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The doghouse

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

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Original poster

Dogs in the car

16 replies

nappybrain · 06/04/2012 17:50

Hi we are close to hopefully taking the step to getting our first dog probably a terrier. What is best way of transporting dogs in the car sorry if a dumb question but this is all new to me! Do you have a carrier? Dh and I both have hatchbacks.....also what are the must buy items for a new pup?

OP posts:

IAmBooyhoo · 06/04/2012 17:59

for transporting i would recommend a dog crate for the boot of the car. you can get ones that have a sloped side so that the boot door closes properly. it is a really useful thing to crate train your dog incase it ever needs to stay over at the vets or in kennels or even just to keep him contained while you clear broken glass from the vase that he knocked over off the floor. other things you could do is have a seatbelt harness. if you are thinking of a terrier it woul be more practical than for say a great dane . it is a harness that fixes to the car seatbelt and goes round the dog. i have never used one though so not sure how safe or easy to use they are.

must buy items: lots of chew toys (especially if getting a pup)
collar and lead
a million dog clickers
a crate for the house is a must for me
a good supply of blankets for bedding
poo bags
flea and worm treatments (can get at the vets)
feeding dishes
balls
a local dog training class or a good book on positive dog training

my mind has blanked but i'm sure tehre is loads i have missed out.

Original poster

nappybrain · 06/04/2012 18:53

Thx that is really helpful sounds like might need crate and a carrier then...is there any recommended reading re the clickers for training?

OP posts:

IAmBooyhoo · 06/04/2012 19:33

em, i followed pamela dennsion's positive dog training methods. there are actually some dog trainers on MN so you could ask about her and see if they can recommend something for you.

Flatbread · 06/04/2012 19:59

Nappy, we just put our pup in the bottom of my passenger footwell, comfortably ensconced between my feet. When she grew up, she graduated to the back of our hatchback. We haven't bought anything to keep her in, just taught her to stay in and only jump out on command.

The only toy I would highly recommend is the kong, especially the ball version. All the rest can wait till you get to know your pup better and what they like to play with. Mine was happy with sticks, cardboard boxes and and an old stuffed toy that was lying around.

I know it is the done thing to go to trainers. I would suggest that you hold off till your pup is much older. Spend the time just interacting with your dog, building closeness and using your instincts to bond with the dog. Maybe you will find that you don't need a trainer, if you and your dog are doing well.

And the crate idea is a good one, if your pup takes to it. I have found zoo plus a good source for well priced doggie items.

Flatbread · 06/04/2012 20:00

Forgot to say, congratulations, you must be so excited

IAmBooyhoo · 06/04/2012 20:04

i didn't use a trainer either (just suggested as a possibility). it isn't hard at all to train your dog yourself without thehelp of a trainer.

CatPussWithACrownOfThorns · 06/04/2012 20:47

A hard hat! For when you post in the Doghouse!

Scuttlebutter · 06/04/2012 23:11

Nappy, no matter how well trained your dog, in the event of an accident, they can be hurt and can hurt others if they are unsecured. A crate in the boot is probably best and safest. However, if you prefer the harness/seatbelt option I know a few people who have these and are very happy with them. A friend was driving her VW Golf and had her greyhound clipped into one of these and was involved in an accident on the motorway - said it was a lifesaver. It also means that if the car windows or doors are opened/broken during an accident, the dog is secure and cannot run off/jump out and then get lost/be run over.

Original poster

nappybrain · 07/04/2012 08:29

This is all so useful thank u everyone. Scuttle they are really sensible points u make that I had not considered at all but now will...It all seems a bit like having your first baby.......the what to buys will hopefully keep me in check with not buying too many things that are used once.....!

OP posts:

suburbandream · 07/04/2012 08:58

I second a crate too - I have got most of my supplies from PetPlanet, they are very reasonable and do quick delivery. I have a fabric "crate" for the car, it has metal poles and fabric/mesh on the sides, and opens on the top and sides which is good because it only just fits in the boot so I have to lift him in the top bit. Both the car crate and the crate he sleeps in are collapsable so easy to store or take away. My other must-have is the Perfect Puppy book by Gwen Bailey. Ian Dunbar's books are good too. Lots of chew toys, definitely although mine loves kitchen roll tubes (we have been getting through lots of kitchen roll with toilet training so he has a never-ending supply at the moment )

PurpleFrog · 07/04/2012 18:06

The Highway Code says:

57
When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.

MessyTerrier · 07/04/2012 20:18

YY to The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey. It's not only an extremely useful guide (and lots of methods work for older dogs too!) but it features some unbearably cute puppies.

higgle · 07/04/2012 23:03

I have used a doggie harness/seatbelt with my last two dogs. Present dog is very cooperative with it but the problem with our old dog was that he got very over excited ifhe was going out in the car and it took forever to get it on him.

PlumpDogPillionaire · 11/04/2012 17:51

Clix Safety Harness = very good indeed (much better than RAC safety harnesses, which are just silly), if your dog's going to travel on back seats of the car. Also takes up less space and time than a crate.
Crates are all very good, but really, really, give the Clix a go. (Sorry, no link, but see on Amazon.)

CakeMeIAmYours · 12/04/2012 14:13

Dog harness was a godsend when ours was a tiny pup - kept him safe in the car and when you get out, you can just attach the lead to the harness which (I think) helped to train him not to pull.

Also a crate - we had housetraining licked in no time at all.

Good Luck!

feesh · 13/04/2012 18:48

Crates can be crushed and do damage to the dog in the event of an accident, especially a rear-shunt. For this reason, I much prefer the safety of the back seat with a Clix harness.

Boots of cars are designed to fold in accidents to absorb the impact, whereas the back seats are protected by a reinforced 'cage'. I hate seeing dogs in boots of cars.

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