Easy car ride solution

[Ariel Weiner]

What is the easiest way for me to secure our new puppy for car rides? I have three young children too so need something that will be super easy and quick to use. Thank you for your help!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

It would help to know what type vehicle and how big the puppy is now and will be when grown.  Since you have the kids and I'm sure car seats it gets a little more tricky.

[Ariel Weiner]

I have a Toyota Sienna. the puppy is about 8-10 pounds now and is expected to be about a thirty pound labradoodle. The dog can sit in the passenger seat next to me or in one of the bucket/captain seats in the second row. Thanks for any leads. I go pick up the puppy tonight!!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

This is the setup that I use for Charlotte, who is now 24 pounds. It's a carseat by Animals Matter, and is secured to the back bucket seat of our Toyota Sienna. In the first photo, her Kurgo harness is laying on top of an extra cushion that I put into the booster seat. I used a stainless-steal chain to tether it to the seat, and the other end of the chain is attached to her harness. I did this, because she chewed her way through the strap that came with the seat! I also anchored the rear, back, bottom of the booster to the bucket seat, because it needed something extra to prevent it from tipping forward if we ever need to stop short. That's what you can see in the second photo. I also used some bungee chords (also supplied by me) to be extra certain that the seat was not going to budge. It's called the Companion 3X Dog Car Seat, and you can find it on the website of In The Company of Dogs:  Companion Standard Dog Car Seat by Animals Matter. The third picture shows Charlotte in her seat last January on a road trip.  

[Gail and Bailey]

I assume that the harness is somewhat loose so Charlotte can move to lie down or sit up??  She looks so comfy! 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

She has about 10 inches between her harness and the place where the chain is attached to the back of the seat. She can sit up or lay down, and move around to change direction quite easily. This shows how I set it up. The chain, itself, is about 16-inches long, but it's folded in half, plus the carabiner gives her an extra two inches.  

[Lynda Kamrath]

Car seats for dogs are fine for an older dog, but I think a puppy should be enclosed in a crate when traveling in a car.  You want him to be secure, but you also do not want him moving around in the car and being a possible missile.  Sitting in the passenger seat next to you?  I would say "never" on that one.  Maybe the back area can be secured for later, but he should not be on the passenger seat or in the second row with the children.  For one thing, it is just too distracting, and then there is the safety issue, for him, the children and the driver.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Lots of good advice here.  Coming home tonight is going to be a challenge.  The puppy is so small at this point that finding a seatbelt harness is going to be hard.  I would personally want someone with me the pay attention to the puppy.  A small carrier that can be secured with the seat belt and someone along to comfort the puppy (if you drive is very long) would be great.  Once the puppy is older the Click it sleeypod harness system is the #1 rated system for dogs.

[Ariel Weiner]

Thank you all for these suggestions. Someone will definitely be holding the puppy tonight on the ride home, i just wanted to be prepared for future trips...thank you!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Remember to bring towels to place on your lap between you and the puppy.  Oh, and paper towels, too -- just in case.  You must be beyond excited!

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Also bring some toys to distract them. My Orwell was nervous on the way home (thank goodness it was only a 5 minute drive!) and would not settle in my brother's lap. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

AnnaBelle on our ride home, 5.5 hours.  Make sure they don't feed her within a few hours of your picking her up if you have a very long ride.  You can give her a few pieces of kibble if she seems to be doing ok.  Don't want the tummy either over full or empty.