Driving to pick up my puppy

• Choose a Carrier

  Some families traveling by car prefer to wrap their puppies in a towel, carrying their puppy in their laps all the way home while others feel more comfortable using a small travel carrier in the car. Generally the pups end up sleeping most of the way home.  (We wake them up early that morning and get them running around, they see you and are all excited. After all the excitement of meeting you, they are usually pretty tired!)

  To figure out the right carrier size for your puppy, here is a little formula that should be helpful: take your puppy’s projected full-grown weight from the puppy announcement and divide that number by 4. That is an approximate weight of your puppy at 8 weeks of age.

  For example, if your puppy’s projected weight is 8-20 pounds fully grown, take 14 (the mean value/the central number between 8 and 20) and divide it by 4 = 3.5 pounds.  You can approximate that your puppy is in the 3-4 pounds weight range.

• Items For Traveling

  If you are traveling a long distance, it’s a good idea to have a small bowl and a water bottle along to give your puppy the opportunity to get a drink when you stop for potty breaks.

  You can never go wrong with having a few paper towels handy!  

  A little toy in the carrier might also be a nice touch.

  Check out our Puppy Shopping List where Nathan has selected his preferred puppy items. You may find it useful as it serves as a checklist of sorts as you prepare to bring your puppy home! You’ll find helpful descriptions beside each travel item as you decide what you might need. www.crockettdoodles.com/shopping-list/.

• Public Places

  It is very easy for your puppy to contract a parasite on your way home.  Puppies can get parasites simply from standing water, bird, animal, or insect feces, etc.

  Please use great caution as you maneuver through public places during your travel. Avoid grassy areas or dirty pavements.  Also, be very wary of places that unvaccinated dogs may have been.

  An easy solution could be to have a puppy pad with you. If your puppy needs a potty break, pop one in the back of your car, or lay it on a clean area of pavement and the puppy can safely relieve himself/herself on the puppy pad.

• Car Sickness

  Yes, puppies can get car sick on the way home. Please do not give your puppy food while traveling – unless you’re traveling over 4 hours. If you have an exceptionally long drive (i.e. over 8 hours), a little food (snack size portions every 4 hours) would be appropriate. Nausea is better than low blood sugars due to lack of food.

  Some other little tips are: ensure that the vehicle stays cool with good ventilation (not too stuffy or warm), also, as you can, have his/her crate facing forwards as that can help with the motion sickness. (Or if he’s sitting on your lap, have your puppy facing forward, if possible).

• Finalizing Payment on Adoption Day

  In regards to the payment of the final balance, Cash or Certified Check is our preference for the pick-up.

  You are more than welcome to give your final payment to the Guardian Home on Adoption Day and they will pass it on to Nathan.

  Please note: the delivery fee will need to be paid separately to the driver.  Cash or certified check.

• Arriving for Your Appointment

  We generally schedule our appointments on the hour as we like to reserve plenty of time for you to meet your puppy and to talk with the Guardian Home before the next family arrives.  As you think through your traveling itinerary, be sure to allow for plenty of time to arrive for your appointment. Arriving too early or too late may cause a disruption to another family’s special moment with their new puppy.

• Travel Insurance

  If you choose to pick up your puppy and will need to make airline and/or hotel arrangements, please be sure to also purchase travel insurance. Your puppy’s pick up date is subject to your pup passing his/her final vet check. Although it’s extremely rare, sometimes your Adoption Day may need to be adjusted to the vet’s recommendations. We will notify you ASAP if your Adoption Day changes so you can update your flight/hotel arrangements. We’re not able to reimburse you for those costs, so we strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance for your protection.

• Pet-Friendly Hotels

  Greenville, SC

  If you’re planning on spending a night in Greenville, here are some great pet-friendly hotel options!

  www.visitgreenvillesc.com/places-to-stay/pet-friendly/

  Bernville, PA

  You may decide to break up your trip with a stop over in Bernville. Check out these pet-friendly options!

  https://www.bringfido.com/lodging/city/bernville-pa-us/

  On the Way Home!

  Need some suggestions on places to stay on your way home?  Use this fantastic website to see what restaurants, hotels and more are pet-friendly!

  www.bringfido.com/