Shipping a puppy?

[jellyben]

We are getting serious about getting a dog, and we are leaning towards a cockapoo! They are small and gentle and really seem to fit the bill for our family. There is a breeder about 5 hours away that will ship a pup, but I worry about what that would do to the poor thing. We could possibly pick the pup up on the way back from our road trip, but what would 5 hours in a minivan with 3 kids and a new pup be like?!
DH would rather find a breeder closer to Seattle, but I am having trouble finding cockapoo pups in Seattle!

Has anyone shipped a puppy? Thoughts?

[doglady8]

I haven't shipped a puppy, but I've been on the receiving end a few times.

I've had puppies shipped to me via various van lines that specialize in transporting animals - usually a retrofitted van with driver and vet tech on board.

One puppy was sent that way from California because they breeder refused to let her animals fly. The trip took 5 days - this dog is the sweetest thing - 185 lbs of drooling st. bernard.

I don't think you could tell that any had been sent - just make sure to use a reputable firm - if you did drive, I'd suggest going by yourself, I picked up a pup from 1 1/2 hrs away - poor baby cried the entire trip! Very distressing for me, let alone if you had kids along.

If you'd like more info, let me know. HTH

[Ms. Chevious]

Just make sure they cut holes in the box.

[MISSINDI]

Like doglady, I haven't shipped a dog, but have been on the receiving end of two Berners. Especially the first time, I worried A LOT -- we've all heard the stories of dogs lost at the airport/tarmac. Our dogs were coming from Chicago, so the drive would have been a lot longer. If it was only 5 hours, I'd have been inclined to go pick them up. If you're concerned, can someone stay with some or all of the kids while you get the dog?

[blazedog]

Hi -- My friend bought a cookapoo from one of the serious cookapoo breeders in Washington (we are located in Los Angles). Because of the breeder's reputation, the puppies are routinely shipped all over and the breeders are very careful -- these are the furthest things from puppy mills --

If you need any info or data, please let me know. My friend couldn't be happier with her dog -- he is quite wonderful (I'm his aunt of course) as she is still wired into the world -- the good breeders do very serious culling out of the poodle/cocker genetic disorders.

I just realized you are in Seattle -- I am almost certain my friend's dog came from Washington or Oregon.

[jellyben]

Blazedog, I would LOVE any info you can give me about your nephew's breeder!!

Doglady and Missindi, I feel better about shipping if we have to, and I will make sure to ask lots of questions about the process. I spoke to a neighbor whose labradoodle was shipped from Australia(!!), and that dog is quite well adjusted(and too cute!!)

[and716]

Hi there! Here's my two cents: Even if shipping is deemed 100% A-OK, I'd feel uncomfortable taking home a puppy I'd never met. It's a big commitment, after all. I say leave the kids at home and drive out to check out the puppy. While there, you can see that breeder eye to eye and decide if s/he's trustworthy, and also check out the puppy's momma (and maybe even some siblings). You might even get your pick of the litter, in which case you can find the best personality match for your family. If it's love at first sight, bring the puppy home to the kids.

[blazedog]

Jellyben -- My friend sent this information -- Toby is a wonderful dog and so is his daughter who went to my friend's brother. I would think Oregon would be driveable from Washington but I guess it depends on where in each state.

Here's the info on Toby's breeder. I think the world of her. Also, check out the web site.


6 STARS_ Debbie Cowdrey, Starlos Cockapoos, Christmas Valley, Oregon_
Website:_ www.starloscockapoos.com_
Email: starlo@internetextension.com_ Phone: 541-576-2493_
Puppies due in July!_ CCA American Cockapoos™_

[jellyben]

Blazedog, thank you so much for the information! I remember perusing that breeder's site before and it is so nice to hear good things about it! I will contact them.

[alicerh]

I say go pick up the puppy and take the kids with you. You want to check out the breeder and the facility ( clean, well fed animals etc). Let the kids sit on the ground and then let the pup choose you. You want a dog that is not fearful and timid . A playful, confident puppy will want to be climbing all over the kids. You didn't state the age but I hope it at least 8 weeks.

