How do we transport a small cockapoo?

[BaronessBomburst]

DH will be collecting a family member, who is coming to stay with us and bringing their cockapoo. It's about an eight-hour car journey.
They will be making regular stops, but what's the safest and most comfortable way to transport the dog?
Relative wants the dog just to sit on their lap but that's not safe; there's lots of motorway driving and the dog is not the best behaved. DH is planning on buying a suitable carrier/ harness but we've never had a dog so have no idea what's best.

If the dog wears a harness already, you can just get a little seatbelt attachment, they aren’t expensive

A small pet carrier. Definitely wouldn't have them sat on a knee for that length of time.

It's illegal for a dog to travel on your knee. Needs to be secured properly.

Don't let dh be persuaded by your relative op, an insecure, unpredictable dog is incredibly dangerous

She doesn't wear a harness.
DH was thinking of getting a harness and a pet seat rather than putting her in a carrier. We're hoping she'll be less stressed if she can snuggle into a cushion. How flexible are the sizings?

Dog with a suitable harness on with as @FirmNewt said an attachment that clips into the seat belt (Pets at Home/Amazon etc) on the back seat. Relative can then sit in the back next to the dog. Or a pet carrier which must be secured in the car. Dogs must not travel in the front of the car with air bags unless air bag is deactivated. Dogs must not distract the driver either.

A small metal crate would be better. It it's not used to a harness and seat belt then it might well not work. They don't work for dogs that fight them and get all twisted up. A crate in the foot well or securely fixed on the seat using the belt would be safer imo.

It's a legal requirement in the UK to have your dog suitably restrained in the car to prevent accidents - I know of one fatal road crash where the primary cause was an unrestrained dog that leapt and distracted the driver. My dog has a loop on a harness that goes through the seat belt and you do it up. The dog can still sit up and lie down comfortably. If your relative is worried, they could always sit in the back with the belted up dog (if you trust them not to undo it). Word of warning though, I have known one dog to chew through the seat belt to get free, and another who learnt to push the button to undo the seat belt! So maybe having your relative in the back with them is a good idea.

Don't worry, he won't be! Sometimes being stubborn and bloody-minded is an asset. 😆
But thank you, I didn't realise it wasn't even legal.

We have a soft crate for our dog and it is brilliant, from Hugglepets. It cost about £40.

I think most harnesses are fairly adjustable, it might be worth going into a pets at home and asking as they will be able to give you an idea based on breed. A crate on the back seat or in boot is also an idea but only if the dog is already crate trained.

We used one of these amzn.eu/d/hGtSvKQ
I have seen some on marketplace aswell as they are only good when they are small puppies
Our puppy slept all the way home

She's not crate-trained either. 😭

I would definitely just go for a harness and seatbelt then, if they’re in the back with your relative they will probably just go to sleep.. fingers crossed!

Right, I'm relaying all of this to DH.
Thank you all!
And I promise to be back with photos when she gets here next month. 😊

I have a Clix Carsafe for my Westie which is a harness and a piece which clips into the seat belt holder
He's quite happy looking out of the window

Our dog was 5 years old when we got him and had never been crate trained. He was dreadful in the car but is much happier now in his soft crate with his blanket and toys … it is a game-changer for us.

She will be much safer in a harness..a loose dog in a collision will likely seriously injured or worse.

A badly behaved dog in a car , loose ''on a knee'' will be a serious danger.

Getting a strong, secure harness is crucial.

The crash test dummies where the dog harnesses fail are alarming.

Mine has a harness that clips in. He does do on the front seat though, I drive a van so no other option. He just snoozed/ gazes at me 🤣🥰

Apart from the danger the fine will hurt if caught by police - and it’s the driver who is held responsible.

Plus it becomes a missile in dog form in an accident.

OP insist on a harness and an attachment to a seat belt at least.

If you do go with a harness please make sure you get one that has been crash tested or made for use in a car.

Hello! For this situation, I think buying a suitable pet carrier (airline crate) is a pretty good option. A high-quality airline crate with ample space can allow the dog to stay inside comfortably. Moreover, airline crates are usually quite sturdy and can protect the dog well in case of sudden braking or other situations.

All this, and car insurance companies may refuse to pay up if a dog is loose in the car. Unsecured dogs in cars have been illegal for some years now, but almost every time I go out I see it still. Either in a crate, or behind a dog guard , or harnessed into the seatbelt, but definitely not on a lap.

Thank you! That's something we may not have thought to check.

Don't worry, there is no way DH will allow the dog loose in the car!

@ranklniyon we'll look at airline crates too.

We have a sort of short lead with an elastic section that plugs into a seatbelt and onto a harness, not a collar, as that could break a neck in an accident. Once clipped in, the dog can sit on the lap of someone wearing a seatbelt.