Ziggy Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Hi everyone, We are getting Charlie, our puppy, in four weeks time, and I am getting jittery getting everything ready for his arrival. I am now looking at car travel, and was wondering if anyone could give advice or opinions on the following options : - my first thought was to get a crate, and put it in the back of the car, with one seat folded down (it's a volvo xc90, three rows of seats). This seems to me a safe option, but it obviously take a fair amount of room (not ideal when the whole family, plus a friend, are all in the car). - there are harnesses available, which let the dog use a normal seat (there is a thread on this, with a link, I looked at those and again it seems a nice option). Would a car seat be able to accomadate a full size, grown irish setter though? Would the dog not be uncomfortable having to sit up all the time? - looking at my car, I find that the space behind the 3rd row of seat is actually quite spacious. I do not know if that would do once the dog is fully grown, but it's certainly big enough for a puppy, so I was looking at cargo/dog guards, but the companies I enquired with tell me not to put them behind the 3rd row, saying it doesn't leave enough room for the dog. I am a little confused by that, as I assume that the aim of these devices is partly to keep the dog contained. Surely if the dog has room to tango and waltz, a crash would have disastrous consequences for him?? If anyone has any advice on what to consider and what works best, I'd be very grateful!! Thanks (I'll most likely post a lot in the next few weeks, asking this same 'which is best' question about everything one needs to get for a puppy!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chookiehen Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 When we picked up Polo, we had to a 4 hour drive back home, so bought a crate designed for car boots, and put her in that. On the advice of the dog trainer, we also picked up a couple of cheap dark blue fleece throws from Ikea, and covered the crate with them, leaving enough room for air. Polo howled for the first hour, as expected, and we stopped twice at services to let her have a wee, and give her a drink. She soon settled, and got home in one piece, and we've never had any problems with her in the car since the initial crying on that first car journey. I believe that, by law, you MUST ensure that a dog is secure in a car, whether it be with a harness or crate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chookiehen Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 This is the cage we bought http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8706014/Trail/searchtext%3EDOG+CAGE.htm It's designed specifically for car boots, and although Polo is now a fully grown German Shepherd, she still fits comfortably in it, albeit with not much room for dancing around. She will, however, happily settle in it, and sleep for the majority of a car journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Personally I find a crate the best solution, but have used a dog guard before (in the days before crates were used). I also have a harness for use with the back seat belts, for when we need to use the massive boot for cases or luggage. Ruy settles well in her crate, doesn't chew anything and loves travelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Same as Clare.....crate or harness. I've just ordered a strap which clip onto the ordinary dog harness and clip into the seat belt hole....if that makes sense? - I find the car harness difficult to work out in a hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 That's the one I have Lesley - far easier. We don't use it often, but it's useful if we need to have two dogs in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I didn't realise that it was the law to have a dog secure in a car by use of a harness or crate. We have always had both Poppy (previous dog) and Lola on the floor by the pasengers feet. If there isn't a passenger then we loosly tie her onto the thing that moves the seats forward and backwards. I'm not sure how we can change what we are doing tbh. A crate isn't really an option as i have a Corsa so not sure one would fit in my boot with all my other stuff that i have in there. Also the majority of the time when Lola travels with us we have a full or nearly full car so her having a seat all to herself isn't suitable. Maybe we could get a harness for her and then attach her to something in the boot. Actually i'm not sure thats any different to what we do now apart from her having a harness on. Any thoughts? (Sorry for my ramble Ziggy don't think it will be helpful to you, i'm looking for advice too and didn't want to start a new topic) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 The harness we have for Yogy he can still lay down. The advise I was recently given was to just be aware that with a crate if (god forbid) you had an accident the dog would still potentially be damaged as would still be loose in the crate to go against it - and watch the crate doesnt move too. I am sure youll have a crate anyway (?) so you can always try and see? Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 We have a Freelander and have a dog guard fitted behind the back seats. We put her basket and her new water bowl (one of those bowls that doesn't spill - very clever) in the back and she's very comfortable as the rear window can be opened on our car so she gets air aswell. When Bracken was a pup - she got car sick (I think it was because she couldnt see out the window) so it might pay to use a crate with a "view" until puppy has grown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 A harness is best if you're fastenigmn them to a seat belt or other anchor point - then they're not getting yanked on the neck when you stop suddenly. The seat belt attachment is only a few quid and give plenty of room to move around, but keeps them secure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 Sunshine, no worries, you're not rambling, your thoughts are the same as mine, trying to figure out how to fit all the kids and the dog in the car and have everyone safe. My car is big, but then so is my family and we often transport some of my daughters' friends, so space is also an issue. I still like the idea of all of them... Lesley and Claret, which harness do you use? Is there a website or shop that you know of, where I could see one, or is there a brand name? Knowing me, I'll end up with all systems and using them all in different circumstances... As Michelle pointed, I'll have a crate anyway... The dog guard seems useful for the times when the car seats are all occupied, as the crate would take the space of a seat... there are some online for around £50, might be worth investing it and see how it goes. The harness could be good for when it's just me and my girls in the car, without DH or girls' friends, cause then the dog could just use a seat, though as I've been told that Irish Setters are very prone to car sickness in the first year or so, a crate with lots of towels might be the preferred option while he is little, and a harness might be good when he has grown out of the sickness (or 'if' he grows out of it)... I don't want to buy too many unnecessary things, but at the same time he is likely to come in the car with us a lot, so thought this needs careful thinking... I wasn't sure if it was the law or not to have the dog secure, but wouldn't want the dog to get hurt or hurt anyone else in a crash or when having to brake heavily... