Travelling with Puppies

Your puppy's first holiday is exciting but requires careful planning. Young dogs have different needs, limited stamina, and are still learning about the world. Getting early travel experiences right sets the foundation for a lifetime of adventures together.

This guide covers everything you need to know about travelling with puppies.

When Can Puppies Travel?

Vaccination Considerations

Before Vaccinations Complete:

• Keep away from areas with unknown dogs
• Avoid public dog areas
• Garden and private spaces only
• Carry puppy rather than walk in public areas

After Vaccinations Complete:

• Usually 10-12 weeks minimum
• Check with your vet
• Then safe for public spaces
• Can begin proper adventures

Age Guidelines

8-12 Weeks:

• Too young for proper holidays
• Focus on home settling
• Short car journeys for practice
• Garden exploration only

12-16 Weeks:

• Vaccinations typically complete
• Short trips possible
• Day trips ideal
• Overnight stays with preparation

4-6 Months:

• Ready for first proper holidays
• Still limited stamina
• Short walks only
• Socialisation focus

6-12 Months:

• Longer holidays possible
• Building stamina
• Still growing (protect joints)
• Increasing adventure capability

Physical Development

Growth Plates:

• Not closed until 12-18 months (breed dependent)
• Limit jumping and intense exercise
• Protect developing joints
• Appropriate activity levels

Preparing for First Trips

Car Travel Practice

Before Holiday:

• Multiple short car journeys
• Positive associations (treats, praise)
• Gradually increase duration
• Practice crate or restraint
• Address travel sickness early

Building Positive Associations:

• Car = good things happen
• Short trips to fun places
• Treats and comfort
• Calm, relaxed journeys

Socialisation Opportunities

Travel as Socialisation:

• New environments
• Different surfaces and sounds
• Meeting people
• Seeing other dogs
• Building confidence

Crate Training

Why It Matters for Travel:

• Safe car travel
• Familiar space anywhere
• Settling in new places
• Management tool

Before Travelling:

• Crate should be positive space
• Puppy comfortable and relaxed
• Practiced at home extensively

Choosing First Destinations

Ideal First Holiday Destinations

What to Look For:

• Not too far (shorter journey)
• Quiet environment
• Enclosed garden essential
• Safe, controlled spaces
• Good for socialisation without overwhelming

Good First Choices:

• Quiet countryside cottages
• Rural locations with gardens
• Peaceful coastal areas (off-peak)
• Farm stays with secure grounds

What to Avoid Initially

Too Challenging:

• Very busy tourist destinations
• Long journeys
• Remote locations (vet access)
• Extreme weather destinations
• Challenging terrain

Distance Considerations

First Holidays:

• 1-2 hours maximum journey
• Easy return if problems
• Not too far from home comforts
• Build up to longer trips

Accommodation Needs

Essential Features

Enclosed Garden:

• Absolutely essential for puppies
• Secure fencing (puppy-proof)
• Check for gaps
• Safe toilet training space
• Supervised play area

Ground Floor:

• No stairs for young joints
• Easy garden access
• Quick toilet breaks
• Safer for growing puppies

Safe Environment:

• Puppy-proofed as much as possible
• No hazards
• Secure spaces
• Easy to supervise

Questions to Ask

Before Booking:

1. Is the garden fully enclosed and puppy-proof?
2. Are there any gaps in fencing?
3. Is the property ground floor or has stairs?
4. Any hazards to be aware of?
5. How far to nearest vet?

Exercise Guidelines

Protecting Growing Joints

The General Rule: 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, twice daily.

Examples:

• 3 months old: 15 minutes twice daily
• 4 months old: 20 minutes twice daily
• 5 months old: 25 minutes twice daily
• 6 months old: 30 minutes twice daily

Important:

• This is structured exercise
• Free play in garden additional
• Quality over quantity
• Rest is important

What Counts as Exercise

Structured Exercise:

• Lead walks
• Training walks
• Purposeful activity

Additional Okay:

• Garden play
• Free pottering
• Sniffing and exploring
• Mental stimulation

Activities to Avoid

Until Growth Plates Close:

• Jumping on/off heights
• Excessive running
• Long hikes
• Rough play
• Stairs repeatedly
• High-impact activities

Beach Visits

Puppies and Beaches:

• Short visits appropriate
• Soft sand is tiring
• Don't overdo distance
• Swimming supervision essential
• Check water safety
• Rinse salt water off

Routine Maintenance

Why Routine Matters

Puppies Need:

• Consistent feeding times
• Regular toilet breaks
• Predictable schedule
• Adequate sleep
• Familiarity within new experiences

Holiday Routine

Maintain:

• Same meal times
• Same food (bring from home)
• Regular toilet schedule
• Training consistency
• Sleep schedule

Allow Flexibility:

• New experiences within routine
• Exploration at appropriate pace
• Rest when needed

Toilet Training on Holiday

Maintaining Progress

Continue Training:

