Dogs in cars - your travel "solutions"

[Zetec-S]

Hoping for a bit of inspiration from PH, and hopefully an excuse for people to post pictures of their dogs and cars as well

In a few weeks we should be getting a Keeshond puppy and are trying to decide what option is best for travelling in the car. Our previous dog (labrador) initially travelled in the boot as a puppy, but when he got older we swapped over to a hammock style cover for the back seats and had him harnessed there instead.

My preference is the back seats again (we have no kids), but not sure how a puppy would get on, at least the boot is more enclosed so less space for it to jump about, etc... cars are a Focus (hatch) and MINI (3 door). Can't decide if some sort of cage or dog car seat thing might be a good idea.

Anyway, over to PH... anyone care to share what they do?

TIA

[RichardAP]

We’ve use Solvit dog car booster seats, one for each dog (11kg cockerpoo, 5kg cavapoo).They keep them secure in their own space and they can see us and see out.

[J8 SVG]

I'm on the waiting list for a medium/large dog so I'd be interested in replies

I'm guessing, this being pistonheads, it should be something like this https://mimsafeuk.com/product/variocage-compact/?a...

Maybe with a fine leather cushion to keep them comfortable

[aparna]

Just sits on the car back seat with lead tied to door handle. She is quite happy in a cage in the boot when dog Walker comes.

[A500leroy]

Proper harness for the dog (dog believe in collars) and one of these on the back seat.

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/pets-at-ho...

[HTP99]

A500leroy said:

Proper harness for the dog (dog believe in collars) and one of these on the back seat.

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/pets-at-ho...

Our solution too.

[PushedDover]

Estate Car. Boot. Done

[914Phil]

Buy an estate or hatch and dog goes in there. I’ve never liked having dogs on the back seat, they slide around and get hairs everywhere. I’ve got three kids to be fair so dog has always had to be in the “boot” but even before they came along I didn’t like the dog being on the back seat and only did it when didn’t have access to an estate or hatchback. My rescue collie cross used to love being in the 968 “boot”! Back seats folded down created a reasonable platform for him. Couldn’t do it when it was too hot though as that glass can trap a lot of heat for a poor dog! You also get used to speccing leather rather than cloth in your cars as it’s so much easier to deal with hairs/drool etc. !

[MOBB]

I put my 3 critters in one of these;

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/dog-bag/dogs-pets-carrie...

[Sway]

VW Caddy Maxi Life. Third row removed, carpet replaced with lino.

Large metal crate, tied down to the loading points.

Probably not the answer you were looking for!

[Marniet]

Any excuse to post a photo . Gloria was buckled into the solvit car seat up until about 6 months . Now use an isofix tether to her harness on the back seat .

[Sporky]

Hammock on back seats, dogs in harnesses clipped into the seat belt points.

[super7]

[Marcellus]

We’ve got a soft cage that’s his den in house and then goes in the boot so becomes his den in the car, when he sees it being carried down the stairs he knows he’s going somewhere and as soon as it’s put in the car he jumps in.

Takes up 1/3rd of the boot space and is secure when in there.

[otolith]

PushedDover said:

Estate Car. Boot. Done

This.

[Equus]

I've tried harnesses - mine hated them, tangled themselves up, and became distressed (to be fair, they're English Pointers, which aren't especially bright, even by canine standards).

Tried hammock-style solutions when I've had saloons. These work ok-ish, but you have to be careful about dog hair mud, and scratches around your passenger compartment.

Best solution by far, I think, is an estate car or SUV, and simply sling them in the boot. I do some LONG trips with mine (Norfolk-Exeter, quite regularly), and am not happy with any other option.

[Sporky]

Equus said:

I've tried harnesses - mine hated them, tangled themselves up, and became distressed (to be fair, they're English Pointers, which aren't especially bright, even by canine standards).

I'll raise you an Old English Sheepdog who was described as a dog trainer as "special".

Ours have a tether betwixt harness and seat belt point, so they can move a bit but should be reasonably safe in an accident.

[pidsy]

Bought mine this.
(Needed an excuse for a shed estate).

[oddman]

We crate trained ours and use a crate in the car.

He has always been happy in his crate as he is in his 'safe place'

Loves going out as it usually means fun.

Current family wagon is a T6 Kombi - take the single seat out the rear put the crate in and bungee it to tie points. Dog jumps in through sliding door entrance. Kids go in through passenger door and between front seats to get to back - works really well

[paulguitar]

Reginald hates being in the car and this thing hasn't improved anything.

Excuse to post photo though.