Long train journey with new puppy

[Deleted User]

@buzzyzoe reading carefully through your opening post I think you've got most of the bases covered, even down to the spare trousers! I've got vivid memories of the journey home (by car in that case) with our first little Beagle who was just shy of 12 weeks old; within the first 15 minutes she barfed all over my lap and oh boy did it pong.

So yeah, maybe swap your disinfectant for one of those sprays designed to clean up and deodorise pet mishaps, add a soft absorbent towel, and take a little roll of pedal bin bags and a toilet roll.

The only other thing I'd suggest if possible is to bring a friend with you; if there are any mishaps it'll be way easier to handle with an extra pair of hands.

Other than that have a great journey home with your new bundle of fur!

Fire_Fox

buzzyzoe wrote: »

I can’t drive so that’s not an option. Even if I did it in shorter stages, that’s no guarantee that the pup wouldn’t need to go while we were on the train. Plus, I can only stop as often as the train stops, which I isn’t very often. There are good 1-2 hour chunks where it doesn’t stop at all.

I understand what you’re saying but I’m not sure what the alternative is to be honest. I’m trying to do the maximum that I can to minimise disruption. If you have any suggestions of things that are actually possible for me to do, I’m all ears.

Also is it antisocial to change and then bin a babies nappy on the train? Isn’t that essentially the same thing with regards to any smells? I think baby poo smells worse than dog poo to be honest, and that happens on almost every train journey you go on.

Many options. Buy a puppy that is nearer your home, go by coach, travel on a train that stops frequently, pay the breeder to deliver the puppy to you by car ....

Some people (many children in my city) are frightened of even cute puppies. Some people are allergic to the dander; the puppy might have fleas or worms and shed the eggs; your puppy could catch something from the toilet floor. Wipes are not a proper disinfection.

Yes I think some parents are antisocial/ inconsiderate the way they inflict their baby or child on others on public transport. Other parents do absolutely everything they can to minimise the impact. Ditto people listening to music, making telephone calls, eating smelly food ....

We should ALL make every effort to consider our fellow passengers with our behaviours, and stick to the rules which are there for good reason. That is the minimum not the maximum.

UKTigerlily

My solution would be to go to a local rescue for a puppy, there's plenty coming in of all ages (or the breed rescue, if a specific breed is required). I wouldn't take a pup on a train, that has just left Mum, because anything can happen. We could get a random spell of sauna hot weather again & the train breakdown, there may be nowhere to put a crate (never been on a train with much space other than near the doors), the sounds and smells will be overwhelming.

Plenty of taxis will take dogs, call around and ask, also maybe Uber.

mtbbuxton

buzzyzoe wrote: »

I can’t drive so that’s not an option.

buzzyzoe wrote: »

I don't have any friends that drive

This is the part that worries me the most. Do you have contingency plans in place for emergency Vet visits? If your pup is struggling to breathe or suffers a serious injury in the early hours - and believe me it does happen - have you a way to get them medical help? Vets can treat very little on a home visit (if they'll even do one in the middle of the night) as most of the equipment they need isn't portable.

M x

SensibleSarah

mtbbuxton wrote: »

This is the part that worries me the most. Do you have contingency plans in place for emergency Vet visits? If your pup is struggling to breathe or suffers a serious injury in the early hours - and believe me it does happen - have you a way to get them medical help? Vets can treat very little on a home visit (if they'll even do one in the middle of the night) as most of the equipment they need isn't portable.

M x

This very thing was the motivation I needed to pass my driving test after many years of being too scared to. I absolutely couldn't risk having no transport if something like this happened to my new rescue dog.

To the OP - I understand that you're trying to do the right thing here and I hope the journey goes fine - but no way would I be attempting it with a pup that young. Just too much that could go wrong with an unvaccinated pup that has never met you before and will be frightened and anxious.

If there is some way to find someone to drive you there and back - please take that option instead - so much less stressful for all involved.

Fire_Fox

mtbbuxton wrote: »

This is the part that worries me the most. Do you have contingency plans in place for emergency Vet visits? If your pup is struggling to breathe or suffers a serious injury in the early hours - and believe me it does happen - have you a way to get them medical help? Vets can treat very little on a home visit (if they'll even do one in the middle of the night) as most of the equipment they need isn't portable.

M x

It is fine because, every night at the stroke of midnight, all the carless freaks in the UK turn back into pumpkins and our dogs/ cats/ babies/ small children turn back into doormice.

I have had roughly the same out-of-hours 'contingency travel plans' for over thirty years, since I first persuaded a licensed establishment to serve me alcohol.

Mostly Hackney carriages (black cabs/ white cabs) and private hire vehicles (minicabs), much less frequently night buses or last tube home (and not since I moved Ooop North).

Holding a current drivers license does not guarantee your fitness or safety to drive at all times. Broken spectacles, eye infections, joint sprains, fractured bones, minor day surgeries or investigation (dental/ medical) with anaesthetic, influenza, 'morning' sickness ....

Everyone needs a contingency travel plan IMO. And ready £££££ for the emergency vet of course.

Invernesschick

I don’t know if you’ve done this yet but here’s my take.
We got our new puppy 10 days ago. We had a 5 hour journey with a car and with the two of us it was still a total nightmare.
Like you we tried to think of every possible thing that could go wrong or right? We still didn’t think of everything.
He was sick, he pooped everywhere, he cried. That was the first hour. 😩 we stopped all the time, mainly because my husband was going to puke at the smell 😬 we couldn’t take him for walks because he wasn’t vaccinated and well he doesn’t know how to walk. The lead we bought him fell off 😂😂 (tiny cockerpoo)
The puppy is your main concern obviously. We could not have done that journey on a train nor would I have wanted to because well people. You have to consider them when they’ve paid good money. They do not want to be dealing with all that crying or smell and people will be rude to you.
If you have to do it take someone with you. Puppy crates are big, even the small ones are bulky and it’ll not fit under the table if there are 4 people. You’ll have to sit in the carriage beside the toilet or where they keep the bikes. I don’t go on trains much I don’t know I’m just trying to see how you’ll do it.
I wish you luck. Love our wee man to death 🐶