Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Flip

Original poster

Leaving a dog in the car in the cold

20 replies

pawsnclaws · 15/12/2010 19:26

Can I ask a possibly silly question? We've had our new dog 5 year old greyhound for a month - he's lovely, very good-natured if shy (but improving by the day - we had our first proper tail wag this week!)

Tomorrow I need to drop the dcs at school at 830, go for a walk for half an hour with the dog then get my food shopping (will take an hour tops). Then pick up dcs at 1130. I haven't enough time to get home and drop him off before I go shopping (the supermarket is 12 miles from home but nearer school) and don't want to leave him home alone for 4 hours (8 to 12).

Would he be safe in the car for the hour I go shopping in a supermarket car park? I'd never leave him if it was anywhere near warm weather, but in this cold would it be cruel? I don't think he'd be distressed he's quite happy curled up in the boot, but I've never left him for more than 10 minutes before.

OP posts:

LotteryWinnersOnAcid · 15/12/2010 20:04

I wouldn't personally, but not because of the cold; I am paranoid about the risk of theft. If it's the cold you're worried about and he has bedding, then no, it isn't cruel, but an hour is long enough for him to get spooked by something outside and as he is a new dog I would worry that it might set back his progress. But that's just me.

bluecardi · 15/12/2010 20:09

would bypass the supermarket & do a quick shop somewhere local. If you need lots of thgings could you do an internet shop?

Original poster

pawsnclaws · 15/12/2010 20:20

bluecardi, we're a bit desperate for provisions, I've managed to pop into our local Co-op every day but with the whole family being ill for the last week we're very low on stuff. I've got a big internet delivery coming Tuesday but it's all Christmas stuff.

Lottery I'm not worried about theft our poor boy languished in kennels for ages waiting to be rehomed, but yes my main worry is the cold and the fact that he's shy. Although I think in some respects he prefers just to be left alone, I'm worried that revving engines and slamming doors might not be ideal for now.

Thank you both, I think we may have to manage for now on what we have, my gut instinct is that I don't want to leave him. Luckily no-one has much of an appetite but if we can get to Saturday DH can make it the shops alone.

OP posts:

Mutt · 15/12/2010 20:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TCOB · 15/12/2010 20:28

I leave mine for this sort of length of time - he's a greyhound too and it is far less distressing for him to be with me in the car (which he LOVES) than left at home. I bought him some lovely thick plaid jackets from www.grwe.com which are perfect for this time of year.

But these dogs do get nicked so park somewhere in full view of passers-by.

And well done for taking on one of thes gorgeous, loving, daft-as-a-brush dogs; I wish you many happy years together!

stleger · 15/12/2010 20:55

Our dog ( a bit whippet, a bit shetland, a bit daft) would be happy in the car. But he managed to escape yesterday in a quiet carpark when we were putting the tree in the boot , so be careful at that point!

Original poster

pawsnclaws · 15/12/2010 20:59

Thanks Mutt and TCOB, I think though I'll give him a bit longer before I do this. The rescue centre said greyhounds love cars because they're so used to jumping into vans to go to races. But he is shy, and we're trying so hard to make him a happy, settled boy I don't want to jeopardise that.

Progress slow so far but I think once we've earned his trust he'll be the best boy ever. We're already besotted. DH' has just forced him away from the radiator for a walk, he's fine once he gets out (we got him a lovely waxed fleece lined coat) but he's a lazy pooch that's for sure!

OP posts:

Original poster

pawsnclaws · 15/12/2010 21:04

Sorry Stegler slow typing on my phone... Yes our dog is a Houdini too. Let's just say I quickly realised that I had no hope of catching a greyhound quite comfortably trotting away from me at about 20 mph ....

OP posts:

hmc · 15/12/2010 21:08

Hmm - not sure, I would leave my dog in these circumstances but then she is a plumptious hairy Bernese Mountain Dog - greyhounds however really feel the cold don't they? If leaving him then make sure you provide plenty of blankets ...and don't laugh, but if he can be relied upon not to chew, perhaps a hot water bottle (secreted under a blanket to make it inaccessible)

Original poster

pawsnclaws · 15/12/2010 21:15

Hmc how do you find your bmd? It's always been DH's dream dog but we couldn't justify the expense and time commitment needed for training a puppy. Just interested, we don't know anyone that has one.

