To think DD taking dog in the car every day is unfair?

[ncmum72]

We have a family dog who we only really take in the car for vet trips and to boarding when we go away or if we go away somewhere here with her. So maybe a few times a year.

DD takes her dog (she is 24 and doesn't live at home) in the car every single day to take to different nature spots. I definitely admire that and think it's nice the dog gets to explore a lot of places, but a dog going in the car every single day just seems so much.

Our family dog definitely doesn't find it a great experience, even if she doesn't mind it too much. I understand it isn't the case for every dog but she has admitted she gives her a little cuddle and treat before they get in the car as she can still be a bit nervous but that she is growing out of that/getting used to it.

AIBU to think this is a bit unfair on the dog? I guess it's not really that important, I'm just pondering it really.

My dog loves the car so much that she jumps in and refuses to get out unless I take her for a dive.

I think people are anthropomorphising Dog’s to the point of projecting their own issues on their pets. Dogs aren’t people and don’t think or reason in the same way. They’re not handbag accessories or substitute children/friends. Dragging dogs everywhere you go creates anxiety for them - especially if they need to be left for a day or a period of time. Fostering that level of dependence is abusive. Dogs that are comfortable being alone in their own home or with trusted friends and family members are much less likely to be reactive or aggressive.

My dog doesn't care about being in the car in the slightest. He lies quietly in his crate in the back until the car stops and then he gets excited for his walk.

He would have had a lifetime of uninspiring walks otherwise!

I don’t think people are at all Fraaahnces. I think people are just suggesting that there isn’t one singular way to be a good dog owner. Our dogs have no separation anxiety but when it’s convenient they have trips out with us. No biggie. Neither are reactive or aggressive.

There are some batshit threads on here. This is up there.
You are seriously making a thread to comment on your adult daughter taking her dog on day trips to different woodland places with lots of different smells and stuff for the dog to explore? You seriously have a problem, enough to come on here to moan about it?

Sounds like she's doing the right things to make going for a drive something for the dog to look forward to, rather than be terrified about - if he then needs to go to the vet, it's just another drive which could be for a lovely walk after a treat, instead of how your dog might be experiencing the car; as an awful prelude to something even worse.

I can’t imagine taking to a website to bitch about my daughter. Shame on you.

Our labrador seems to like the car. He hops in and loves looking out of the window. I'm not sure he'd love a two hour drive but short trips are fine.

before we retired and moved abroad, our dogs were home alot without us. They were ok with it, but now, they go most places with us. Not out to dinner or a movie obvs, but grocery shopping? Yup.. beach walks.. Yup. You just say CAR RIDE and they go nuts. They love it. In Canada they barked at everything going by and were obvs stressed so we didn't do it.. down here , well they love it. air con car, my husband driving, them waiting for me when i run into shops. (husband always stays in the car with them and air running) Only Oliver my boy barks, only once in a while, and always when it is a cow walking down a sidewalk (not kidding) he thinks they are giant dogs hahaha.

Err what? What a weird thing to think. Your dog associates the car with negative consequences. Of course it’s not going to like it. Hers associates it with going on lovely walks to interesting places. Of course it’s fine for a dog to go in the car every day

I think your sister is a superstar. She bothers to do interesting and novel walks with / for her dog.
Beats the " same old round the block on a lead".
Lucky dog.

I don’t see the problem here.

Half an hour isn’t that a long journey.

Another one here for taking the dogs out in the car.

It gives them such a varied set of scents and sights.

It totally depends on the dog. If it enjoys the journey, or the destination then YABVVU. However if the dog is very car sick YANBU.

What a weird thing to get concerned about. Your daughter seems like a responsible dog owner who reassured her dog before they get in the car and takes them on long exiting walks. Very strange!

If I leave my boot open Ddog is in like a rat up a drain pipe

I’m struggling to get my head round why took the time to post this.

Almost everyone where I am takes dogs in cars to the hills or beach. Both are about 20min drive away but too far to walk to daily. People in the most rural areas near me take their dogs in cars the most as there are only crop fields around them.

Our dog goes in the car every single day.

5 days a week I drive to our local nature reserve. It's only about 3 minutes in the car so would be walking distance...but it's at the top of a huuugggge steep hill that I hate to walk, so I drive instead.

2 days a week could be anywhere up to an hour away as we walk in different places.

She absolutely LOVES getting in the car. Full on excitement, zero nerves, she knows the car means an adventure and she's delighted when she sees me pick the keys and her lead up.

We take our dogs in the car most days. We drive to nice walks. The pups are 15 weeks old and they come too we even brought them to the beach with us this week which is a 2 hour drive 🤦🏻‍♀️

I take my dogs gs in the car to take them to different places, more mental stimulation. They love the beach, mooching in woods and going camping. Maybe your dog would cope better if the car resulted in more positive results

Well if you only take your dog in the car to the vets or boarding then I am not surprised they don't find it a good experience.

You DD sounds like she has done a great job in associating her dog with car trips that end in exciting walks.

What do you mean by reassurance? You said a quick cuddle and a treat. When my dogs have jumped in the boot, I’ll give them a treat if I’ve got one to hand and as I unclip their lead, I’ll give them a head rub and praise them. I’m not reassuring them, I’m rewarding them for getting in the car.

I actually feel sorry for your dog in this. They only go in the car to go to the vets, boarding or if they go on holiday with you. So if all those outings happen equally, 2/3 the time they go in the car and it’s to somewhere they don’t want to go. I’m not surprised your dog doesn’t like the car. I would actually take your dog more places in the car, let them explore and sniff new places. It sounds like your daughter is doing a great job and dedicating a lot of time to caring for her dog. I hope you don’t criticise everything little thing in her life like this.

My first dog came everywhere with me. She wasn’t reactive or aggressive at all and I find the pp suggesting that unusual. Most dogs like to be with their owner. My second dog only went in the car for vets/kennels. He was extremely nervous and actually rarely left a mole or so from home. In the end we walked in circles. The only thing that would get him to leave home was a bitch in heat.
I think dog 1 was happier and calmer and lived a “better” life, though dog2 was happy once I learnt to ignore helpful advice from others. Your daughter knows her dog.

Our dog is in the car every single day, often multiple times a day.

Why on earth would it be a problem?