Page 4 | To leave the dog in the car in this situation?

TeaandBiscuits96 · 2023-03-23T07:58:46+00:00

The field where I take the dog for a run is opposite the supermarket. You have to take the dog out and also get 4-5 ingredients from the shop, instead of driving all the way home to just come back on yourself again, would it be okay to leave the dog in the car for a maximum of 10 minutes to run inside the supermarket and grab the 4-5 items? He is pretty chilled out and would probably have a nap either in the footwell or on the passenger seat whilst I was in there and obviously we don’t have hot or even remotely warm weather at the moment for him to overheat. AIBU?

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 23/03/2023 14:41

LlynTegid · 23/03/2023 13:26

Absolutely 100% not. Tying up on a lamppost or somewhere nearby perhaps, definitely not leave in the car. Any one of a number of reasons could delay you.

If it was me making the law it would mean a driving ban.

What are you talking about?!

Leaving a dog tied up outside a shop is MUCH more dangerous than leaving it safely locked in a car.

Two huskies near us were tied up outside a supermarket recently - they both slipped their leads and ended up on the railway line half a mile away.

Surplus2requirements · 23/03/2023 14:42

BCfan · 23/03/2023 13:52

Nope. You're wrong. It doesn't.

I understand why you think this, given the general level of scientific literacy on this forum.

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Assuming it's cooler outside than in the car then leaving windows open allows air to circulate and for hot, rising air to escape keeping the air inside closer to outside temperature.

If the air temperature outside is too hot for a dog then it won't help. If the car is in full sunlight it will delay the rate of temp rise depending on strength of sun, outside temp etc.

I'm interested if you have scientific knowledge that says otherwise.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 23/03/2023 14:44

kittensinthekitchen · 23/03/2023 14:34

All these people saying about not leaving a dog tied up outside a shop need to spend less time on Facebook.
The world is not full of people wanting to steal your labradoodle 🤣

Theft isn't the only risk, though.

They could slip their collar/lead/harness and run off.
A child could approach them and scare them or hurt them.
They could panic at being left and bite someone walking past.
Someone may not like dogs and could kick them or hurt them.

DizzyLizzyKizzy · 23/03/2023 14:57

kittensinthekitchen · 23/03/2023 14:34

All these people saying about not leaving a dog tied up outside a shop need to spend less time on Facebook.
The world is not full of people wanting to steal your labradoodle 🤣

I don't have a labradoodle 🤣🤣! But it's also about dogs slipping their leads, people approaching and annoying me dog, you do realise I don't want you stroking my dog!

sonjadog · 23/03/2023 15:00

Theft isn’t a problem where I live so it isn’t an issue either for tying a dog up outside or leaving them in a car. I would never tie my dog up outside a shop just in case they got loose, or someone was unkind to them etc.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 23/03/2023 15:09

I think it's fine, my dog would be in his crate in the back and not visible to anyone walking passed the car plus he's not the type of dog people want to nick (terrier mutt!)

I wouldn't on a hot day and I wouldn't be more than 15 - 20 min max.

One of my colleagues regularly leaves her dogs in the car the whole day she's at work apart from a quick walk at lunchtime! I am quite judgy about that 😳

alloalloallo · 23/03/2023 15:52

kittensinthekitchen · 23/03/2023 14:34

All these people saying about not leaving a dog tied up outside a shop need to spend less time on Facebook.
The world is not full of people wanting to steal your labradoodle 🤣

I’m not particularly worried about her being stolen, but she could escape her harness/get loose and get into the road/run off/whatever. She’s not a big fan of strangers or children so wouldn’t want someone to approach her - she’s never bitten anyone yet, but never say never.

RedHelenB · 23/03/2023 16:54

I do it all the time, the cars locked.

WiddlinDiddlin · 23/03/2023 16:56

Surplus2requirements · 23/03/2023 14:42

Assuming it's cooler outside than in the car then leaving windows open allows air to circulate and for hot, rising air to escape keeping the air inside closer to outside temperature.

If the air temperature outside is too hot for a dog then it won't help. If the car is in full sunlight it will delay the rate of temp rise depending on strength of sun, outside temp etc.

I'm interested if you have scientific knowledge that says otherwise.

Show quote history

Sure...

If the car were made of brick or stone, and there were vents at the top of the roof and also at the bottom, so that hot air rising could escape and cooler air lower down could enter..

Cars are not made like that, cars are glass and metal that not only heats up easily but the glass actually makes it more like an oven. So even with the windows cracked, the car is FAR hotter inside than the ambient outdoor temps.

Car windows are open at the top, but theres no way for air to enter underneath and rise and escape, particularly as in most cars the window cracked open a bit would be below the level of the roof, so air exchange would be very poor indeed.

You only need the dogs temperature to rise a few degrees for the dog to be very poorly and potentially suffer fatal heat stroke.

Even with windows open, a car interior temp can go up 20 degrees in 10 minutes.

Surplus2requirements · 23/03/2023 17:22

WiddlinDiddlin · 23/03/2023 16:56

Sure...

If the car were made of brick or stone, and there were vents at the top of the roof and also at the bottom, so that hot air rising could escape and cooler air lower down could enter..

Cars are not made like that, cars are glass and metal that not only heats up easily but the glass actually makes it more like an oven. So even with the windows cracked, the car is FAR hotter inside than the ambient outdoor temps.

