a tiny 13 week old Chihuahua. It is not so much the car journey but the actual holiday. It is not like you can include the puppy in 'woodland' activities -- at 13 weeks old, he will be sleeping all the time and Chi's are not exactly known for their stamina.
I think if I was in your position I would ask my parents to watch him for the duration of the trip. He will be in good hands and you won't have to worry about him.
Good luck, and I hope you can come to a conclusion!
My own dogs and puppies go on all holidays with me..No problems at all...You need to stop every 2 hours, and take water from home or bottled water, as they often refuse strange water.
Also, take bug repellent, and make certain she is wearing ID..and get her used to short car trips.
Take a dog first aid kit, and read online about dog first aid.
Traveling with the one she loves is far less stressful than being left home.
check the area ahead of your travel for vet clinics, and write down numbers..as if anything should happen, it is too hard to look them up..
The place I travel most often is 12 hours away..and even pups as young as yours do just fine..Chihuahuas overheat very easily at that age, so if you can't keep her cool in the car, it won't work.
Put the puppy in kennels.
It's the best time for a dog to get used to it as you will find many times in your life you will want to go away.
The puppy will love it and you won't feel guilty or concerned in the future.
Take the Puppy with you and it will expect it all the time.
Leave it till the Puppy grows up and it won't like it.
I would take her with you. We had 8 week old puppy on a 5 hour plane ride. She just sat in her create under the seat slept most of the time. Plus it was good once we got there that we did not have to worry about her and miss her the whole time.
I think you should take him/her with you because when a dog is young that is when they bond and get to know their trainer the most.
-hope I helped!
I have flown and driven across the United States countless times and ever time my poodle Hercules has been with me.
Make sure when you are driving you have a secure place for the puppy (or check if they make a doggy seat belt for a puppy that small)
Make sure you have food and water for the puppy: McDonald's isn't good for the dog, not good for you either ... just make sure you bring dog food.
Ask the vet for something to help with car sickness. Hercules never got sick in the car - the Yorkie-poo Razzberry throws up after about an hour in the car. Even with an empty stomach I am amazed at how much 'stuff' that dog can puke up.
Take a bed for the puppy to sleep in once you get to where your going.
Make sure your puppy has had it's shots and you are using flea protection.
Also realize you're going to have to stop more often that you would think so the puppy can go potty. (take doggie-doo bags)
Personally I like traveling with our dogs, it's more hassle that going without them, but having them around is worth it.
everyone has good advice, however one thing has been overlooked, which is that such a young dog may not have had all its shots or treatments, so its immune system may not be up to the forest experience. are you preventing heartworm in the puppy? it's especially important if you're going to the woods, where there might be infected mosquitoes. there are also many other parasites, like deerticks, that can have negative effects on dogs. you should speak to your vet before you go to make sure all will be ok. other than that, as long as you stop every couple of hours to let the puppy do its business, it should be fine. dogs are resilient, and if you keep it crated in the car, it'll feel at home because it's used to its crate while at home. good luck!
She would probably be more stressed out if you leave her with two total strangers why should she be upset being in the car with her two most favourite people who she has known since she left her mum so you both are her only security. She will be curled up on your knee as happy as anything. Every stop you make make sure she gets to stretch her legs and plenty of drinks every time you make a stop, she will love it just being with the two of you she won't be stressed at all!! Do what you both want don't listen to others imagine the great bonding time you will have up ther oh it sounds lovely, take your puppy with you she will be fine, just pack plenty of bottles of water and a bowl for the journey : ) Hope the three of you have a great holiday xx
PLease, take the little dog with you, you could stop every two hours to take the dog out to the bathroom and offer her water, and a treat maybe. I don't see why not you should not travel with your dog. If the dog likes to go into the car, do it. Take with you enough food, treats, and offer water to the dog while traveling. Lol, dogs travel more than 6 hours on planes in the cargo section, I don't see any cruelty taking the dog with you for a wonderful ride. You and your companion could enjoy a lot the trip with the puppy. But you know your dog better, you know if the puppy will enjoy the change of environment, the cabin. If the puppy does not go this time, she will go later on, don't worry. Either way going with you, or being with your parents, she'll be Ok. Good luck, and good trip
Yes you should take your dog on Holiday Would you leave your child at home if the journey was too long , I think not! Work your travel schedule to suit your dog and family and have a great time together. Enjoy!!!!.............
yes take her with you give her water and food and breaks in hot weather shade her she will be ok
I always take my dogs on holiday, they are my family and they love being in a holiday cottage in the country or beside the beach.
HI I HAVE CHIHUAHUAS AND WE TAKEN THEM ON HOLIDAY EVERY TIME, AND THEY LOVE IT. DISTANCES IS NOT A PROBLEM ESPECIALLY IF YOUR CAR HAS AIR CONDITIONING, YOU NEED TO TAKE REGULAR STOPS SO HE/SHE CAN HAVE A WEE AND DRINK, FOOD ETC. IF YOU PUP HAS HAD ALL OF THE JABS, WORMED, THEN ITS FINE. MINE LOVE COMING AWAY WITH US, AND I WOULDN'T BE WITHOUT THEM. DUE TO THE AGE OF YOUR PUP I THINK YOU NEED TO TAKE HIM/HER OUT EVERY DAY IN THE CAR SO PUPPY DOESN'T GET STRESSED, CHIHUAHUAS MAY EXCELLENT TRAVELLERS. you WOULD HAVE TO HOLD PUPPY ON YOUR LAP, AND HE/SHE WILL LAY DOWN AND SLEEP. DONT LET HIM/HER WALK AROUND THE CAR, BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE TO BREAK SUDDENLY THEY WILL GO FLYING AND HURT THEM SELFS, SO EITHER USE A CRATE OR YOU LAP. AS YOURS IS A PUP I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGUST YOU HAVE HIM/HER MICRO CHIPPED JUST INCASE. GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN.
As long as you take regular breaks on your journey, and your dog is a good traveller, then i dont see any harm in this. Being as small as she is she can easily sit on your lap in the front. Both my dogs come on holiday with us and they throughly enjoy themselves. Were going away next weekend for a few days and both dogs will be coming with us as usual.
Hope you all have a great holiday with your puppy.
if you have someone too look after her leave her cause that will help teach her to be left without you which is what most dogs need to be taught. but of course don't leave her on her own.
Take her along! Although she will get bored in the car and might wet you if shes on your lap (!!) she would much prefer to go with you. She'll have soooo much fun in the cabin in the woods!
Have a great holiday.