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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

would you leave do in car to go shopping? do you do this often? and for how long?

56 replies

NoahVale · 09/04/2016 10:45

I was going to drive to woods, walk dog, and then go supermarket shopping leaving dog in car, take lead off first.

Now it is raining so my plans may change.

Do you regularly do this. Last time I did this I wasn't long but I am not happy doing this as dog is 3 and not yet used to being left in car

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LeaLeander · 09/04/2016 10:47

Only a couple of times. They were fine.

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Aposey · 09/04/2016 10:55

DF and SM do this all the time, usually not for more than a couple of hours, they try to park in shaded areas, have window reflectors, fans and meshes for the windows and the dog has water. Their dogs have always seemed happier going with them but staying in the car than staying at home. Its fine as long as the car isnt going to get hot (DF's car is often cooler thanks to all that kit than being outside!) and the dog isn't going to get upset by being in the car alone. They also always buy the dog a sausage from the cafe as a treat- pretty sure that helped the dog feel happier about it!

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Wolfiefan · 09/04/2016 10:58

No. Near where we used to live a woman did this and her dogs were stolen.
Most people don't have all the kit Aposey mentioned. Dogs die in hot cars.
If you are reported you might return to find your car window smashed.

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RudeElf · 09/04/2016 11:00

No. I like my dog.

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NoahVale · 09/04/2016 11:15

RudeElf you have the most apt name

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RudeElf · 09/04/2016 11:17

You can see my pointy ears from there?

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imonaplane · 09/04/2016 11:17

I wouldn't do it. A car can heat up so quickly if the sun comes out even with the windows left open. At best your dog would be uncomfortable, at worst dead. Take your dog home before you do your shopping.

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Noitsnotteatimeyet · 09/04/2016 11:18

I've done a quick shop leaving the dog in the car as long as it's not hot outside - so in the middle of winter, yes, from spring onwards, no. I also wouldn't be happy doing a full supermarket shop as that would mean leaving him for about an hour as opposed to ten minutes

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NoahVale · 09/04/2016 11:21

last time i did it i left a window open, and parked in an underground car park.
and no it wasnt a full supermarket shop
i dont do full supermarket shops.

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WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 09/04/2016 11:21

A day like today when it is freezing here yes I would.

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NoahVale · 09/04/2016 11:21

when my dc were little we used to walk to shops and leave that particular dog tied up outside.

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weaselwords · 09/04/2016 11:22

I used to do this with my old dog without a second thought if I parked in a place that was shady (and would stay shady) and cracked the windows open all round so he got a breeze through. He was a very large, fierce looking dog so no one in their right mind would interfere with him or the car.

Current two idiots would howl, try to climb out the windows and eat the car. I probably need to book them into kennels every time I leave them to pay for petrol.

God, I miss my old dog.

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Abecedario · 09/04/2016 11:24

No, I wouldn't. He'd be stressed and it's just unnecessary and really unfair to him.

I have occasionally walked to the village shops and left him outside for up to 5 mins, though a couple of them are happy for dogs to go in on leads.

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exexpat · 09/04/2016 11:29

This time of year, yes, for half an hour or so, but not on a hot or sunny day.

My dog used to really embarrass me by standing on the front seat with his paws on the steering wheel to watch me walk away whenever I left him in the car - everyone would look to see who was frantically honking their car horn . I solved that by always parking pointing away from the direction I was going to walk in, so he wouldn't get on the front seat. I still usually get back to a warm, furry driving seat, though.

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cheerfulmary · 09/04/2016 11:32

Never ever ever. Dog can overheat, dogs are often stolen from cars. Dogs can be stressed by things happening outside of the car.

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CauliflowerBalti · 09/04/2016 11:38

During the winter months/colder spring and Autumn days, all the time. It's something I've made sure they're cool with. I work from home but occasionally have to travel a long way for short meetings. They come with me. I stop and let them stretch their legs/have a wee and a drink, they wait in the car during the meeting (though one client has external meeting rooms and likes me to bring them along), then we have a proper walk somewhere on the way back. I know all the woods along the A1...

Don't think twice about leaving them in the car to do a supermarket shop. They have a huge crate with a bed and water. They come most places with me.

But not in the summer or on sunny days at other times of the year.

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LeaLeander · 09/04/2016 11:39

Dogs are not going to overheat when it's below freezing outside and they are unlikely to be stolen in the busy parking lot of an upscale supermarket. And many dogs love watching the activity.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds....

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NoahVale · 09/04/2016 11:41

exexpat

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LyndaNotLinda · 09/04/2016 11:44

I do when it's not warm outside - always leave all 4 windows open a crack. He's very used to me doing it and just sleeps in the footwell. I take him with me pretty much everywhere - I think he's happier left for a shorter amount of time in a car than a longer amount of time alone at home.

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punter · 09/04/2016 11:51

Yes for half an hour when it is not sunny and/or hot. Punterlab curls up in his crate with one eye open for any shrieking children he could bark at. And yes he barks at them wherever he is.
Does not even stir when I come back to car.

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Aposey · 09/04/2016 11:52

Heh. DF been doing this for as long as I can remember and the dog has never been hot or distressed when we came back, they wouldnt do it otherwise! I mentioned all the kit they use because it is possible to make a car a safe environment for a dog. Being evangelical about never leaving dogs in cars helps noone, least of all the dogs I have known with separation anxiety who would definitely have been distressed to have been left at home but considered being in the car as a safe place.

Seriously, don't assume a dog in a car is hot or distressed, ours wouldn't be. But obviously some people are not as careful as my family, and so obviously it is wrong to leave a dog in an inappropriate/ unsafe place!

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pigsDOfly · 09/04/2016 12:49

I wouldn't do it. Logically I'm sure she'd be fine. When I go to pay for petrol and maybe buy a few bits in the garage shop she's always sitting quietly when I get back.

As pp said it's very unlikely that someone is going to break into a car and steal a dog in the middle of a supermarket car park but that would be my worry and I'd spend the whole time I was shopping panicking in case she was gone when I got back to the car. Much better for my peace of mind to leave her at home; yes, I realize she could also be stolen from my house, but somehow in my head that doesn't seem so likely.

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MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 09/04/2016 15:02

Yes I've done it lots but not for a big shopping trip. Am always having to pop into town and invariably have the dog with me so he often waits in the car. Obviously if it's a hot day I'd either not take him, or if I'm not going into a food shop he could come with me.

I do worry about the possibility of him being stolen but we live in such a sleepy little town that I think we're probably safe. He's a black dog laying on a black rug in a black interior with tinted windows. He doesn't make a noise and no one knows he's there.

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Abraid2 · 09/04/2016 15:05

For quick dash into shop, yes. Not for a big shop.

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foreverandalways · 09/04/2016 15:33

How on earth would you know whether the dog prefers going out in the car to staying at home....SAFE!!! To leave a dog or dogs in a car should be made illegal.....the dog is unable to fend for itself, escape if needs be etc etc.....shame on you if this is the case...you should all be ashamed of yourselves......next time take a moment to seriously think about what you are actually doing...do the decent thing and leave your dog at home....I have two pugs and would not dream of leaving them in the car alone.....seriously think twice everyone, please.......leave them at home.....