Car windows are open at the top, but theres no way for air to enter underneath and rise and escape, particularly as in most cars the window cracked open a bit would be below the level of the roof, so air exchange would be very poor indeed.

You only need the dogs temperature to rise a few degrees for the dog to be very poorly and potentially suffer fatal heat stroke.

Even with windows open, a car interior temp can go up 20 degrees in 10 minutes.

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I'm aware of all that but having the windows open reduces the rate at which the car heats up, its far from perfect and won't save a dog in a car in strong full summer sunlight but that's not what is being talked about here.

Don't know where you are but it's March and 13°C here.

After sitting in the sun all morning, windows closed it was 17°C in the car at lunchtime, perfectly comfortable for a dog (who actually sent the morning in the garden)

If the windows were cracked it would likely have been around 15°C.

Taking the worst possible set of circumstances and applying it to everything isn't very scientific.

ismu · 23/03/2023 20:05

Ok @Surplus2requirements how does this work with all the people who take their dogs on camping and camper van trips? People should just use common sense - if you think it's too hot in the car with the a/c off it definitely is. But mostly it's not unless it's really sunny.
As it rarely gets over 16 degrees here and generally rains I'm not getting worked up.

ismu · 23/03/2023 20:05

Sorry @Surplus2requirements that's meant for @WiddlinDiddlin

gogohmm · 23/03/2023 20:08

Always have left ddog in the car as long as it isn't hot of course (if warm I secure him outside the supermarket at the dog tie up point) not worried about theft as would he thief would require hospital treatment!

Surplus2requirements · 23/03/2023 20:09

ismu · 23/03/2023 20:05

Sorry @Surplus2requirements that's meant for @WiddlinDiddlin

No problem, I've quoted myself to disagree before now 😂

DogsDryWineAndCheese · 23/03/2023 20:14

YANBU however I’d prepare yourself for the possibility of encountering a Facebook local page warrior. I left my dog (with the windows ajar) a few years ago in 6 degree heat for around 15 minutes. I got called over the tannoy twice in this time as my dog was in ‘distress’ and another customer was complaining. Each time I re-explained and customer service apologised. The third time, they luckily told her to please leave the premises and to stop coming to customer services as it really wasn’t a warranted ‘issue’. It turns out she’d even threatened to get the police involved about my ‘distressed’ dog. My dog just doesn’t like strangers hanging their face into the bloody car.

Floralnomad · 23/03/2023 20:17

I wouldn’t leave my dog alone in a car or tied outside a shop , he’s way too precious to us to take the risk .

LBF2020 · 23/03/2023 20:36

I do this regularly, when it's not hot/sunny. I try to get a spot against brick wall and I reverse in (dogs are in the boot) our windows are tinted and the dogs are silent so works fine 😊

ismu · 23/03/2023 20:48

@Surplus2requirements I just wonder how we would ever have managed to go to restaurants, dances and ceilidhs for 20 years without leaving various dogs in cars for many years...

tillyandmilly · 23/03/2023 20:58

Thats awful - leaving the dog in the car while she is at work! I am sorry but you should report her - why can't she leave them at home ?

Surplus2requirements · 23/03/2023 21:02

ismu · 23/03/2023 20:48

@Surplus2requirements I just wonder how we would ever have managed to go to restaurants, dances and ceilidhs for 20 years without leaving various dogs in cars for many years...

Bit harsh leaving them in there for many years 😂😂

youbitchesaretwats · 23/03/2023 21:35

Floralnomad · 23/03/2023 20:17

I wouldn’t leave my dog alone in a car or tied outside a shop , he’s way too precious to us to take the risk .

What is the risk by leaving them in the car for a few minutes?

ismu · 23/03/2023 22:38

@Surplus2requirements I wish

CrotchetyCrocheting · 23/03/2023 22:42

We do it all of the time(well except for the summer). They just lay down and sleep. I love seeing their wee heads pop up when they hear the car unlock.

MarchMadness23 · 24/03/2023 06:55

WiddlinDiddlin · 23/03/2023 16:56

Sure...

If the car were made of brick or stone, and there were vents at the top of the roof and also at the bottom, so that hot air rising could escape and cooler air lower down could enter..

Cars are not made like that, cars are glass and metal that not only heats up easily but the glass actually makes it more like an oven. So even with the windows cracked, the car is FAR hotter inside than the ambient outdoor temps.

Car windows are open at the top, but theres no way for air to enter underneath and rise and escape, particularly as in most cars the window cracked open a bit would be below the level of the roof, so air exchange would be very poor indeed.

You only need the dogs temperature to rise a few degrees for the dog to be very poorly and potentially suffer fatal heat stroke.

Even with windows open, a car interior temp can go up 20 degrees in 10 minutes.

Show quote history

@WiddlinDiddlin

that's the information that needs to reach more dog owners. I don't think a lot of people realise just how hot a car can get, in a relatively short period of time, even on dull days that don't feel that warm.

I think worry about theft can depend on your location & your SM, plus your
own worry level.

there are lots of things that didn't worry me 10 years ago, that worry me now.

Dogs should be more welcome in places, then this wouldn't be such a dilemma. (And that would cause non dog people to kick off).