DH' has just ordered the dog an indoor fleece coat, talk about spoilt .....

OP posts:

Scuttlebutter · 15/12/2010 22:47

Pawsnclaws, our three greys are all snuggled up for the night in their indoor coats (their "PJs")- this goes with the territory. You will be a coat/collar addict before you know it.

I often pop in to the shop on the way back from walking our three in the morning - usually for five minutes for things like a paper, milk, fresh stuff etc. They are fine, as like most greys they travel brilliantly and we have dog beds in the boot to ensure maximum comfort. Quite often I come back and find they have all fallen asleep . I wouldn't leave them for any longer than that as like others I would be worried about theft - I actually popped out without them this evening to do a quick smash and grab as we've got heavy snow forecast for the end of the week, and it'll be chaos tomorrow probably. Like most besotted grey owners, my first priority was ensuring they had their regular supply of fresh liver and some chicken for them too.

Original poster

pawsnclaws · 15/12/2010 23:02

I think we are well on our way Scuttlebutter - DH treats him like a fourth baby. The indoor coat should be here by Friday, although I'm not sure we'll be able to pride the dog away from the radiator to get it on him!

Haven't tried liver but we've discovered he's very partial to tuna!

OP posts:

Original poster

pawsnclaws · 15/12/2010 23:11

Doh! Prise not pride - stupid phone.

OP posts:

stleger · 15/12/2010 23:26

We were supposed to be getting a greyhound - we made the mistake of taking dd2 to the rescue centre. She decided that they were too thin so we got the whippety boy, who looks like a teddy crossed with a kangaroo - but runs super fast. He has a few mates who chase him, but nobody can catch him. I mention greyhounds to dh every so often, we'll get one some day! When I worked in Cambridge, i had a customer with Bernese Mountain dogs, they were lovely.

Scuttlebutter · 16/12/2010 00:33

St Leger - LOL at "a teddy crossed with a kangaroo" - what a fab combination

Paws - sounds like your grey is settling in brilliantly. Importantly, they actually train you, not the other way around. Soon, a dog who waves an imperious paw when it's time for a tickle, has very specific and high end food preferences, a wardrobe full of assorted coats, fleeces, snoods and collars, dog beds with master ensuite upstairs will seem entirely normal and reasonable. One day when you are on the sofa and realise you can't move for bony long legged snoring creatures, you will realise the indoctrination is complete!

mamatomany · 16/12/2010 00:37

What if he poo's or wee's in the car ? That would be my biggest concern.

Original poster

pawsnclaws · 16/12/2010 08:08

Not too worried about that mamatomany, the rescue centre told us he's kennel trained but not necessarily housetrained because he'd never lived in a home. In fact he's completely clean so long as he gets regular walks and toilet breaks. Another advantage of getting an adult dog!

OP posts:

GrimmaTheNome · 16/12/2010 08:31

I leave my dachs in the car when I'm in the supermarket or sometimes if we're combining a visit to an RSPB reserve where he's not allowed with a walk. He much prefers being in the car with us to being left at home - I think a lot of dogs see the car as an extension of their territory so are quite happy.

Last time it was about -5 outside so we left him in his travel cage wearing a coat with a rug over him and a big blanket over the top of the cage - he was quite toasty when we got back!

hmc · 16/12/2010 10:41

Hi paws - from memory we found our BMD by first contacting the Breed Association for Bernese Mountain Dogs. They told us a show was due to take place about an hour and a half drive away from us - so we went along and there were tonnes of breeders in one place.

We asked around at the show if anyone was breeding pups soon and got some fairly sniffy responses (yes - but only to people we know) and some sceptical looks because we had small children in tow.

We found someone who agreed to 'interview' us as a whole family (I kid you not) - and finally were given a pup!

Original poster

pawsnclaws · 16/12/2010 10:54

Thanks all for your responses. Funny enough the situation resolved itself, dh and ds3 were still too I'll to leave the house so they are tucked up with the dog at home while I've managed the supermarket shop on my own. Really appreciate hearing about all your lovely dogs too.

OP posts:

Flip