Member

Posts: 55
From:Youngstown, OH USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 07-29-2003 02:25 AM         

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I'm curious as to how many people actually cage their dogs while they're driving or have a car seat or something like that and how many let their dogs roam in the car. Nestle "screams"if you cage her or put her in a car seat while you're driving and I just find it less distracting to keep her in my lap while I drive (she goes everywhere with me). My mom yelled at me the other day for leaving her out of the cage, but she usually just lays really still in my lap and goes to sleep. If she does move around, it's to change positions and if she does try to toddle to another part of the car, I don't even have to take my attention away from the road to grab her and put her back in my lap. My mom tried holding her while I drove, but she still screamed until I took her and put her in "her spot". I just feel that it's safer for both of us if she's in my lap and not distracting me rather than caged or buckled in and taking my attention away from driving (yes, I am fairly new driver, only four years, so I am open to advice). I'd like to hear other opinions on this matter, though, since my mom is giving me a rather hard time about the situation. Thanks ahead for replies!

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Member

Posts: 401
From:Tennessee, USA
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-29-2003 10:32 AM         

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Well, the "safer" thing would be to put her in a carrier. Incase there was a car accident. There are many places and sites where you can order dog "carseats" so to say. And they are more open so the dog can see out better. I do admit many times I grap my alex and I go out the door with no carrier. Its really just a personal preference. (even tho one is safer)

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Member

Posts: 106
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-29-2003 10:32 AM         

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I HAVE A CAR SEAT FOR MY PUP

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Member

Posts: 21
From:Scotland, UK
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-02-2003 09:52 AM         

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Hiya

Well it is much safter to have has in a carrier or with a doggie seat belt on than have her walking about in the back and distracting the driver...nothing worse, also incase you were in a crash you wouldnt want poor pups to be hurt!!

My maltese is too small for a seatbelt but will happily sit in her carrier or on your knee if need be, the jack russles on the other hand both have doggie seat belts ...its SO much easier than when they used to be jumping about in the back lol

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Member

Posts: 64
From:
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-02-2003 05:18 PM         

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I'm guilty too of just keeping my little girl on my lap. She is just not happy anywhere else. She will whine and cry. That is more distracting to me than her being on my lap. She just sits there quietly. I know she would be safer in a carrier or seatbelt but this just works better for us.

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Member

Posts: 21
From:Scotland, UK
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-03-2003 08:43 AM         

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Lacey

I know what you mean! - Its sooooo easy just to keep her on your lap when you know shes happy and will keep quiet isnt it?

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Member

Posts: 27
From:Ottawa, Canada
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 08-03-2003 02:47 PM         

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Any animal should not be loose inside a vehicle. Not only will they distract you, but could get really hurt, even if it's a small fender bender. A small dog or cat could jump down or fall to your feet and land under or near the gas/brake peddles...not a good thing. You wouldn't let your baby or small child lay down beside you on your lap when you are driving...would you? So, for the car ride, long or short, don't you think it may be in the best interest of yourself, your pet and other drivers that they be secured in the back seat? Your dog will eventually get used to it. Your Mom is right :-)

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Moderator

Posts: 480
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 08-03-2003 06:07 PM         

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To Deeny. Not all dogs can be secured in a car and not many ever get used to it. If you get the dog from a puppy then yes it can easily get adapted to a seatbelt or crate. In my situation all my dogs are rescues. Both of them are clostaphobic and cannot be crated even in the house. There are many dogs out ther like this. Let alone the fact that a crate for a rottweiler cannot fit in the back seat of my car. My one rotty you cannot put a harness on her let alone one that attaches to a seatbelt. Many rescue dogs were traumatized by something in their life. Many rescue dogs go nuts if put in a crate. They will try to get out to the point that they will either injure themselves or make themselves so stressed out they get sick. Let alone the fact that if my dogs really wanted to they could either chew my seatbelt in half or pull it out. I know this is a toy forum but you said all. And there are toy dogs that go just as nuts when restrained or crated. Sometimes it is fixable sometimes its not. You said it is safer but for me it isnt. My dogs would injure themselves if they were restrained in my car. My one did it in the house. Banged her head and cut open her paws trying to get out of the crate. So I think it is what is best for the dogs. What is less stressful and the best way to do that. SOmetimes you can crate a dog sometimes you cant. Sometimes you can seatbelt a dog sometimes you cant and sometimes you can let your dog in the back seat and sometimes you cant. It all depends on the individual dog. Some dogs can adjust to being restrained in the car. But if you do that at a later age it is not only another traumatic experience for the dog but it can also become a safety issue of itself. Just my feelings on it

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Member

Posts: 27
From:Ottawa, Canada
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 08-05-2003 06:50 AM         

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To Rottymommy: someone asked a question, I posted my feelings on it. By the way, I was talking about "small" dogs, since this is a "small dog" forum.

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