Traveling with your doodle questions???

[Stephanie Brown]

We just got our first doodle last week. We've been taking him everywhere we can for riding experience in the car etc. My first question is how many people use those car "seat belt" type restraints for their dog and when did you start training them to use them? Right now we use the crate or he lays on my lap while my husband drives, he's very good and settles right down. I know people probably gasp over that, but he loves to be with us, I know it won't last long. He also will sleep on a seat or in the back of the SUV. Just wondering how people travel with their doodle in general.

My second question is does anyone recommend a certain type of soft crate? I am looking into it now, because even though we have a wire crate and a plastic crate, I've been lugging my plastic one up and down the stairs most days to have it with us when we go places, but also during the daytime if my husband has to crate him for any reason while I'm at work. It's fine for now because it is a smaller crate, but when he's ready for a big one I want something easier to haul around especially on family trips. I figure if I get him used to respecting it now he won't have an issue with misusing it. He likes his crate for sleeping now and I think would like a soft crate. It will be much easier to move around. Then I can just keep the bigger metal one down stairs for when we are away and won't have to worry about him ruining it. SO after all that..... any good durable brands that anyone can recommend? Sizes? I was thinking around the 32 in for now so that it isn't too big for him and he still finds it nice and cozy, but the plastic one looks like it's already getting too small for him... Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/trainingmindsets/forum/topics/que...

[Kate and Maci]

I just joined this group as Maci travels with me (via car) always.  She has used a car restraint since she was a pup.  While I would love to have her sitting on my lap (can't get enough of my sweet pup), it really is dangerous for two reasons.  Should you ever be in an accident, she would be like a projective object and probably end up hitting or going through the windshield.  Second, God forbid you were in an accident and the pup isn't restrained and a car door should pop open, good chance the pup would be freaked out and might bolt.  I am by no means judging you but just some food for thought.

Maci hasn't been crated in forever but I did purchase a soft sided crate for when we did agility, which we've taken a break from.  I still take it with me whenever I travel in case I should need to crate her for any reason.  I drive an Acura RDX and when it is folded down, it fits right on top of the cargo cover, over what would be the trunk if it were a car.  Here is a link to the one I got for her and it's easy to put up and take down.  Have never used when we travel but I just like to have it with and it doesn't take up any room.

 

http://generalcage.com/TentCrates20

 

Have fun traveling with your doodle.  Maci is the best travel companion ever and she never asks "are we there yet" :)

[Stephanie Brown]

Thanks Kate and Maci,
I use a harness at all times. This was an old post, amd since then we trained him to have a seat belt on. (Dog harness,etc). We did end up getting a soft crate which we hardly use. Someone is always with him. Rigby is in the car every Tim's I open the hatch! Loves going on rides with us! Thanks again!