8 week old pup in touring caravan?

jmb1

Hi. We are collecting our new cocker spaniel when hes 8 weeks old and will have had his 1st jab. Five days later we have already booked a caravan weekend away. I realise it's not safe to have him outside yet and should certainly be kept away from dogs before he's had his 2nd jab, which I understand is to be at 12 weeks. So would it be safe to drive an hour to the caravan park and then keep him with us inside the caravan for the weekend? And possibly carry him if we do venture out. I also intend to put up a wire pen in the awning directly outside the door for toilet training, and as extra insurance if someone did leave the door ajar briefly.

We are unable to postpone the trip and would lose the money if cancelled. We bought from a private seller (rather than a breeder) so dont think we can ask to collect a week later (nor do we really want to as eager to get him home). We really want him with us but just looking for expert thoughts on this!

Robin9

That poor pup will have a very confuring start to his life with you.  Ask the owner to keep him another week and collect on your return from holiday. Then you can give him proper attention.

Think of your poor caravaning neighbours with a crying puppy next door.

sheramber

Your puppy will need security and a stable routine when he leaves his mum and litter mates. Sorry, but whisking him away to another strange place with a different routine  is not fair on him. 
Leave him  where he is until you come back. 
I left one of mine for two weeks for the same reason. 
I paid the breeder for his board for those two weeks.

 Have you checked  that the  caravan owner/site allows puppies. Accepting dogs sometimes has an exclusion for  puppies due to potential damage from chewing and  toilet accidents.

Pollycat

It's a weekend away versus 15 years with your dog.

If the private seller can't/won't keep him for another week (at most), cancel the weekend and accept that you lose your money.

Collect your new pup and spend the time settling him in to his permanent home.

Aranyani

jmb1 said:

We bought from a private seller (rather than a breeder)

What does this mean?

donnac2558

I am thinking Facebook or Gumtree perhaps which also could be a puppy farm.

Quite a few threads recently of people putting deposits down from sellers on the above only to find the puppy sold elsewhere and no refund of the deposit as bank transfer.

jmb1

donnac2558 said:

I am thinking Facebook or Gumtree perhaps which also could be a puppy farm.

Quite a few threads recently of people putting deposits down from sellers on the above only to find the puppy sold elsewhere and no refund of the deposit as bank transfer.

I meant by that, not a professional breeder, but a private breeder who has bred their own pet twice. It was indeed actually via contact on a private Facebook group, but, we went and visited the litter at the owners house with the pups mum present, being the owners dog and have all their details including where they work in the family business and kept in touch since about them microchipping, first jab, sending development pics etc so genuinely don't think we've been scammed or it's a puppy farm. Really hope not! 
Anyway, we have thought about it and agree it isn't fair on the puppy and generally unwise, so they've agreed to look after him a week longer. 

sheramber

He will benefit from an extra week with his mum.

Aranyani

jmb1 said:

donnac2558 said:

I am thinking Facebook or Gumtree perhaps which also could be a puppy farm.

Quite a few threads recently of people putting deposits down from sellers on the above only to find the puppy sold elsewhere and no refund of the deposit as bank transfer.

I meant by that, not a professional breeder, but a private breeder who has bred their own pet twice. It was indeed actually via contact on a private Facebook group, but, we went and visited the litter at the owners house with the pups mum present, being the owners dog and have all their details including where they work in the family business and kept in touch since about them microchipping, first jab, sending development pics etc so genuinely don't think we've been scammed or it's a puppy farm. Really hope not! 
Anyway, we have thought about it and agree it isn't fair on the puppy and generally unwise, so they've agreed to look after him a week longer. 

A backyard breeder then.  For any future dogs you get, this is not good practice, they will not be responsible and ethical breeders. 

jmb1

Aranyani said:

jmb1 said:

donnac2558 said:

I am thinking Facebook or Gumtree perhaps which also could be a puppy farm.

Quite a few threads recently of people putting deposits down from sellers on the above only to find the puppy sold elsewhere and no refund of the deposit as bank transfer.

I meant by that, not a professional breeder, but a private breeder who has bred their own pet twice. It was indeed actually via contact on a private Facebook group, but, we went and visited the litter at the owners house with the pups mum present, being the owners dog and have all their details including where they work in the family business and kept in touch since about them microchipping, first jab, sending development pics etc so genuinely don't think we've been scammed or it's a puppy farm. Really hope not! 
Anyway, we have thought about it and agree it isn't fair on the puppy and generally unwise, so they've agreed to look after him a week longer. 

A backyard breeder then.  For any future dogs you get, this is not good practice, they will not be responsible and ethical breeders. 

Blimey. You must be the life and soul at parties 

jmb1

sheramber said:

He will benefit from an extra week with his mum.

Yes this was the other positive in its favour we thought of! Thanks