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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Baby and dog car solutions

28 replies

bloatedorpregnant · 17/12/2021 20:28

I’m a FTM and baby is due in 6 weeks. We have a 33kg dog who usually travels in the backseat, restrained by a dog seatbelt. We’re trying to find solutions for the best way for baby and dog to travel in the car.

We always planned to have the dog in the boot but he’s a really anxious dog and our attempts to get him in the boot so far have not gone well. We’re going to persevere though in case we have a breakthrough!

But just in case that’s not successful, I was wondering if anyone knew of anything we could have in the back with the baby and the dog that would create a barrier between them?

OP posts:

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ShirleyPhallus · 17/12/2021 20:31

We have a soft harness thing for the dog, which loops around the front seats and then loops up to the hook above the window on the baby’s side, creating a barrier between them

ShirleyPhallus · 17/12/2021 20:33

www.amazon.co.uk/Kurgo-Heather-Hammock-Style-Cover/dp/B01MU7O40P/ref=asc_df_B01MU7O40P/?hvlocphy=1007135&hvlocphy=1007135&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&hvptwo&psc=1&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvnetw=g&hvadid=375510268700&hvadid=375510268700&hvpone&hvpone&hvlocint&hvlocint&ref&th=1&hvpos&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-572046984182&hvtargid=pla-572046984182&hvrand=14875288512978767840&hvrand=14875288512978767840&adgrpid=80519478641

Original poster

bloatedorpregnant · 17/12/2021 20:35

@ShirleyPhallus oh amazing, thank you! He tends to just lie down once he’s in the car anyway so something like this would be perfect!

OP posts:

GinnyBee · 17/12/2021 20:41

OMG I have this same problem coming up! My dog isn't as big as yours, but like yours he's not good in cars and getting him to travel in the boot did not work for us at all, so he's on the back seat now with a seatbelt. When we first got him he was in a travel crate in the boot but just did not like it one bit, to the point that eventually he refused to get anywhere near the car at all! I spent two weeks just walking him past the car and showering him in praise and treats every time I took him out for a walk until I could get him to get close enough to take a treat off the rear bumper, and then another week of just getting him to jump into the back seat without driving anywhere. I'm really nervous about trying to put him back in the boot!

Our car is tiny though, and I've heard that sometimes dogs who first hate cars get on a lot better in a bigger car, so we're going to swap for a bigger car as we need one anyway, and hope that helps. Then there would be more space in the boot too.

I wonder if there are dividers like you can get for the boot but for the back seat? Those properly installed metal ones you can get specifically for dogs.

MSJK · 17/12/2021 21:00

We have a similar problem! Our dog is fine in the boot but we don’t know what we will do with the pram once baby comes. Any ideas would be great! Boot isn’t really big enough for the dog and a buggy and the dog definitely wouldn’t like it

Original poster

bloatedorpregnant · 17/12/2021 21:06

@GinnyBee it’s reassuring that my dog isn’t the only one! We managed to get him in the boot but he wouldn’t relax or take treats so we didn’t even attempt to shut it. It’s so weird because when he goes out with his dog Walker he’s in a crate in a van with no windows and he seems to get in fine.

Yeah that’s what I was hoping we could find. But my googling hasn’t been successful yet!

I hope the bigger car works for you! We’ve debated upgrading to a seven seater so he can have his own row of seats and baby can have their own which seems ridiculous!

OP posts:

Original poster

bloatedorpregnant · 17/12/2021 21:08

@MSJK baby and dog logistics are tough!!! We’ve bought a baby carrier that I’m hoping baby will take to so that we don’t have to take the pram out on long walks. If not we’ve went for a travel system with a car seat that can lay flat out of the car so thought and the chassis would be less of an issue. Fingers crossed anyway!

OP posts:

Crazykatie · 17/12/2021 21:36

This is one reason that a baby and a dog is not a good idea, I had 4 kids and all the clutter, the dog stayed at home because the car was full. You do NOT have to treat your dog as equal to your children

nannybeach · 17/12/2021 21:39

It is law that a dog had to be restrained in a car, either seat belt harness or crated

Original poster

bloatedorpregnant · 17/12/2021 21:55

@nannybeach I’m confused. My dog is always restrained in the car so not sure why you’re saying that.