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Ziggy, I can't remember the name of the harness, but I have two seperate bits - a harness, which can also be used with a lead; and the thingy that attaches it to the seat belt, which came from a different manufacturer. I got both from Crofts in Banbury, you will need top fit the pup for a harness if you get one, but try to get one with plenty of growing room. Dog harness looks a bit like this Seat belt thingy like this one Give me a shout if you want help fitting it Ziggy; anything for a puppy snuggle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 Thanks Claret, that's helpful, thanks to the pictures I now understand how it works (sorry, it's all new to me and I'm a little thick about it all)... You should come round for a cup of tea and a puppy cuddle anyway... or bring Ruby some time and call it a 'dog socialising event'... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 No worries, just glad that the pictures helped. Crofts in Banbury have them both in stock and are very helpful if you're stuck with outlets down Oxford way. You won't have to ask me twice... just let me know when you've got him and we'll be down there like a shot! I think Ruby will be a bit big for him just yet . I know a great dog trainer if you're stuck - she's brilliant with Ruby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 I have started to look at dog trainers, so would be happy to hear recommendations... I'd like someone who could come and do some sessions at home with the kids too, to involve them in learning how to train Charlie... I'll come on with loads more questions in the next few weeks, you'll be sick of me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Will PM you her details Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunshine Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Ok we are going to get a harness for Lola to wear in the car and on walks dependiong on how we get on with it. Is there a particular sort we should get? I've been looking on the internet and there are lots of different ones. Should we just get a bog standard/simple one? Ideally we would like to buy one off the internet as our pets at home only seems to stock patterned ones and our local pet shop isn't much better. Any reccomendations of websites to use? When i type dog harnesses into google loads of websites come up and i don't know how to choose!!! Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Do you have a petstore you could visit? We have a small local one where we take Jazz - the first one we tried wasn't suitable....she wriggled out of it The lady there helped us with the fitting and we have a strong, padded one for Jazz which has been excellent. Jazz has managed to get out of it once - in a split second, she shot out of it backwards........the straps had loosened slightly and we just make sure to check them now. We also tried the Halti there but Jazz could get it off too easily. We could have spent a fortune by buying online and ending up with something not suited to Jazz or her build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Am now feeling very about my 3 monsters in the car, they usually lay down on the floor, though Jess alternates between the floor & a seat & Daisy likes to stick her nose on the open window Now frantically looking for harnesses for the car with quick delivery, found this & splattered tea on the screen..........http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk/item--Car-Booster-Seat--booster---dogs Would this form of harness be ok attached to the seat runners in the floor of the Espace would anybody know? Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 that one does look funny, doesn't it... I love the pic of the little dog in the red booster... I wonder if anyone here will have seen them or have experience of them?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Am now feeling very about my 3 monsters in the car, they usually lay down on the floor, though Jess alternates between the floor & a seat & Daisy likes to stick her nose on the open window Now frantically looking for harnesses for the car with quick delivery, found this & splattered tea on the screen..........http://www.canineconcepts.co.uk/item--Car-Booster-Seat--booster---dogs Would this form of harness be ok attached to the seat runners in the floor of the Espace would anybody know? Sha x Just re-read this...I don't mean the booster seats for my 3 labs, I do mean the proper harnesses ...I haven't lost the plot to that degree yet Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Did you mean these ones Sha? The come with an attachment (shown) to go in the seat belt housing, but I guess that if you can secure them somehow to the seat runners, then that might also work. They just need enough elngth to move around and sit up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Yes that's the sort of thing...DH is anti as they won't, in his eyes, have enough room to sit & stand & turn round comfortably. Mind you he was anti the cage too................. Trouble is the law is the law & safety is paramount...our girls will just have to get used to being restrained Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Rubes is more settled in her crate than on the seat, but you have more doggles so it's a different story. You won't be worried if they are secured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 They are a distraction that's for sure, the younger two used to have a crate in the car, but we had it on loan & never replaced it Just found a huge crate on ebay, so I'm watching that...got to go & have a measure up in the car to see if it would fit!! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
