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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:
SirSidneyRuffDiamond · 29/07/2023 21:30

I have never, and would never, put him into a boarding kennel however...

YesItsMe44 · 29/07/2023 21:51

Most people I know take dogs in the car depending on the activity. Mine loved it. Though, one day I was getting ready to leave and she planted herself firmly on the doormat. No way in hell she was going into the car. I had to laugh. She must have needed a mental health day. Lol. She let me know she had a voice re a car ride. We had a decent yard, and mpst car rides were to the dog park where she was off leash, play with dogs, etc., and I did the walking trail. I am limited walking, so a dog park gave her the hour of excercise to run free.

MiniTheMinx · 29/07/2023 21:56

Mine loves the car. Understands the word car and gets excited. He likes buses too. He's tried several times to pull towards stationary buses and bus stops! He likes the train, especially if he can sit on my lap and look out the window. He even goes on the underground. This suits me because I can go out for the day without worrying, he simply comes too. If we go out for the day I take his food and water with us. He comes on holiday too and sits in the car either looking out the window or naps.

MiniTheMinx · 29/07/2023 21:57

SirSidneyRuffDiamond · 29/07/2023 21:30

I have never, and would never, put him into a boarding kennel however...

Same

Didiplanthis · 29/07/2023 21:58

Depends on the dog... one of mine would ride round in the car looking out the window all day... she a nosy bugger and loves it ..the other buries himself under the bed and is not at all impressed... girl dog would LOVE what your daughter does, boy dog would hate it ( hates new places as well as the car !)

Pugdogmom · 29/07/2023 22:00

Honestly, what a kerfuffle over nothing! My dogs are regularly in the car and get very excited about it . They like Spotify on and we sing along....🤣, including the dogs sometimes. At the end of the journey, there is a playdate with their friends, off lead dog runs, or a trip to the beach.

I really don't see the issue

Mrsjayy · 29/07/2023 22:01

Our dog loves the car and we take him loads of places with us half an hour Isn't long really, I mean if your dog doesn't like the car that's fine to just take them occasionally,but your Dds dog is absolutely fine.

Cas112 · 29/07/2023 22:04

How is this serious.. it's her dog and there is worse things she could be doingConfused

10HailMarys · 29/07/2023 22:04

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

Did you genuinely think that all dogs dislike car travel?!

Plenty of dogs absolutely love the car, especially if they associate it with something exciting like a walk. The best way to help a dog enjoy the car is to take them to nice places in it.

If you only take your dog in the car to take them to the vet or to dump them at boarding kennels for a week, then of course they won’t like the car, because they know that a car journey means something they hate is about to happen.

lapisamethyst · 29/07/2023 22:05

My dog loves a car trip.

Mrsjayy · 29/07/2023 22:06

We had a rescue dog who wasn't keen on the car it was such a hassle taking him.to the vets or wherever, that when we got .our pup we decided to.take him everywhere to get used to the car.

Lovemusic33 · 29/07/2023 22:09

Sounds like the dog has a great life, they get to go on nice walks in different places? I have a friend who takes his dog everywhere with him, work, camping, the pub etc…, she loves it and has a great life. I feel sorry for dogs that go on the same local walks each day and only go in the car to go to the vets. Surely they associate the car with the vets or going to kennels if that’s the only reason they ever go in one?

Takacupokindnessyet · 29/07/2023 22:09

You are being a bit irrational. She probably only gives the dog reassurance because of your reaction to it, not the dogs.
While some dogs, like people, get car sick, don't really like cars, lots are perfectly fine with it, particularly when they get a nice walk.

Atethehalloweenchocs · 29/07/2023 22:14

Tonight I had to leave the car boot open for 20 minutes because the dog refused to get out of it when we got home. Some dogs like the car.

drinkuptheezider · 29/07/2023 22:16

Ziderdog goes in the car regularly. She loves it, and it means fun! She has also gone on boats, ferries, trains, and even a stationary plane! She goes to museums, gardens, houses, and castles with us. Thinking about it, it's only a bus she hasn't been in. She is exposed to lots of situations and environments. She is intelligent, inquisitive, and confident.

RedRobyn2021 · 29/07/2023 22:20

My dog doesn't mind the car, I guess it might be unfair if her dog hated being in the car but otherwise it's no big deal

BanditsOnTheHorizon · 29/07/2023 22:21

I think it's great she takes the dog different places each day, it's good for mental stimulation and dogs, like humans, get bored doing the same thing every day.

As for the car. It's not an issue, my dog loves the car and if they are used to it and have done it regularly it's not a problem for them

Twilight7777 · 29/07/2023 22:25

I have to take my dog in the car because she can only walk short distances and I have mobility issues which means I can’t walk far so we always go to the local park 3 minutes away.

SheilaWilde · 29/07/2023 22:30

My dog would rather come out with me in the car than stay at home. Today he's been to B&Q, Decathlon, John Lewis, Wilko, a garden centre, a charity shop and a cafe. He's also had his two 'normal' walks. He's had lots of new smells, dog treats in most of the shops and loads of sensory stimulation. He's completely knocked out. I take him nearly everywhere, apart from work and he loves it.

I think you've maybe got stuck in a train if thought where car + dog = bad. I don't think 9 is too old to start to enjoy car trips but only you know your dog. You could start with short journeys to somewhere? Sniffing is great enrichment and 20 minutes of good smelling is equivalent to an hours walk.

Bayleaf25 · 29/07/2023 23:08

Each to their own but my dog loves a huge variety of walks in the countryside and loves dashing around fields, woods, hills and clearly thrives on the various locations. We often drive 20 minutes and then walk for a couple of hours or so and she loves it.

So in some ways better than a 45 minute walk round the same old neighbourhood?

JonahAndTheSnail · 29/07/2023 23:42

OP - I don't think it's too late to get a 9 year old dog used to going in the car frequently. MIL recently passed away and her 8 year old GSD came to live with us. MIL had had the dog from a few weeks old and had been retired for all of the dog's life. She would travel in the car to go for walks for a few times a week, but not the extent we now have to do. It only really took a few weeks to for her to get used to traveling in the car for 20 minutes to work with us 6 days a week. Dogs quickly learn routines and as long as they aren't apart from their owners for long periods they're happy.

bobaloo · 30/07/2023 00:26

You are being ridiculous. Your dog stresses in the car because you only take it to "bad places." And even if her dog is a little nervous in the car, it's worth it for fun and running in the woods. Why would you criticize her for that?

autienotnaughti · 30/07/2023 06:58

The plus side is it will get use to the car. We only have one field area in walking distance so my dog would be very limited if that's all we ever did.

fruitbrewhaha · 30/07/2023 07:02

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, that is not true. I love in a semi rural area, everyone has dogs and all of them will travel in a car to do different walks.

ThePoetsWife · 30/07/2023 07:40

What an odd post!

My dogs love walking in new places - and that means going out in the car. I love it that I get to explore different places with them.

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