@Crazykatie who’s saying anything about treating them as equal??? I want to have the option to take my baby and my dog out at the same time. Unless you have useful advice to offer I’m not sure why you’re commenting.

OP posts:

Sprig1 · 17/12/2021 22:01

The dog on the back seat with the baby is a v bad idea. It could be lethal in an accident the dog needs to be in the boot with either a properly secured dog guard or jn a crate. Maybe ask for professional help to train him.

Original poster

bloatedorpregnant · 17/12/2021 22:02

Thanks @Sprig1 a professional trainer might be the best way to go

OP posts:

Lou573 · 17/12/2021 22:04

Buggy recommendation - the outnabout nipper.
Great for off-road dog walks and folds up small enough to slot in front of the back seats in our car. It reclines fully so pretty sure it’s ok from tiny.

GuckGuckDoose · 17/12/2021 22:07

Buggy in the back seat of a car is also a missile and potentially lethal in an accident…. Good rule to live by us that if you wouldn’t throw it at your own face, don’t put it in the back of the car with a baby..,

Liervik · 17/12/2021 22:08

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

NuffSaidSam · 17/12/2021 22:09

Can you not put the dog in the front and then the passenger sit in the back with the baby?

Dipsydoodlenoodle · 17/12/2021 22:14

My cocker has always been on the back seat (tethered) and I just put the car seat next to him. I wouldn't want him in the boot as I'd be too worried about being rear ended.

Original poster

bloatedorpregnant · 17/12/2021 22:19

Dog is far too big for the front unfortunately. Someone suggested having the baby in the front with the passenger airbag turned off but I’m not keen on that either.

@GuckGuckDoose that’s a good rule to go by!

OP posts:

Sunshinegirl82 · 17/12/2021 23:06

What car do you have OP? Sometimes the manufacturer will have an "extra" you can get which might help?

Sunshinegirl82 · 17/12/2021 23:10

www.knuffelwuff.co.uk/Knuffelwuff-Cargo-Dog-Transport-Box-for-your-Car-Safety-for-your-Dog-and-Protection-for-the-Back-Seats-Size-2-60-x-78-x-50cm-Black

ShirleyPhallus · 18/12/2021 07:39

@Sprig1

I’m not sure if people are thinking that the sling I’ve linked up thread somehow doesn’t secure the dog, but you restrain it with a belt buckle secured to the harness

No need to go in the boot, back seat is absolutely fine properly secured

A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 · 18/12/2021 08:41

We have a dog booster seat he is restrained in in the back seat (but he is smaller than your dog). We also looked at these, but didn't buy as he likes his booster seat www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php?WRSPTL It folds up flat when not in use.

We have a Yoyo buggy as it folds up so small, and a baby carrier for walks over rougher terrain. Also we are planning a six week trip with dog and baby, so are looking at getting a roof rack for the travel cot and all the extra stuff we might need 🙈 but needs must

nannybeach · 18/12/2021 08:47

Bloated,my comment wasn't directed at you,no offense was intended. A lot of the Doggy slings are attached to the vehicle but the dog is just laying unrestrained in there.

HalloHello · 18/12/2021 08:57

My parents have their dog on a crate on the bag seat of the car? Not sure if that would be an option?

A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 · 18/12/2021 09:47

@Crazykatie our dog is part of our family, I think that's the way it should be. He comes on holidays with us in the U.K. and Europe, to my parents etc, on days out.

I've never tried these because our dog is fine harnessed to his booster seat on the back seat of the car, but would these be an option https://www.travall.co.uk/index.php?main page=producttinfo&cPath=991 5346&productssid=20471&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3oWZ-Ift9AIVqoFQBh3aMQ0eEAQYBSABEgIyuPD_BwE

As it's more open than a crate and leaves a good portion of the boot free

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