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

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

The doghouse

Bringing puppy home in car

39 replies

qgirl · 27/10/2019 08:21

We are bringing home a puppy in 2 weeks, and he will be 10 weeks old. Super excited but the breeder is half an hour away by car and I am trying to work out the safest way to bring him home in the car. There are so many different car seat/harness things - I really don't know which is best. I think I would like something to see him through from puppy to adult - is that possible? He's a gorgeous goldendoodle.

Thank you

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missbattenburg · 27/10/2019 16:21

He would be crushed in the footwell, but he won't kill anyone else. Most harnesses used on back seats are dangerous as they are not designed to withstand the energy of impact.

If using a harness then look one that is. The videos of those that are not are truly terrifying.

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missbattenburg · 27/10/2019 16:22

Actually - I'm not sure he would be crushed. The crumple zone of a car cannot include the bit where humans put their feet, surely?

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missbattenburg · 27/10/2019 16:22

off to Google crumple zones...

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missbattenburg · 27/10/2019 16:25

So for those interested, the bumper and boot crumple and crush, the footwell does not.

Unless your impact is massive enough to over power the safety cage that makes up the passenger safety cell. Then everyone in the car is in real trouble.

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Celebelly · 27/10/2019 16:26

For his first journey I wouldn't shove him in the boot. Poor thing would be terrified. While I agree that it's not safe in general to have a dog unsecured, I think for his first short journey home I would weigh up the risks and put him in a washing basket or similar to go on back seat. DDog travels in a crash-tested crate now but for her first journey home she was on my lap. You could try a very soft harness attached to a seatbelt, but those only fulfil the unrestrained portion of car safety, it wouldn't be safe. Proper crash-tested harnesses are few and far between and expensive.

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adaline · 27/10/2019 16:27

Actually - I'm not sure he would be crushed. The crumple zone of a car cannot include the bit where humans put their feet, surely?

I was more meaning if the passenger got flung forward they would slam their feet down to lessen the impact and possibly crush the puppy. If they're not restrained they could easily be flung around down there as well, especially if the car rolls or is crashed into from the side.

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missbattenburg · 27/10/2019 16:29

ah, makes sense.

I think, as with all things, all any of us can do is weigh the risks and make the best choice we can live with...

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Celebelly · 27/10/2019 16:29

Once you start going down the rabbit hole and realise how unsafe for the dog most options are, you'll end up spending a fortune (our crate was £400+!) so be warned. A £15 seatbelt tether harness doesn't cut it.

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qgirl · 27/10/2019 19:52

Thanks all. Will weigh up the pros and cons over the next week. Thanks for all the advice - really helpful.

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MaryLennoxsScowl · 28/10/2019 08:07

My puppy came home on my lap in the passenger seat, I had a cardboard box at my feet in the footwell lined with bin bags and an old towel in case he threw up, but he was completely fine and just cuddled up on my lap and then fell asleep. We had a 2-hour journey home as there was bad traffic. He would have been terrified in the boot on his own. I’d not only rope in another adult, I’d ask them to drive as it’s your smell on the old t-shirt he’s been used to, not theirs. I nearly couldn’t take DH as he was having trouble getting the day off work and I had a long string of adults offering to come with me - everyone wants to see a tiny puppy!

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MaryLennoxsScowl · 28/10/2019 08:10

If you have your feet on the floor already on either side of puppy, why would you lift them up in event of crash to stamp on the puppy? You’re not travelling along hovering your feet in the air!

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LochJessMonster · 28/10/2019 10:54

Surely a crate on the back seat would be the better option?
Then your son can reassure him but the dog is secured away?

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tabulahrasa · 28/10/2019 11:15

“If you have your feet on the floor already on either side of puppy, why would you lift them up in event of crash to stamp on the puppy?”

Um... you don’t stay in the same position during a crash... you’re thrown about, even with a seat belt on.

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stucknoue · 28/10/2019 11:25

I had mine on my lap (I wasn't driving) then borrowed a cat carrier for the initial vets visits. He travels in the boot now, tried harnessing but he twists it to the point he's unsafe