DOES YOUR DOODLE COME WITH YOU?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I rarely take my Doods with me when I'm out doing errands.  I had noticed that my trainer seems to always have her two Golden Retrievers with her whenever I see her.  Often they are out in her SUV when she's conducting her training sessions.  So, last week I asked her about it.  She said they love to travel with her, and they are happier just waiting/sleeping in the car while she's working.  She makes sure they have water, and they're not left there for more than an hour at a time.  She only does this when the weather permits...not real cold or hot.  It started me thinking that I never bring the boys with me if it means they'll be left in the car alone, even briefly.  When I'm out and my DH is home, it makes the most sense to leave them with him.  But, I'm wondering if it would be better for them to come with me rather than leaving them home alone on these "errand running trips".  Thoughts?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I take Fudge and Vern with me when I run my errands. I never leave them long in the car or take them if it is too hot. They both assume they are going when they see me collect my purse and keys.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Webber goes with me to the Pet Store, Pet Depot, Petco, the local Office supply store, Lowe's, (Home Depot won't let dogs in the store). Southern States, and anywhere else they will allow dogs. In the summer, it is so hot here that I don't leave him in the car; he stays home. I have left him in the parking lot of Wal Mart, at night, for five minutes to pick up a Rx but I am afraid to leave him for long--someone might want him. I take little trips where we can walk outside, to parks, outdoor shopping malls, etc. It's fun and I think he likes riding in the car and he loves to meet and greet people.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Our doodles are used to being home alone and really don't mind it so we normally leave them home when we run errands. However, Kirby LOVES the car. Sometimes if it's a short trip (like to pick up a pizza) my husband will take him. We don't like to leave them alone in the car, but if it's 10 minutes or less we'll do it now and then. We always leave the windows cracked a small amount to make sure they get air.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I take my dogs with me some of the time. I don't leave them in the car very long, no matter the weather. Luca, in particular, will always be standing and looking for me. I used to take him into stores more often but it's harder with 2.

[Kyoko]

I try taking Charlie to as many places as possible, since she is a kind anxious dog, I would like her to get used to different enviornment, people, etc... But I only do it when I don't have to leave her in a car by herself. For example, I take her to downtown Pittsburgh when I take my son there for a lesson, and while we wait, we walk around down town where there are lots of different people, cars, etc....do the same when I drop off, pick up my daughter to and from work. I also walk around shoping center where pet store is located. ( This way, it does not seem so strange for the dog to be at the shopping center) I can do her shopping with her at the pet store, and she can be exposed more often to the different environment. Basically, I am taking her with me for her training purpose rather than her keeping me company.

[Lorraine Bromley]

We take Neely with us alot of the time. He likes to go for rides. It seems he enjoys smelling new smells. He seems to sleep better after an outing almost like he has had more mental stimulation that has tired him out. Like going to puppy school was. He just lays down in the back when we're not in the car. You wouldn't even know there was a dog in the car as our windows are tinted well.

[BG and Gavin]

We take Gavin for errands sometimes and leave him in the car alone for a few minutes. Just hate to pen him up on the weekends when we have to do it during the week. He seems perfectly content to get a change of scenery and really can't be seen lying down with the tinted windows. Lucky for us, he is a good traveller. Of course it all depends on the weather - no dog in hot cars!!

[Pauline Mooney]

Hi Jane,
I'll be honest Mr Bentley goes just about everywhere with me, I'm rarely seen out and about without him. He loves the attention. If I go grocery shopping and he can't come in with me, when the weather is REALLY hot, I will leave the car running with the air con blowing and lock the car with my spare keys. When my husband has been travelling and I have to go to International Arrivals at George Bush he comes in with me and waits for his Dad to come through. You wouldn't believe the attention he gets. He just takes a seat and bathes in the adoration.I love running errands with him, I talk to him about everything, I know I must look loopy driving along talking, singing to him. But GoldenDoodles seem to bring out the best in everyone don't you think????

[F, Calla & Luca]

It am sorry to say that running a car while going grocery shopping to keep a dog comfortable seems like a bad idea to me. Aside from the risk of the theft of the car and dog, that is. The amount of fuel wasted leaving a car idling even for a relatively short trip seems very wasteful and polluting. We have only one earth.It's also not very good for the car engine. I, of course, don't think you should leave your dog in the car without the AC if it's warm, though. I like to take my dogs lots of places but sometimes they need to stay home.

[Stella]

My doodles spend a lot of time home alone during the week when I am at work. So at all other times we really make an effort to take them with us. If they can come in the stores we take them, or walk them around outside while the other person goes in. They are both used to being in the car alone, for up to an hour if the weather is ok, so they sometimes wait in the car while we do groceries. One of them loves to come on car rides, the other is not so keen - but even less keen about being left at home alone!!