I love traveling with my Sarplaninac dogs and puppies. These trips are just part of my life, whether I am going to dog shows or driving the puppies to a transporter for their move to new homes abroad.
Having a dog in the passenger seat is great, but car travel with a puppy isn’t always easy.
I want to help you prepare the puppy for the road, so he stays calm instead of getting scared or car sick.
Is It Safe to Travel with an 8-Week-Old Puppy?
Before you take your puppy on a trip, you must follow his vaccination schedule.
At eight weeks, the puppy is not ready for long drives.
Instead, use this time to get him used to the car while it’s parked, before you even start driving.
Get the puppy used to new sounds and situations at home first.
For example, keep the radio low or let the puppy sit in a parked car to sniff around. If you see he is scared, take him out right away.
Building trust now, through small steps at home, will make future car trips much easier for you and the dog.
How to Calm Anxious Puppies in the Car
To help the puppy, you should first make the car a place where he feels safe.
Let him sniff around inside while the engine is off, without any pressure to go anywhere.
I suggest sitting together on the back seat for a few minutes, which helps the puppy feel safe while you are right there.
If he stays calm the next day, try moving to the front seat or stepping out of the car for a minute to see how he reacts.
If he starts barking or looks scared, just take him out of the car right away.
See how the puppy does before you try anything else.
Buckle Up! The First Test Drive
Before you take the puppy on a test drive, you should choose some safety gear for him.
Should you use a car seat, a crate, or a harness? Personally, I don’t like the harness and I don’t think it’s the best solution for the dog in the car.
It is a good idea to slightly crack the windows for some fresh air. Also, when using the air conditioning, make sure the cold air isn’t blowing directly at the puppy.
For safety, the puppy should always be in the backseat so he does not distract you while driving. Having a friend or family member sit back there to keep him calm is even better.
During this first trip, drive smoothly and do not rush, so you can help the puppy stay relaxed.
Are You Ready for a Longer Trip?
On a long journey, just make sure the puppy gets enough fresh air.
You will need to take regular breaks so the pup can “stretch his legs”, drink water, and go potty.
To prevent car sickness, do not feed the puppy right before you leave.
Still, the puppy might make a mess, so put a dog pad or a mat under him.
Most puppies will sleep throughout the trip, waking up usually when they get thirsty or need to go potty.
Keeping things quiet in the car will help the pup stay relaxed until you arrive.
Conclusion
The puppy’s safety must always come first when you travel.
One big mistake is letting the pup stick his head out of the window, because that is very dangerous.
It is also a good idea to have your breeder’s or veterinarian’s number saved, just in case you need help on the road.
With a bit of patience, the puppy will get used to the car and love the ride.
Safe travels!
