Pet Tube or back seat divider? Any experience?

[Rootatoot]

Hi

Just found the 'doghouse' section. Fab!

I joined MN a couple months back as I'm pg with my first baby due in August. We have a border terrier and a ford fiesta, and I'm going through the scenarios of how to fit baby, dog, pushchair in my small car! New car not an option.

I had thought could put pushchair behind seat securely, and dog in boot but have been told this is not safe because of side impact in a collision. Makes sense.

So now thinking need a way of sharing back seat between baby and dog. We have a harness which is ok for 5 minute journey but he tends to just get tangled up so it won't work.

Two best options I've seen online are a Kurgo back seat divider, which stops dogs jumping into front seats but also has a divider between dog and rear seat passenger OR a pet tube, which would clip in. Not sure my little dog would take to either to be honest but wondered if anyone had any experience of either of these options? Or has another suggestion?

Thanks all :)

Personally I'd invest in a good sling. Much easier when walking the dog as there are no wheels for the dog to get tangled up in. They are also really convenient for discreet breastfeeding when out (assuming you are planning to bf) and allow you much more freedom than a buggy.

Could you not get a crate for the boot and then put the pushchair in there as well? She wouldn't need a big crate obviously, but you'd have to restrain yourself with the choice of pushchair! She could be trained to love a crate if you start now. In our household, the dog goes in the car however she fits, along with the pushchair. I do sometimes have in the back- had never thought of it being an issue .

I do like the ways that threads can go off on tangents, but I have to say I have just sprayed my coffee at the abrupt tangent taken in the second post. Lol UnseenAcademicMum

Where does the dog currently sit, Rootatoot?

Hi there - thanks for the replies.

Yes definately going to get a sling but will still need pushchair I think. I guess I'll see how sling works out & if baby takes to it (& me for that matter).

Ellangirl - We have a ford fiesta so boot not big enough for a dog crate. We have two, a metal one and a soft one. Correct sizes for little dog but still not big enough boot to fit either of them when they are erect. It will only fit the pushchair.

I don't think it's safe to have him 'loose' in the back seat, baby or no baby. He's not good in the harness either as he just gets himself in a tangle with the seatbelts. Wasn't a problem in old car with different seatbelts but this one, it doesn't work very well.

At the moment, I just have the dog in the boot loose.

How about a car harness?

I have these ones for my Doodle and Staffy. It uses the seatbelt to keep them restrained on the seats.

Hi PersonalClown - as I say, we have a harness but it only seems to work for a short 5 min journey before he ends up twisting himself up in the seatbelt and I have to pull over and release him. I think it's our seatbelts in our car possibly. Worked ok in our old car. Maybe I'll just have to give that another go and see if I can restrain him enough so he can't get tangled, though I feel he should be able to lie down if he wants to.

I meant I have the pushchair in the back seat- try to shove it down in the footwell. Sometimes i put the pushchair in the boot with the dog, but then i have a zafira. I hadn't appreciated how compact the boot of a fiesta was .

There is a product you can buy for back seats - I got mine from Lidl for £4.99 but I spotted one in B&M Bargains for £3.99 the other week - and it is the best thing EVER! 1, it is waterproof, but has a cloth type top to stop them slipping about and 2, it stops mine falling in the foot well . Whilst they can cover the whole of the back seat you can fold them in 2 to do half and they have purpose made vents to allow you to fasten the seatbelt behind it and attach a harness through the hole - hey presto - no tangled dog as there is nothing to get tangled with! You do need headrests on the back seats though...

, I was thinking that if the OP did away with the buggy there wouldn't be an issue with trying to fit everyone in. Dog goes in the boot, baby on back seat, sling can fit into whichever small corner you wish. It seemed easier to me than trying to squeeze a buggy into a restricted space.

I know - it just made me laugh.... a lot!!!

motherjack - what is it called? and what is B & M bargains? i have a lidl near me so will look in there

OP - when just you, baby and dog in car could dog sit on front passenger sit with harness? at least you wouldnt have to pull over to untangle.

unseen - made me smile too

I do love B&M...

does this link work, chick?? Its the pet seat car cover if so, (and they have gone up £1) but I don't know how they have managed to make it look like a rounded bottomed hammock - it's more like a square section in my estate car IYKWIM. I can pop to B&M bargains tomorrow and see if they still have one for £3.99 if you are interested as I am heading in that general direction.

B&M is great. You end up coming out with all manner of random fabulousness at next to nothing.. most of which you never knew you needed! [tangent] [UnseenAcademicalMumNudge]

yes link works. thanks. if its not out of your way yes please do check if they still have them

Will do! Normally out of my way, but not tomorrow

Humpf!

Thanks! We have a B&M in my town & Lidl not too far away. Have only ventured in b&m once or twice but it is an alladins cave of mental stuff. I will take a peek when I get chance. The link was useful and for a fiver or less, it would be worth a go!

UnseenAcademicalMum...I do take your suggestion about the sling. Going to give it a go, but want to cover all bases in case that doesn't work out :)

Thank you all for suggestions. I love MN. So helpful for dippy first time mums to be like me!