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The doghouse

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Original poster

Puppies in cars

15 replies

twojues · 18/06/2011 10:34

I took pup out in the car the other day. My son came too and had pup on his lap. He kept trying to climb up my son and whined.

What do you all do with your puppies when driving? Obviously, my son isn't always going to be around and I need to be able to take puppy out on my own. The other dogs were very good in the car and would just lie down in the boot. I have a Volvo XC90 so the boot is big

OP posts:
misschenko · 18/06/2011 11:43

I used a crate with sloping top which fitted in the boot. Pup used to go to sleep as soon as he got in. Stopped using the crate when he got too big for it at 6 months. Now 10 months he still sleeps the whole time he's in the car.

BitOfFun · 18/06/2011 11:46

You can get harnesses, pet carriers, crates, boot-dividers, all sorts! Definitely advisable, and better and safer than carrying a puppy on your lap or giving them full run of the car.

mellowbird · 18/06/2011 12:58

Spud goes in his crate in the boot (estate car),padded out with a big cushiony fleece insert,he's not spoilt much!

I feel it's far safer,he doesn't get thrown about when i go round corners or have to break suddenly and also it saves my car from getting covered in hair and when we return from a muddy walk the dirt is kept to a minimum.

clam · 18/06/2011 13:02

We've just been having this conversation, as ours only just fits into the puppy car crate we borrowed to bring him home.
Am wondering if the house crate, which he's not interested in, would fit in the boot (Honda CRV). Or attach a harness to a ring in the boot? Not keen on him on the back seat really. Saw the mess last winter when we dog-sat for my nephew's dog. Wintry walks, mud, snow, wriggly puppy and kids! Carnage.

Original poster
twojues · 18/06/2011 13:09

My thoughts exactly Clam.

We put him in the boot to pop to the pet shop and to give him a bit of socialisation. I carried him as he's not old enough to walk yet.

He really hates his crate and won't go in it at home. I have attached the playpen round the open crate, but he sleeps in the playpen rather than the crate, so I don't really think he's going to like a crate in the boot, but the boots too big and he will be rolled around and I also want to stop him being able to jump over the back seats.

OP posts:
Happymm · 18/06/2011 13:11

I have a Honda CRV. The boot is big enough to take a crate. We have a light weight crate(material version) as it's easier to lift in and out. We have a lab puppy, but the crate we bought will fit her when full grown.

Madsometimes · 18/06/2011 13:13

I have a Nissan Micra, and the boot is too small for a crate (well we couldn't find one that fits). We did find a generic cage thingumy which divides the boot from the car. So we have removed the parcel shelf and the dog goes in the boot. There is plenty of room because he is only 11 kg.

We thought that we would need to replace the car when we got a dog, but it was not needed. My set up would be fine for any medium dog, but maybe not a chewer.

Happymm · 18/06/2011 13:15

Two, we got it off amazon and just bought an extra large one, can't work out how to do a linky! TBH our pup howled the first few times we went out, but now she realises that it's the way it is so settles down really quickly.

minimu1 · 18/06/2011 13:30

If you have a large volvo and a puppy you have to put the puppy in a crate for its own safety.

Things in the boot can fly around and hit the puppy and if there was an accident the puppy could fly through the car and kill passengers. There are not really any alternatives he has to be crated or restrained!

You say he does not like his crate in the house? what have you done to make him like his crate? Do you feed him in his crate for every meal, do you leave treats for him to find if he goes into his crate - he has to be taught to like his crate. There are loads of crate games you can play with puppies to teach them to love their crates you tube has lots of them.

It is quite an advanced thought process for a puppy to think "I am tired I must go over to my crate to sleep" they tend to just crash where they are (this does not mean they do not like their crates - so I would carefully lift him into his crate when he falls asleep outside of it - leave the door open and let him sleep in comfort.

Original poster
twojues · 18/06/2011 13:39

Minimu - I was just wondering if people tended to go for the fabric crates or metal. He is going to have to get used to it as I will not put his safety at risk. You're right, the volvo boot is far too big for him to be in it loose.

I have tried everything to get him in his crate. As I said I have attached a playpen round the crate so I can keep him contained. I try feeding him in his crate every day. He is sleeping really well at night now in the playpen. The door of the crate is kept open so he can go in it, but he tends to sleep right up against the pen as close as he can to our other dog's bed.

When he falls asleep anywhere else, I always carry him into the pen and settle him down again. This way I know he is safe.

I intend to keep persevering with the crate and hopefully he will get used to the one in the house. Perhaps when he is in the one in the car he will realise they're not so bad.

OP posts:
minimu1 · 18/06/2011 13:46

Metal every time ( Ihate fabric crates with a passion- they are not protective enough at all)

You say you try feeding him in his crate - what happens?

Also if he whimpers, or cries in the crate when you are driving you know he is safe and you can concentrate on driving and not worrying about puppies in the car to distract you.

He may whine and whimper to start with so very short journeys with something really fun at the end of it - he will soon learn to love his crate and the car.

My favourite mantra and I say it daily - if you want to train a dog quickly go slowly! it all takes time but if you are consistent and use positive training methods it will happen in no time.

Original poster
twojues · 18/06/2011 13:56

He won't eat his dinner. He will sit and cry and bark, even if he's really hungry!!

I will persevere. I have got him sleeping in the pen which he wouldn't do at first. The first 4 nights were awful, until I put Bailey's bed near the pen. Perhaps I will try moving Bailey's bed near the crate.

We are starting puppy classes at the beginning of July which we will need to drive to, so he is going to have to get used to it. As soon as he can go out we will drive to the park for a walk. It's not very far, but too far for him to walk there and back.

OP posts:
clam · 18/06/2011 14:34

It's not that he doesn't like the crate as such. It's just not his place of choice. We do feed him in there often and he wanders in and out from time to time.
I will make a more concerted effort with it, but to be honest, I've been more concerned with getting him to go through the night and stop pooing and weeing in the house. Oh, and work, and kids' exams, and writing reports, and and drama rehearsals for kids and...... real life really.

minimu1 · 18/06/2011 14:35

don't lock him in the crate when he is eating just put the food down and let him eat in the crate - if he doesn't after 15 mins pick up the food and try at next meal.

clam · 19/06/2011 21:07

I think I've sorted the car issue. I went and bought a safety car harness today (Pets at Home, £14.99) and, once I'd worked out how to put the damn thing on, took him out using it. It attaches to the seat belt and keeps them from hurtling around the car. He just lay down on the seat like the little angel he is Hmm and dozed.
Will have to get some sort of cover for the seat in due course - the car's fairly new and I don't want it wrecked with mud and scratchy paws.

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