[golden1225]

Karen, I agree with the others on meeting the puppy first. I've been involved with all kinds of dog-related activities for years (obedience, pet therapy and rescue work) and have to stress how important it is to find a dog that you bond with and bonds with you. Second to that (and almost more important to me) is that shipping any animal is dangerous. The cargo area of a plane is typically well regulated, but should the pilot have problems, the cargo area will be the first to potentially suffer from a change in pressure or temperature. Not to mention that there is not an attendant down there monitoring your animal; what if he or she had a health problem? Think how many times luggage doesn't make it to its destination - I'm sure you would be devastated if your puppy was lost or missing for a few hours. I have heard so many horror stories that I would personally never ship an animal if at all possible.
But best of luck to you! Animals are such great additiona to a family. Report back on what you decide to do!
:)

[blazedog]

It really isn't dangerous for the dogs to be shipped in this manner. The breeders are shipping very valuable animals and they really aren't going to put their investment at risk. At least the breeders that I am familiar with are incredibly concerned with the homes the animals go to.

Not that these types of kennels are puppy mills, but most dogs at pet shops are shipped anyway.

FWIW, for some breeds, you can't find quality breeders in the immediate environment. Based on my friend's experience, there really isn't a lot of choice in terms of the desirable litters anyway -- you basically get put on a waiting list and, as I recall, she was basically told she was gettng this particular puppy after indicating that she wanted a male -- and I believe she wanted a particular color and other attributes.

If you want a cockapoo that has been bred for certain desirable attributes, there aren't that many choices. The breeders are very serious about ensuring quality bloodlines.

[blazedog]

As I recall, my friend's cockapoo was basically picked out before he was born. She was asked to send an article of her personal clothing which was given to him almost immediately after birth so that he would bond to her more easily.

As I posted earlier, the really quality breeders are obsessed with both the dog and his/her parent having a quality relationship.

[mbrogier]

My dad trains police dogs. He gets most of his dogs from Europe. A person from the breeders accompanies the dogs on the flight to the US. My dad wouldn't do this if it wasn't safe, but he prefers someone with the dogs so the baggage handlers are less likely to set the dogs aside somewhere on the tarmac.

When I visited last, he almost sent me to Amsterdam to get a few dogs. I didn't have my passport. :(

I would definitely go see the puppies with the kids and pick one out. You really don't know the breeder, and while most are honest, you don't want the runt of the litter or something just because it was shipped.

[mbrogier]

I tried to edit, but the site wouldn't let me.

For your situation, I would suggest taking the kids and visiting the breeder. Yeah, it will be a long trip home, but the kids will remember picking out their dog. Also, small dogs can be timid around kids. You want a puppy that loves to play and be held. I remember picking out a puppy when I was little. I was in college when she died. Your new dog will be a long term commitment, and your kids will love being a part of it.

[jellyben]

Thanks for all the input. Right now pur plan is to visit the breeder on our way out to Wyoming on our vacation. If we are happy with the situation and find a puppy we like, we will then pick up the puppy on our way back to Seattle 2 weeks later. We will have to endure a car ride with 3 kids and a pup, but we stop a lot anyway with the kids.

Now I must go puppy supply shopping!

[ChristieinMB]

FWIW, I picked up my seond pup, drove by myself for over an hour home, my Abigail never made a sound, she was happy, not frightened. She also never cried her first night at her new home. We still laugh about taking her in the car shortly after getting her, she was happily lying on her back (in her crate) sleeping. Seeing her in that submissive position told us she was relaxed. Your new pup may be an angel on the ride home.

[alicerh]

Originally posted by jellyben
We will have to endure a car ride with 3 kids and a pup, but we stop a lot anyway with the kids.

Now I must go puppy supply shopping!

This is the perfect time to start crate training. She can see out the door and windows but can safely sleep too.

[x2ul]

I absolutely love the idea of parents crate-training their children!

:-)

[mama-dog]

There are a few very good cockapoo breeders in wa who are not mills or BYB's. They care about and love their dogs and raise their puppies very well and guarantee their health..

