Travelling with Puppies | First Holidays with Your Puppy

Travelling with puppy first holiday beach adventure young dog exploration

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.

Table of Contents

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:

Is the garden fully enclosed and puppy-proof?
Are there any gaps in fencing?
Is the property ground floor or has stairs?
Any hazards to be aware of?
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.