Can I Transport an Eight-Week-Old Puppy?

Your boyfriend surprised you with a brand new Belgian Malinois puppy! You’re absolutely ecstatic, but you do have a few concerns. First of all, there’s a lot of training, from behavioral to housebreaking. The other issue? He had to purchase the puppy from an out-of-state breeder and neither of you have the time to drive hundreds of miles to pick her up. And, you’re also wondering, “Can I even transport an eight-week-old puppy?”

General Considerations

The good news is that generally speaking, yes you can transport a puppy. However, there are some requirements before the puppy gets the go-ahead for transport.

• The puppy must be at least eight weeks of age.
• You must have a USDA-certified veterinarian issue a health certificate for the puppy.
• The health certificate certifies that the puppy is healthy enough to travel.
• Your puppy needs vaccinations before being transported.
• It’s recommended that you have your puppy dewormed and microchipped before travel.

Choosing the Mode of Transportation

Now that you know it’s legal and safe to transport an eight week old puppy, it’s time to choose the mode of transportation. There are three options — air travel, car travel and train travel.

Air Travel

If you need to move the puppy a great distance, air travel may be the most time-efficient. After all, planes can travel across the country in a matter of hours, while driving will take several days.

However, before you send your puppy off on an air travel adventure, you should keep a few things in mind. While air travel is convenient, it may not be the best choice for the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of your furry buddy.

1. Check the specific airline policy for transport of puppies — most allow for animals up to around 20-25 pounds to ride in a carrier in the cabin.
2. If your puppy is larger than that, it’ll have to ride in the cargo area of the plane. We highly recommend against that, especially with a young dog.
3. Your dog will need to purchase a ticket, though it’s much less expensive than an actual seat on the plane.
4. Animals that fly in the cabin area must remain in their carrier for the duration of the flight.
5. Additionally, if you fly with a puppy it must be well-behaved and not a disruption to passengers.

Car Travel

Driving the puppy yourself is usually the simplest option because there are no extra steps and requirements from outside companies. While simple, it’s a huge time commitment for you to undertake.

• Always practice safety — your puppy should remain in a carrier with a seat belt to keep it safe. Even a small accident could seriously injure or kill a puppy.
• Schedule regular potty breaks so the carrier doesn’t get too dirty or smelly, and so your puppy can exercise.
• Make sure the puppy always has access to water, but be careful about feeding them because it could cause carsickness.
• Keep your car at a comfortable temperature and never leave a dog alone in the car.

Train (or Bus) Travel

The third option is train travel. For Amtrak, the fee is $25 and you should have an eight week old puppy and a carrier that is well ventilated and comfortable and placed on the floor in front of you.
You should also make reservations well ahead of time because there are usually very limited places for pets on board.

Other Options

• Pet Ground Transport: There are many companies that offer pet delivery services through ground transport. Several factors determine the cost like distance, location, pet breeds and size, and more.
• Two-Way Marketplace: Opt for a two-way marketplace like CitizenShipper where you can plug in your dog’s info and you can get quotes in a jiffy. Choose the driver you like best and book your transport afterwards.

Preparation For Travel

• You should acclimate your puppy to the carrier in advance so that they know how to be inside of it without stressing them out too much.
• You also need to feed them a sizable meal a few hours before travel ((to avoid nausea) and make sure they do their business beforehand as well.
• Pack several comfort items that will be de-stressors for your puppy. These include a toy, a blanket, or any item with your scent that could comfort your puppy.

During Travel

• During your journey, you should always keep an eye on your puppy to ensure they are not stressed or uncomfortable.
• Keep your puppy well hydrated.
• If you’re driving, plan regular potty and exercise breaks.
• If your puppy has an accident on the journey, make sure you have cleaning supplies on hand.

Post-Travel

• After traveling, give your puppy water and food.
• If your puppy needs to do their business, let them in an appropriate place as well.
• Check for any signs of stress or health scares that your puppy could have had during the journey.
• Lastly, comfort your pup so that they feel safe and comfortable.

Bottom Line

The bottom line is that you can, in fact, transport an eight-week-old puppy. Eight weeks is the minimum Mark that airlines and train companies allow a puppy to travel. By that time, you should have acclimated them to do their business outside and train them adequately. If you are thinking of bringing along your eight week old puppy to another destination, feel free to do so!