We recommend keeping your puppy in a travel-safe crate or boost seat during car trips. As your dog grows older and bigger, you may need to upgrade to a dog car harness that attaches to a seat belt. It's best to keep your dog in the backseat of the car, or in the rear of a station wagon.
The safest way to transport your dog in the car is to use a safety-certified, crash-tested crate or pet carrier. Fiberglass-reinforced plastic and aluminum are the preferred materials, and you should make sure the crate is size-appropriate for your dog. The crate should be insulated and have good air circulation.
The back seat is the safest place for your pup because crumple zones, which are often likened to crushing a soda can, absorb the impact in the front and cargo areas. Meaning in a serious accident, your best bet is to keep your pet restrained in the back seat.
Keep your dog restrained
We recommend keeping your puppy in a travel-safe crate or boost seat during car trips. As your dog grows older and bigger, you may need to upgrade to a dog car harness that attaches to a seat belt. It's best to keep your dog in the backseat of the car, or in the rear of a station wagon.
The spirit of adventure
Dogs tend to be naturally curious and outgoing, so they love it when something new and exciting happens. A car ride is a great adventure for them, full of new sights, smells, and sounds… much more fun that just hanging around at home waiting for the mailman to show up.
Ignoring them at night won't help them build confidence and may make them worse which isn't what anyone wants. They need to be taught how to be independent slowly. We would never recommend ignoring your puppy when they cry at night, especially in their first few nights.
The answer is you should not be leaving your 8-week-old puppy alone for an extended period. This is the part of their life where they have just been weaned and need regular feedings and potty breaks. It is recommended to wait at least until they are 3 months old before they are left alone.
Bringing home your new puppy: first steps
Let them explore each room in turn. Focus mainly on the room they'll spend most of their time i.e. where their bed, crate, food and water bowls are. Try not to fuss over your puppy too much during these initial moments, give them plentiful space and time to explore.
On the first night, and for about three weeks, have the puppy sleep in a dog crate next to the bed. Line the base with blankets so that it is cosy and drape another blanket over the top to help it feel more secure. Give the puppy the stuffed toy that has its littermates' scent on it to snuggle up to.
Remember, dogs and especially puppies need to urinate often. As a guideline, new puppies up to 10 weeks old typically can't hold their bladder for more than an hour. Dogs between 10 to 12 weeks old can usually hold it for around two hours.
Separation anxiety is a serious condition that creates high levels of stress for your puppy and often results in abnormal behaviour when left alone. Puppies may cry a little when you leave the house, but separation anxiety is usually explained by more extreme behaviours, such as: Destructive or disruptive behaviour.
Typically, dogs between 7-16 weeks can sleep 6-8 hours, but they still need to take a potty break at night. So if your dog wakes up at night, it means it needs to pee.
Some people are happy to have their dog sleep in their bedroom. For others, it's important that their dog sleep in another room. We recommend at least having them in your bedroom with you in the beginning in either a dog bed or crate. Having your puppy in your bedroom with you will make them feel more reassured.
Some pets might travel better if there's soothing music or fresh air in the car. Try playing classical music, soft rock, or reggae (read about what types of music are most calming for dogs here) or opening the windows a bit. Just don't let your dog put their head out the window.
Your dog might hate car rides for several reasons, including anxiety or motion sickness—or he may simply sense your stress and react to it. A shaky-kneed, carsick dog can put a damper on your travels, but you can still take him on adventures if you work to overcome his backseat woes.
Don't whip the puppy training pads away at the first sign of pee in the garden. These things do take time, and a puppy bladder takes months to grow, so even if they only occasionally use it, leaving out the pads at night will help them feel settled and relieve any anxiety.
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
Teach your pup to potty on a designated spot outdoors, making him think. After you bring home your new puppy the first thing you need to teach the pup is to walk to the door. Do not carry it.
There is nothing wrong with cuddling and playing with your new puppy, but try to limit picking them up. Continually holding your dog can make them begin to feel as though they are human and can encourage behavior that causes dominance struggles within your home.