I'm driving to get a new pup, where should I stop to give my new puppy a bathroom break since he hasn't had all of his vaccines yet? Should I let him sleep in his crate next to my bed?

I pick up my new puppy next weekend I have a couple of questions. 1) Its about a 4 hour drive to get the dog. It will have its first immunizations; if I stop on the way home to give it a bathroom break am I putting it at risk of contracting a disease it I stop at a rest area (obviously other dogs would have done their business there too)? 2) The first couple of nights should I have him sleep in a carrier or box next to my bed or just let him tough it out in his crate in the living room?

Cindy's Answer

I just drove 19 hours (each way) to pick up a new pup 2 weeks ago. I never stop at rest areas to walk puppies, I usually pick an out-of-the-way place like an office building, nondog hotel or church. I choose somewhere that is low activity and people aren't pottying their dogs there. I ALWAYS pick up after my dogs, no matter where I stop.

I always keep my puppies in the crate next to the bed, that way I can hear if they wake up and need to go out. I hope this helps.