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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

163 replies

ncmum72 · 29/07/2023 14:14

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.

OP posts:
afaloren · 29/07/2023 15:30

Eh? My dog goes in the car every day. Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to get to anywhere he can go off lead and run. What a weird thing to get upset about.

Nugg · 29/07/2023 15:30

My dog goes in the car almost every day because it's easier to get her to really lovely places to walk. The beach is a 20 minute walk from me but less than five minutes in the car - she loves the beach. Why wouldn't I drive her?
She is very very good in the car I've driven for hours with her today without a murmur. I didn't even feel the need to stop for her to go to the toilet because I knew she was settled and happy not all dogs are the same

Original poster
ncmum72 · 29/07/2023 15:32

Yes fair enough, I genuinely know most people with dogs are like me and don't go in the car very often so my DD was actually "the odd one out" but it's been a very interesting read! Is it too late to get a 9 year old dog used to the car then?

OP posts:
Blinkinbloodyhayfever · 29/07/2023 15:34

It's a bit bonkers to be concerned about it. My dogs come with me in the car every day, and I've always got at least one dog at my side wherever I go. One of them is stressed by travelling, but better than leaving them at home alone all day.

ArcaneWireless · 29/07/2023 15:36

The dog I walk loves the car.

So much so, it is not unknown for them to wait patiently by random car doors to be let in.

If they had the opportunity, they’d be in an open car door like a shot.

Some dogs need the stimulation of being walked in different places. The excitement of going somewhere new is joyous to see.

SoupDragon · 29/07/2023 15:37

I genuinely know most people with dogs are like me and don't go in the car very often

You can't "genuinely know" that because it simply isn't true.

BunnyBettChettwynd · 29/07/2023 15:51

My dog has come everywhere with me in the van for a decade. She comes on holiday with us all over the UK and came to work with us in the van every day when we worked. They sell guards and crates for cars specifically so that dogs can travel safely in cars, it's simply normal for many people and their dogs.

Your dog will only associate the car with the vet and kennel. If you want to teach her to feel comfortable in the car you can read this
https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-advice/getting-your-dog-used-car-travel...

Getting Your Dog Used to Car Travel

While car travel is necessary for most dogs, many of them can find being in a moving car stressful.

https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-advice/getting-your-dog-used-car-travel

sanityisamyth · 29/07/2023 15:57

ncmum72 · 29/07/2023 15:32

Yes fair enough, I genuinely know most people with dogs are like me and don't go in the car very often so my DD was actually "the odd one out" but it's been a very interesting read! Is it too late to get a 9 year old dog used to the car then?

I don't see why not. Have you got a short 10 minute drive to a wood or footpath? Start off short with a nice run at the end and build it up. They'll soon associate the car with going to have fun, rather than an injection!

uncomfortablydumb53 · 29/07/2023 16:03

My dog Walker picks up my dog in her van every day and takes him daily for a run up to 10 miles away( woods with streams etc) and he love's getting in, because he knows he'll have fun
If the dog is happy in the car and enjoys his walks then YABU

GlitteryUnicornSparkles · 29/07/2023 16:04

I see no issue with this at all, I think its nice the dog gets lots of drives to nice places for decent walks. Lots of dogs have no issues going in the car. My dog is quite content in the car and just sleeps.

If your dog doesn’t experience going out in a car very often and each time it does its associated with something crap like the vets or being left behind then its no wonder your dog ‘doesn’t find it great’.

strongcupofTea · 29/07/2023 16:07

Yabu dogs HAVE to go different places to experience new smells and new stimuli.

I think it's very sad your dog just goes local and the fact your dog finds the car a negative thing is no surprise if it's only for kennels and vets appointments!

My dogs get so excited to go out in the car cause they know they're going to the beach, the forest etc

Nugg · 29/07/2023 16:08

I should also add that the dogs we have made friends with (note not necessarily the owners 😄) we have taken home in an absolute downpour. To the extent they see my car and wait beside it when it's there 😂

lilybloom2 · 29/07/2023 16:09

My dog loves the car. If I'm going anywhere she tries to jump on to come along for the ride.

SwitchDiver · 29/07/2023 16:11

Your dog associates the car with stressful things like the vet and going away from home. So isn’t going to like the car because they know hopping into it, that there is a vet or being away happening.

A dog that goes in the car to fun stuff all the time is going to be perfectly ok and even eager to hop into the car.

Floralnomad · 29/07/2023 16:11

My dog goes in the car morning and afternoon to get to the field for his walks , he has been unwell this year and can’t manage the walk there and back anymore . A couple of times a week he also goes further afield to a NT or EH place because likes some culture .

Yabusux · 29/07/2023 16:13

I genuinely know, OP, that you don't have much of a clue about dogs. Or cars.

Random789 · 29/07/2023 16:13

Really strange thing to feel concerned about. Loads of dogs love being in the car. And for many more dogs it is simply neutral. If the dog is a little nervous then the regular trips to somewhere lovely is the best way of helping her to get past that.
Dogs who only go in the car to scary places like the vet are bound to feel more negative about it than dogs for whom it is the preliminary to a lovely walk.

CurlewKate · 29/07/2023 16:19

My DD's dog goes in the car every day too. Otherwise he would only walk on pavements-10-15 minutes away there are a fantastic range of green spaces. Why wouldn't she take him there?

longtompot · 29/07/2023 16:20

The difference is your dog associates the car journey with vets or boarding, so you being away or something perhaps not nice.
Your dds dog associates the car with fabulous walks.

Our dog doesn't mind the car but she seems to know when we are reaching our destination as she starts whining. Our friends dog used to be very sick in the car and drool a lot.

BunnyBettChettwynd · 29/07/2023 16:20

Just thinking about my dog's happy little life and all the journeys she's been on - van trips to work, car trips to camping, train trips for visits to other cities and on one lovely sunny day a boat trip off of Weymouth. All the adventures she wouldn't have had had she not been trained early on to be comfortable in many situations that enabled her to spend happy times out with the family.

Boulshired · 29/07/2023 16:21

My old dog is full of arthritis now, he’s out in the car (got his own ramp) every time it’s suitable. He loves it and I’m glad we got him use to as a puppy as it’s paying off now

Truemilk · 29/07/2023 16:23

Definitely depends on the dog

My dog absolutely loved car rides

HaveYouHeardOfARoadAtlas · 29/07/2023 16:26

Walking a variety of routes and locations is Really good for dogs. Walks are as much about mental stimulation as physical exercise and they may get bored with the same routes. Half an hour in the car is nothing. I really would not give it a second thought

HaveYouHeardOfARoadAtlas · 29/07/2023 16:28

OP, if you wanted you could get your dog more used to seeing car journeys as a positive thing. Short journeys, positive reinforcement and treats, nice walk at the end. Your dog would soon be leaping in.

MiniCooperLover · 29/07/2023 16:31

I find it bizarre that you think half an hour is the max journey dogs should do. We've done hours and hours of driving with ours in the boot, she lies down and sleeps most of it, pops her head up now and then so we'll stop and let her have a wee and keep doing. She's fine. Nothing wrong with a long car journey as long as she's with her 'pack' then she's happy.