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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:
MrsElf · 29/07/2023 16:32

All ours are in the car most days. I rotate the dog(s) at work with me, DH occasionally takes one out in the tractor, the spaniel loves to ride on trailers or in the back of the pick up. We’ve not got one that enjoys the quad at the moment, but as it generally goes somewhere interesting they climb aboard with gritted teeth. My lab used to quake while we were going along, but he was a right pain to get off if you didn’t want to take him.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 29/07/2023 16:43

My dog goes in the car every day, why would it be an issue?

I'm confused 😂

He loves a car ride, I think it must be pretty boring for your dog if you never take them anywhere 🤷‍♀️ your dd is a better owner than you op imo.

DeadbeatYoda · 29/07/2023 16:46

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?

This is just not true. I know lots of people with dogs, many of whom have special pens in their boots for taking the dogs with them. My 17 yr old lab cross thinks nothing of getting in my van to go for a walk somewhere other than on our own doorstep.

Zippedydodah · 29/07/2023 16:51

My rescue dog wasn’t keen on car initially, hardly surprising, but now she’s happy to travel with us. Journeys vary from 3 minutes if I park in the village to 45-60 minutes if we feel like exploring somewhere new. It’s really good to get a dog accustomed to travelling in a car, I’d hate to be confined to very local walks when there’s so many places to explore with her.

CurlewKate · 29/07/2023 16:53

@uncomfortablydumb53 when I first read your post I thought you had a dog called Walker-and I was in awe of the best dog name EVER!!!

fancyfrogs · 29/07/2023 16:55

Don't l so why you think 'most' dog owners are like you?! I think everyone I know with dogs takes them in the car for walks, holidays, visits to family etc.
I'd hate to be confined to local walks, great that your daughter and dog can get out exploring. We've been hours across the country with our dog, stopping of course for breaks as I would with the kids anyway.
What a bizarre thread.

mondaytosunday · 29/07/2023 16:59

Some dogs go in the car daily to get to the doggie day care or dog park. I drop my daughter at the station then choose which of three parks to visit, though they are only a ten minute drive or so (I could walk but then half the walk would be on busy city streets rather than in a park). So mine are in the car most days, but not for long.
So in general I think it's fine, but I'd wonder if it's and hour and a half one way regularly? That's a half a day trip! If that distance is just once a week or less then that's ok too.

bellac11 · 29/07/2023 17:03

ncmum72 · 29/07/2023 14:24

She says she thinks her dog is currently indifferent about the car but as I say, she still gives her reassurance before she gets in, so she must be a bit nervous... Sad

No to be fair, they do big woodland walks and then field runs, etc. it always looks very pretty where she goes but some places can be a half hour drive away! Seems very long.

Half hour!!

Ours travelled all over the UK with us, went on every single holiday with us while he was alive, we didnt go anywhere without him, we would never put in kennels

When hefirst travelled in a car he was petrified but he soon got used to it, he had his own box in the back

uncomfortablydumb53 · 29/07/2023 17:04

@CurlewKate
Grinoops capital in the wrong place
He's a good walker but his name is Caleb( my bestie Westie!)

strongcupofTea · 29/07/2023 17:20

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?

No it's not too. I adopted an 11 year old dog and he's out in the car everyday. His previous owner was an elderly lady who never took him out. Your dog will love going on adventures. I'm surprised as a dog owner you're not that way inclined as I thought that's what having a dog is all about??

Tumbleweed101 · 29/07/2023 17:30

My current dog is happy going in the car and knows he's going for a walk the majority of the time. I have had dogs that are less keen on the motion and feel sick. Depends on the dog and how they get used to it as a puppy.

hattie43 · 29/07/2023 17:30

My dogs love the car because they know it takes them to nice places .
Leave your daughter be her dog her car her choice .

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 29/07/2023 17:31

Sometimes I just let the dog come with me for a drive if I'm popping somewhere local. She likes to look at the view.

Gagaandgag · 29/07/2023 18:12

Our dog goes in the car every day. I used to volunteer with the dog warden year ago and she took both hers in the van every day

I honestly think you are overreacting

tigger1001 · 29/07/2023 18:20

I don't see what's wrong with driving to a nature spot to take the dog for a walk. The majority of dog owners I know do that

brokenlore · 29/07/2023 18:59

Ddog loved the car, because it meant she'd be going on a long (3-6 hrs) walk. She can't get into the car anymore as very elderly, and only has short walks, but up until a few months ago, the frenetic tail wagging would start as soon as I picked up her seatbelt harness!

timetochangethename · 29/07/2023 19:10

How do you do a good range of different dog walks without going in a car? There's only so many routes I can do from my house. Ddog loves going in the car, knows she'll be going somewhere exciting.

LiesDoNotBecomeUs · 29/07/2023 20:36

If the dog hates the car or doesn't like walks in new places then she is wrong.

BUT
Lots of dogs love car-rides😁

Others just find them to be safe places that smell of home.

JonahAndTheSnail · 29/07/2023 20:39

I imagine leaving a dog in boarding for a week plus is a far more stressful experience than making a short journey to go for a fun walk. In my experience, dogs just generally like to be around their humans as much as possible.

namechange55465 · 29/07/2023 20:45

I think it's unfair on your dog that you presumably take it on a similar walk from your house every day. Do you never take it anywhere different for a walk?

Our dog goes in the car multiple times a week. She doesn't love it, but she wouldn't love doing the same walk every day either!

BunnyBettChettwynd · 29/07/2023 20:54

JonahAndTheSnail · 29/07/2023 20:39

I imagine leaving a dog in boarding for a week plus is a far more stressful experience than making a short journey to go for a fun walk. In my experience, dogs just generally like to be around their humans as much as possible.

Totally agree. It's funny what some people think acceptable whilst judging others isn't it.

Aprilx · 29/07/2023 20:54

ncmum72 · 29/07/2023 14:30

To be fair I said it's not a huge deal and I was just curious on general opinions as it's very different to my idea of taking a dog in the car, that's all

You are being very weird. A dog that regularly travels in a car, will not mind in the slightest.

CottonSock · 29/07/2023 20:58

Poor you and your dogs must be so bored by this silly restriction you have! Bonkers

WetBandits · 29/07/2023 21:00

Mine used to get terribly carsick when he was small but taking him out in the car was unavoidable so we had to persevere with it and now he absolutely loves going for a car ride, with no vomits for about 3 years! He gets to experience new places and new smells all the time, as does your DD’s dog. Do you just take your dog on the same walks every day? Where is the mental stimulation?

Strange thing to get so worked up about that you post an entire thread about it Confused

SirSidneyRuffDiamond · 29/07/2023 21:29

My dog has happily travelled in cars all his 10 years. We have driven across Europe; from southern England to northern Scotland; from the east coast to west Wales. He has been on ferries to Orkney and Mull, and across Lakes in Italy, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Scotland and Cumbria. On a variety of trains. Many buses. A lots of cable cars. He's visited at least 15 countries with me. He's slept in hotels, officers' messes, camping barns, caravans and tents. He has been up more than 100 mountains (including Ben Nevis. Scafell and Snowdon). He's swum in a lake formed from the glacial run off from the north face of the Eiger; walked around Colditz; walked the line of the Great Escape tunnel. He sits on my Paddleboard; gets pulled along in a bike trailer; and sits in tractors and on quad bikes. So for me my dog is a constant companion and he lives a full life, unafraid and optimistic. A 30 minute car journey is of very little note.