• Regular toilet opportunities
• Praise for outdoor toileting
• Same commands as home
• Patience in new environment

Expect Setbacks:

• New place = some accidents
• Don't punish
• Increase toilet breaks
• Maintain positive approach

Setting Up for Success

On Arrival:

• Straight to garden for toilet
• Show puppy outdoor toilet area
• Praise for success
• Frequent breaks initially

Sleep and Rest

Puppies Need Lots of Sleep

Sleep Requirements:

• 18-20 hours per day for young puppies
• Reduces as they age
• Overtired puppies are difficult puppies
• Rest is growth time

Holiday Sleep

Ensure:

• Quiet space for naps
• Familiar bed/blanket
• Regular rest periods
• Don't overstimulate
• Enforce calm times

Overtired Signs

Watch For:

• Biting/nipping increases
• Unable to settle
• Hyperactive behaviour
• Grumpy or reactive
• Not themselves

Response:

• Enforced rest time
• Quiet space
• Calm environment
• Let them sleep

Socialisation Focus

Holiday as Socialisation

New Experiences:

• Different environments
• Various surfaces (sand, grass, gravel)
• New sounds
• Meeting people
• Seeing other dogs
• Building confidence

Positive Experiences Only

Ensure:

• Don't overwhelm
• Let puppy approach at own pace
• Positive associations
• Remove from scary situations
• Build confidence gradually

What to Expose Them To

Good Holiday Socialisation:

• Quiet beaches
• Countryside sounds
• Friendly people (asking first)
• Well-behaved calm dogs
• Different surfaces
• Gentle new experiences

Feeding on Holiday

Maintain Normal Food

Important:

• Bring puppy's regular food
• Don't change diet on holiday
• Same feeding schedule
• Same portions

Why:

• Digestive upset likely with change
• Holiday stress enough without food change
• Familiar food is comfort

Bring Enough

Pack:

• Full holiday supply plus extra
• Treats
• Any supplements used
• Familiar bowls

Health Considerations

Vet Access

Before Going:

• Research emergency vet at destination
• Know how to get there
• Have numbers saved
• Carry insurance details

Common Puppy Issues

Be Prepared For:

• Digestive upset (new environment)
• Tiredness
• Minor injuries
• Eating things they shouldn't

What to Bring

Health Kit:

• First aid basics
• Any medications
• Worming/flea treatment if due
• Vet's contact details
• Insurance documents

Training Continuation

Maintain Training

On Holiday:

• Continue basic training
• Practice in new environments
• Recall in safe spaces
• Positive reinforcement
• Consistency matters

Training Opportunities

Use Holiday For:

• Proofing commands in new places
• New environment training
• Socialisation training
• Building focus with distractions

Packing for Puppies

Essentials

Must Bring:

• Puppy food (full supply plus extra)
• Bowls
• Lead and collar with ID
• Crate if used
• Familiar bedding
• Favourite toys
• Treats
• Poo bags
• Vaccination records

Helpful Items

Consider:

• Puppy pen/barriers
• Extra towels
• Cleaning supplies for accidents
• Long line for recall practice
• Chew toys for settling
• Familiar-smelling blanket

Managing Expectations

What to Expect

First Holidays:

• Some challenges
• Toilet accidents possible
• Sleep disruption possible
• Shorter activities than adult dogs
• Learning curve for everyone

Success Markers

Good First Holiday:

• Puppy enjoys experiences
• Positive associations made
• No major stress or fear
• Some new socialisation
• Everyone survives!

Building for Future

Remember:

• First trip sets foundation
• Positive experiences crucial
• Better to do less successfully than too much badly
• Future travels depend on good early experiences

Frequently Asked Questions

How old should my puppy be for first holiday?

After vaccinations complete (usually 12+ weeks). First proper holiday around 4-6 months ideal. Build up with shorter trips first.

How far can I walk my puppy?

Rule of thumb: 5 minutes per month of age, twice daily. A 4-month puppy = 20 minutes twice daily maximum structured exercise.

Will my puppy's toilet training regress on holiday?

Possibly slightly. New environment can cause some accidents. Maintain routine, increase toilet breaks, stay positive.

Can puppies go to the beach?

Yes, with caution. Short visits, don't overdo exercise, supervise water access, rinse salt off, watch for tiredness.

Should I take my puppy's crate on holiday?

If crate trained, yes. Familiar space helps settling. Safe transport. Useful management tool.

What if my puppy is overwhelmed?

Remove from situation. Give quiet time. Don't force exposure. Let puppy set pace. Keep experiences positive.

First Adventures Together

Your puppy's first holidays create foundations for a lifetime of travel together. Take it slowly, keep experiences positive, and prioritise your puppy's wellbeing over ambitious itineraries.

Start small, build confidence, and enjoy watching your puppy discover the world.

Luke remembers early holidays with each member of the pack - Charlie, Buster, Ember, Simba, Max, and Molly. Those first beach visits, first cottage stays, and first adventures created the confident travelling dogs they are today.