Taking lab puppy in car

[coolmum123]

Hi all,
Hope you all are well.
We have an 11 week old lab puppy (estimated to be 30kg fully grown). So far when we have had to take her in the car both myself and hubby have been in the car with myself driving and him keeping an eye on her. But this is not practical going forward. We would prefer to have her in the boot. We have a Volvo XC40 so a spacious boot but not huge. Do you suggest a fabric crate or a metal one? Also if you have links to what you use I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance

Sorry just to add on to my opening post :
Do we get one for puppy size or full grown? The trainer we have has recommended one that is about £600 which is a bit steep as we need to also be able to use the boot when she isn't in there. For shopping and stuff.
Thanks

We’ve just been down this decision making route.., we have a 16 week old lab/collie cross.

He started in a small fabric crate on the back seat... the one we brought him home in - nice and small so he felt secure and comforted and he’s been fine so far. But, as they do, he’s grown... properly grown... and so began the debate r.e. The boot... crate vs. Dog barrier.

I really didn’t want to lose the use of my boot... I have a hatch back and I bought this particular one as it has a huge boot. However, I eventually settled on a crate so he wouldn’t chew my car!.. and a metal one not a fabric one so he couldn’t chew the crate! I ordered it to suit the adult dog size wise.

It arrived today, we’ve had one very short trip to the dog park so far.... he fits comfortably and seems happy to be able to see out the windows.

The crate was about £115 on Amazon but with discount codes etc from the companies website I got it for £89.

I would always go for a crash tested crate (I think your trainer has too by the price)

If not crash tested then metal and not fabric. A fabric crate in an impact could fly through the car and hurt/kill passengers. A metal crate can be attached in the boot and should not move if there is a crash.

You could also consider a seat beltharness (there are only a few that have been safety checked) that attaches to the travel points in the boot. Disadvantage of this is the mud dirt and hair will be all over the boot. A crate does help to contain this a bit.

We got the Kong back seat cover and attach the seat belt attachment to his harness. He happily sits on the back seat.

(He's not a lab I should say - but we also didn't use a crate and we really need our boot so it worked fine having him on the back seat)

Thanks all, she has to go on the boot as we only got the car in March so not keen to have the seats all lucky especially with autumn and winter seasons. @PuppyFeet would you kind sharing a link to the crate you have bought please? Thanks 😊

My dogs go in the boot with a hatch bag liner and a dog guard. In my new car which has a huge boot, I have a boot divider like this so the dogs have half and I have half for shopping etc

petworldcages.com/

One of the hatch back ones from here... we’ve also strapped the crate to the back seat even though it’s pretty fitted in the boot. We have also bought an additional thick waterproof mat to go in the base... our puppy loves mud/water etc and ends up becoming swamp dog after a walk!

I would add that this is not a quick slip in and slip out crate... I’m now resigned to the fact I won’t have a boot!

We've got a dog guard for our hatchback. Then put a cheap dog bed in for her. Our lab is a year now and has enjoyed travelling in the boot since she was just 10 weeks old.
Yes we have lost the boot but we use the back seats for any luggage.

I'd go crash tested crate, the last thing you want in the event of an accident is your dog catapulting through a fabric or metal mesh crate.

We have a metal cage in two of the cars it takes up half of the boot. Paid £10 each from Facebook, the dog is fine she just sleeps, the breeder used to take her out for a ride in one as soon as she could as safety wise its the only way to transport a dog.
Its great when she is covered in mud too.

When we had a dog, it was crated in the back of the van. We own a cabin crew van which allows loads of boot space for a large breed dog.