I got 2 cockapoos over the last few years from a breeder in western wa not to far from Tacoma.. We love the breeder, she is awesome and really cares about her pups!
Kardons cockapoos (http://www.cockapoos.us) is the name and her name is Karla

There are a couple of other's but we liked her the best because she spent time with us and has been there for us still 4 years later:)

[Beth]

We got our lab pup in an unplnned trip where we had to drive back for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. We stopped (without aleash) and tried to get her to go inthe grass, but she was too nervous and interested in the new smells and we were too afraid of loosing her. We made it home and she made it to the back yard without incindent. She rode in our cat carrier (on the floor between the boys) since that is all we had at the time. I think you can make the drive, and the kids will love bringing their puppy home.

Do have a few things ready for the trip -- a collar and leash, a water bowl, a puppy chew toy, maybe some puppy food or treats and an old towel or puppy training pads -- just in case.

eth -- who is now off to find a home for a lab pup we bought now that the boys say they can't give up the foster dog we have. Can't do three dogs....three big dogs. ;)

[mama-dog]

We got our lab pup in an unplnned trip where we had to drive back for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. We stopped (without aleash) and tried to get her to go inthe grass, but she was too nervous and interested in the new smells and we were too afraid of loosing her.

You should never take your puppy to public places until it has had all of it's vaccinations. They are not fully protected (if at all) until then. Never take where you think or know other dogs or wild animals have been.. Parvo is ver contagious!!

On trips use potty pads in the back of your car.. Most puppies can hold it for a very long time in the crate on a drive home from being picked up..

Congrats on your new puppy..

[nancymaring]

Just remember, you are buying a mixed breed dog. If your going the way of a mixed breed dog, I would strongly suggest you support our local animal shelters....last year, Tacoma alone put to sleep 1500 healthy, NO behaviorly problems dogs...many more then that were put to sleep that DID have temperment/behaviorly problem, but 1500 healthy dogs were put to sleep for no other reason then some one wanted a puppy rather then a young adult.

Also, if you get an adult dog, you will already know the size it will be as an adult, any medical conditions it may have, and what it's temperment is like. Most likely it will be housebroken, leash trained and crate trained. In short, you will have a dog 'ready to go' rather then having to deal with all the puppy stuff. It will adjust to your children in days, rather then months...

You might also seriously look into purebred dogs...you have a better chance of getting the temperments and phyiscal requirments that you desire. Your only crossing your fingers with a mixed breed dog.
Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue does a fabulous job...they screen their dogs (and adoptive parents) really well...

Might I ask what happened to your other dog? Knowing you were having problems with her temperment, is even more of the reason that I so strongly suggest that you get a young adult rather then a puppy.

I would let the experts at that shelter or rescue guide you. There is more to picking out a dog then it's 'good looks and charm'. For instance...the first puppy that runs up to you and your kids is probably NOT the puppy for you. Your kids are still young and having a headstrong puppy (or adult dog) will be difficult...also...the puppy that hangs back isn't a good choice either. Too shy has temperment problems in a different direction. You need something that is more middle-of-the-road...
And then there is the whole, 'what is typical for that breed'...a middle-of-the-road Jack Russell has a vastly different temperment then a middle-of-the-road King Charles Spaniel. And these are the purebred dogs! It a mixed bag of shells with a mixed breed dog.

Either way you go...you CAN find a perfectly good dog for you and your kids within 30 minutes drive of Issaquah...if not in Issaquah it's self.

cheers...nancy

[mama-dog]

Just remember, you are buying a mixed breed dog. If your going the way of a mixed breed dog, I would strongly suggest you support our local animal shelters....last year, Tacoma alone put to sleep 1500 healthy, NO behaviorly problems dogs...

So many of those dogs in Tacoma HS are pit bulls!!! I have friends who work there and I used to do rescue and went there daily..They rarely have small breeds.. And you have no way of knowing their history, or really what mix they are.. They will call anything with a curl a cockapoo in the HS and that is a known fact!

Have you been to the tacoma HS lately? seen what they are charging for "purebreds" and small dogs? They charge as much as 400.00 for a small dog, go look I do not lie!! Had an awful looking dog they called a pom (looked mixed to me). But were charging 250.00 for it and it was 8 years old.. A chihuahua was there going for almost 400.00.. Made me sick..

