Dogs in cars

[mothhawk]

I've been out for a walk this morning to one of my favourite spots, where a lot of people come in cars to walk their dogs, and I watched two separate people get their dogs out of the back of their 5-door vehicles from under the parcel shelf!

Now, I don't have dogs any more, working full time, but when I had dogs in the car I took out the parcel shelf. I was quite gobsmacked to think that folk shut their animal in the dark where it has to lie down and can't get up to turn around or see out.

Am I weird, or are they?

[donnakebab]

They are weird. Me and my daughter talk to her dog all the time when we are on a journey. But then maybe their dogs like being in the dark!

[veggiechicken]

Depends on the size of the dog, size of the space under the shelf, whether the back seat is down or not.
I often leave the parcel shelf in place in my estate car but with the back seat down - and the dogs are Cavaliers. They can't see out of the window anyway with their little legs.

[mothhawk]

Depends on the size of the dog, size of the space under the shelf, whether the back seat is down or not.
I often leave the parcel shelf in place in my estate car but with the back seat down - and the dogs are Cavaliers. They can't see out of the window anyway with their little legs.

Well, fair enough, they can move about and see the light. One of the cars I saw was a family hatchback, and after putting the dog (a Sealyham terrier) in the back, the owner also shoved the pushchair in as well. The back seat was up, with two small children sitting there.

[Potstubsdustbins]

My working springer was always in the back of my estate car. He had his own box lined with carpet with a cover half way over. I always found him right at the back of his box under the cover usually asleep.

However keeping a dog under the parcel shelf is in my mind a form of cruelty. Providing the dog cannot interfere with the driver it should be free to move around if it should so desire.

Colin

[VirginVegGrower]

We have dogs and always have estates and ours are dinky terriers. I've had big dogs too and still had estates despite the new fashioned penchant for folding them up origami style in a boot. My neighbour has two labs which he puts in the tiny space against the back seats of a Landy. I wont repeat what I would like to do to him. If Rooty is with me on my own he likes to be in the front seat. He is seat belted and snorks through the open window. He has his own air con too. I want to come back as my dog or G4s - not picky!

[Two_Sheds]

Our dog goes in the boot, harnessed to the seat belt, parcel shelf removed (she likes to see out).

Other dogs may be less calm in the car, and need to be calmed, eg kept more constrained or in the dark. My parrots completely panic if I drive them in their cage, they are much calmer kept in a cardboard box while in the car

[VirginVegGrower]

Our dog goes in the boot, harnessed to the seat belt, parcel shelf removed (she likes to see out).

Other dogs may be less calm in the car, and need to be calmed, eg kept more constrained or in the dark. My parrots completely panic if I drive them in their cage, they are much calmer kept in a cardboard box while in the car

Does she (dog) lick the rear window? Ours do and leave dribbley marks which drives Mr VVG mad, much to my delight

[Two_Sheds]

^ Yes, she does. I only notice though when it gets dark when all I can see in my rear view mirror are doggie smears, like giant snail trails. * note to self, keep a spray bottle of cleaner in the boot

[VirginVegGrower]

I think they must like the cold glass. I think Mr VVG is starting to clean it each week as he washes the car.

[cardiffsteve]

TS all i can say is awwww!
What make is she? The dog not the car!

[Two_Sheds]

Staffy cross whippet Steve, rescued from a bad home a year ago. She was nearly sent back a few times, but now she is a very good dog indeed, very forgiving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMFDS...ure=plpp_video

[cardiffsteve]

She looks sad in that picture.

[Two_Sheds]

Sad? In the car photo? Nah, she was just getting fed up of being photographed and wanted to get on with her walk

[cardiffsteve]

She looks lovely though.

Wish I had a dog but my BH doesnt like them.
We had an unexpected visit from next doors 15 month old dalmatian other day.
Jumped over the wall when we opend kitchen door and ran in house for a nose around.
BH went mad but i just picked him up and put it back over the wall.
He gawjus!