Puppy in car

Hello,
When taking bolo out in the car he normally stands on our lap, as he loves being nosey out the window, but we really need to get him out of it as we've started going on longer car journeys with him and we're driving down to Devon next year for him to experience the beach....want to put him in the boot but don't think he will stay in there!?
Does any one have a doggie car seat? Or how does everyone else's puppies travel?
Thanks

Is he big enough to climb out of the boot? We started putting ours in at a young age (we put some flat doggy cushions in there for them to sit on) and they were too small to get over. They are now big enough to get over if they wanted to but both of them are quite happy in the boot now. My mum has a cage divider on her back seats that means that hers cannot climb in from the boot. Before that she had a doggy harness that clipped into the seat belt clip but when the dog moved he often stepped on it and it released so it really wasn't very safe. You can also get travel crates that go in the boot but I have never used one so can't really comment on those

My Flo has a large boot to move about in with just a blanket for short trips or her small bed if we go further. To be honest, she has never tried to get out from there & I think she would complain if she had to share it

There are seat belt buckle attachments you can buy which keeps them in one place, might be worth looking at.

Ok thanks...Maybe we just need to bite the bullet and put him in the boot then! He has a doggie seat belt but he just wants to sit on your lap, so generally don't use it! I think he is big enough to get out, but I guess we won't know unless we try it and see what happens! Was worried he might be a bit small, and go all over the place in there

I have a 4WD with open rear tray so he's clipped in there. What about a car harness, they just buckle in?

Give it a go and see what happens, if he doesn't move and settles down you'll have saved a couple of £'s

I have one of the seat belt attachments but I've never used it as he'd still be able to jump all over the kids and it would be too much of a distraction.
At the moment, he is in a cat carrier in the boot, up till now he hasn't minded it all all just goes straight to sleep but he is getting a but squished in it now. I have a hatchback so am going to get one of the grilles and give him the run of the boot.

I've used the seat belt clips as a training aid, getting a dog used to travelling, as the back seat can be a good halfway house between you and the boot. Try the boot first maybe and, if that doesn't work, switch to the back seat while he gets used to it.

I'd also suggest giving Bolo a rawhide chew or something so that he has a pleasant association with being there and also so he is distracted.

I would if the boots big enough have the option of the grill as well and how about a puppy kong as a good distraction .

I always have lexi in the foot hold and when she got too big she went in the back (and ended up in the foot hold)

Katy used to sleep on my lap, then the passenger seat with a seat belt clip, but mainly now she takes up the whole back seat If she wants attention she nudges my elbow or the oh's for a stroke

Jenc wrote:Katy used to sleep on my lap, then the passenger seat with a seat belt clip, but mainly now she takes up the whole back seat If she wants attention she nudges my elbow or the oh's for a stroke

Yes i have that clip too its very handy esp for the back seat. I was stopped once and told if a dog is loose its breaking the law

As well as the legal side, the first consideration should be safety. While you are moving, your attention should be on the road. I'd also say that if a dog can move around on the back or passenger seat enough to get into the footwell, they are not secure enough. If you have to brake suddenly, they risk getting thrown around and that includes onto you. The seatbelt clip should be long enough that they can move to get comfortable but short enough to limit them to the place in the car where it is clipped.

Remember that it is not just your safety that is in question, it is that of others around you. I've seen a few dogs on drivers laps and standing on the passenger seat with feet on the dashboard recently and it makes me wince. Lovely for the dog, lovely for the driver, but negligent when it comes to road safety.

I agree Liz, Katy is always secured, I don't want my baby Or 4 stone crashing through me if I have to hit the brakes hard

I currently put Elsa in the boot and she hates it.  She works herself up that much she makes herself sick.  I have to carry wipes and a carrier bag with me in the car.  Even when I don't feed her before the trip, if its anything longer than 15 minutes, she's physically sick.  I want her to get used to it because we plan to take her away for holidays next year but I don't want her to stress herself out. I try to make her comfy with her blanket and a toy but it makes no difference.

How can I get her to stop stressing about it?
x

Just have her enter the car a couple of times and like if you would really go on a trip but without actually starting the car. Let her out, give a treat and do something really fun! Increase the time spent in the car. Ignore any wining or attention seeking (this is the hardest part), in the beginning you can even give her a treat in the car, since you're not driving around, when she's calm. She'll eventually make the association that getting in the car and going somewhere equals something fun! If she's calm in the car with you, you can then progress with the following steps, alternate with the previous steps to make the transition smoother: the same just with starting and stopping the car, just being in the car while it runs in stationary, just driving a short distance, driving around the block and then drive to someplace nice etc... If the next step is too difficult, return to the previous ones
Might take a while though but you'll get there.

I must admit he took to the back seat without any issues. We can put his harness on, and put him into the seatbelt holder and he will sit up or lie down or just get comfy.
Very impressed! No yelping or barking or crying. I think as he can still see us he doesn't mind!

LizP wrote:

I'd also suggest giving Bolo a rawhide chew or something so that he has a pleasant association with being there and also so he is distracted.

i heard somewhere that rawhide chews were dangerous for dogs - especially unsupervised, as it would be if you're driving?

Rawhide is fine as long as it's part of a good diet. And as long as the dog chews it up so it goes soft before swallowing, I think the danger is if they swallow while it's still hard as it can pierce internal organs I read somewhere.

If it was jnsafe it wouldn't be for sale.

it isn't piercing, apparently, it's fact that it swells in the stomach, so large pieces can cause blockage. plus, it's cleaned with chemicals that are often still there.

pet safety standards are lower than human safety standards.

http://thebark.com/content/dangers-rawhide-dog-chew-toys

Every dog chew can potentially be dangerous which is why dogs should be supervised at all times. I gave mia a chew shes used for years a piece of the chew got logded in the side of her mouth and i had to dislodge it with my hands otherwise she would have been uncomfortable was scary . Needless to say she doesnt get these treats now and have bought her them for years.

You have me worried about rawhide now!!
Bolo loves a bit of rawhide and we leave him with it during the day. Think I might stop doing that now. What is a good alternative because he loves a good chew. He didn't really take to his nylabone, he does love to chew his puppy soft toys and ropes, is there anything harder and more challenging he can chew that you recommend?

I don't think any dog should be left alone with any chew Tha can have bits chewed off it.

stag bars seem to be popular now.

My Flo has Antlers dotted around the house for when she fancies a chew. Beware of the Bull horns as they can splinter and are sharp but you'll be fine with the Antlers.

Cool thanks for the advice. I shall be after some stag antlers now.