Also, the tacoma HS is going NO KILL, they started LAST year with no kill..However I am sure they still do it.. they are also more picky about the dogs they take. And are no longer doing county licensing for pets.. You have to go to the court house now. That started 2005 with that..

Tacoma is the worst city (pierce county actually) for pits..People breed them here constantly.. Look on craigslist.org and you will see what I mean.. Where do they end up when they can't even give them away? the HS and PTS!

Not everyone wants a big dog and most at the HS are big (45lbs and up)..

I would also like to remind you that ALL "purebreds" started out mixed and they all have a more than 1 breed mixed in.. Some have several breeds mixed in and over the years after getting the right look, doing multi-generational became purebreds and recognized by the almighty AKC..

If someone wants to spend several hundred on a mixed breed, that is not your business in any way, shape or form!!..

[newcook]

I picked up my puppy and drove back with her. I can't remember exactly how long the drive back was, but it was more than 5 hours. I did not go alone because I did not want to be distracted while driving such a long distance, so I was able to sit by her the entire way. She was quiet the whole time. At one point I was concerned that she may need to go potty and the breeder had given me a pee-pad but she would not use it. I put down a piece of newspaper and that did the trick.

Concerning the choice of breed, have you looked into the character traits of your breed? I am not an expert but I have a friend who had a cocker spaniel and it was so hard to deal with. She brought it to the pound several times because she was at her wits end. The people at the pound each time gave her good advice about how to deal with the problem at hand and she went back home with the dog. Each time it was a different problem. In the end, after several years of dealing with behavior problems, she gave up the dog. The pound told her cockers are very unpredictable in their temperaments and can be very headstrong. They also tend to bark alot. There are other poodle mixes that are rather small, like poodle-bichon, or poodle-maltese and I'm sure there are many others as well. Anyways, I'm not saying this to discourage you, only to help you choose so you can be really happy with your dog.

[jellyben]

Might I ask what happened to your other dog? Knowing you were having problems with her temperment, is even more of the reason that I so strongly suggest that you get a young adult rather then a puppy.



cheers...nancy

Actually, this thread is quite old-it got bumped up yesterday!! We did buy a little cockapoo pup and we did drive with her for 4 hours without incident. She does have some training issues that we need to deal with but he has turned out to be a wonderful little member of the family! I love my little Salsa!

We did look into adopting from shelters or from PetFinder, but we found many people saying no to us because at the time we had 2 children under 5.

[Beth]

Jellyben, I'm sorry I didn't notice the old date. Seems like we had someone wanting to find a place to park their soapbox and I would have avoided bumping the thread had I noticed. Three posts only to incite -- :rolleyes:

[nancymaring]

Jellyben...I too did not notice that this was an old thread. Sorry..if I had realized you were talking about the dog you still have I wouldn't have jumped in.

Mama-Dog....slow down! Yes, I'm aware what is going on at the Tacoma Humane Society. Yes....they are going to a no-kill shelter...which is never all that it is cracked up to be. Yes, I know they have pit bulls...which they don't adopt out. Most are put down for behaviorly issues. Yes, I know that all purebred dogs were once mixes...I have been making my living working with dogs for 30 years.
I'm also aware that Jellyben has had temperment issues with Salsa. When I read her post I was just concerned that she was getting into the same boat again.
Because I work with dogs daily...and often with dogs that have behavior and temperment issues...it is just sad to me that perfectly mentally healthy dogs, mixed and purebred, won't get a home, and will be put to sleep...while mentally unstable dogs, mixed and purebred, will get homes simply because they are puppies.
I see people struggle the entire life of the pet to deal with issues (such as the cocker example, above) which the owner was just not aware they were getting into. I think you would agree, it is a lot more fun to own a healthy dog, then to deal with one with issues.

nancy

[armel]

I think you would agree, it is a lot more fun to own a healthy dog, then to deal with one with issues.

nancy

I must be weird then. It is a lot more fun for me to own the Gigi monster with all of her medical and social issues than any healthy dog I have ever had. But that is because she is such a sweetie pie (in her own unique Greta Garbo way) and somehow her temperament and mine are a good match.

so you never know.