Traveling with a puppy can be an exciting adventure, filled with new sights and smells for both you and your furry friend. However, what seems like a fun road trip can quickly turn chaotic if you’re not adequately prepared. Imagine winding mountain roads, two energetic shepherd puppies, and a child in the backseat – a scenario that might sound adventurous but can easily become overwhelming without the right gear. One crucial piece of equipment often overlooked, yet absolutely essential, is the Travel Puppy Crate.
Traveling with dogs, especially puppies, presents unique challenges. While some dogs adapt to travel more easily than others, neglecting to prepare for potential situations is simply unwise. Even if you believe your puppy is a seasoned traveler, a travel crate is a necessity, even if you choose not to use it for the entire journey. This wisdom comes from firsthand experience – a memorable trip made more complicated by a lack of foresight regarding puppy travel and, crucially, the absence of travel crates.
Our journey with Shiloh Shepherd puppies began with excitement. We were thrilled to welcome a puppy of this intelligent and gentle giant breed into our family. When the opportunity arose to also care for his littermate temporarily, we eagerly agreed. We were assured both puppies would arrive safely in their own airline-approved dog crates, accompanied by a chaperone. Excitement quickly turned to a practical challenge upon arrival at the airport.
Dog Travel Tip #1: Measure Your Car for a Travel Dog Crate
Shiloh Shepherd puppies are substantial even at a young age. At just four months, they can weigh around 40 pounds, growing into adults that can reach 150 pounds. While we had prepared for their arrival with water bowls, leashes, and chew toys, we hadn’t fully considered the sheer size of airline-standard dog crates.
A well-ventilated and appropriately sized travel puppy crate ensures your puppy’s comfort and safety during car journeys.
A quick assessment at the airport revealed a problem: two large dog crates would not fit side-by-side in the back of our carefully chosen SUV. With no other option, we had to dismantle the bulky crates and place the puppies directly onto the back seat. They became oversized bookends, flanking our young son in his booster seat. It was a comical yet slightly concerning sight: two large, quiet puppies and one very curious and hands-on child.
Before we departed, the kind chaperone handed us a box of ginger snaps, explaining they were for car sickness. Despite initial worry, the three-hour drive on straight highways went smoothly. Confident, we thought, “Traveling with two Shiloh Shepherd puppies and a six-year-old? We’ve got this.”
However, a week later, our confidence was tested. We decided to travel to our mountain cottage in western North Carolina, a change of plans that introduced unforeseen challenges.
Dog Travel Tip #2: Plan Your Trip Thoughtfully
Often, travel mishaps aren’t due to a single error but a series of decisions. Changing our destination meant leaving behind direct routes and interstate highways for winding, two-lane roads with significant elevation changes. While we were prepared with dog bowls and leashes for frequent stops, we underestimated the impact of the route itself.
We compounded this by choosing a scenic route through the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. This road, while beautiful, is incredibly winding and narrow, offering few places to safely stop for puppy breaks. Taking this route with puppies prone to car sickness was a significant misstep.
We hadn’t gone far into the forest when the puppies started drooling excessively – a clear sign of impending car sickness. Ginger snaps were now too late. What followed was a messy ordeal. Puppy sickness occurred repeatedly, covering seats, floors, door panels, and, unfortunately, our son. The puppies’ initial charm quickly faded for him amidst the chaos. The confined car became a challenging space with sick dogs and a distressed child, with no immediate solution but to continue driving.
Dog Travel Tip #3: Prepare for the Worst
Where were the dog crates during this turbulent journey? Disassembled and stacked uselessly in the back of the car – a stark reminder of our lack of foresight. We hadn’t thought to acquire travel-appropriate crates after the airport arrival, a critical oversight. This trip highlighted the absolute necessity of having travel puppy crates readily available, even for short journeys.
We eventually reached our cottage, but not before enduring a severe thunderstorm that forced us to seek shelter at a roadside inn. The puppies, already stressed, trembled with each thunderclap. The aftermath of the trip involved significant cleanup, and the car was never quite the same.
When Merlin’s family arrived to take him, we shared our eventful travel story, ginger snaps in hand, as a parting gift and a humorous warning. We emphasized the importance of being prepared, especially with a travel puppy crate, for any journey, no matter how short.
This experience taught us invaluable lessons about traveling with puppies. A travel puppy crate isn’t just an accessory; it’s a fundamental tool for safe, comfortable, and stress-free travel. Whether it’s a short trip to the vet or a long road adventure, a travel crate provides:
- Safety: In case of sudden stops or accidents, a crate protects your puppy from injury and prevents them from becoming a distraction to the driver.
- Comfort and Security: A crate becomes a familiar den, offering a secure space that reduces anxiety and car sickness.
- Containment: It prevents messes and keeps your puppy from roaming freely in the car, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for everyone.
Investing in a quality travel puppy crate and properly introducing your puppy to it before your trip is an act of responsible pet ownership. Learn from our mistakes – always be prepared, and ensure your puppy travels safely and comfortably with a reliable travel puppy crate.
