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?

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

I take Timbow with me, but only when he can come inside where I'm going. He is much happier laying on his bed watching tv while I'm away from the house. I think he would feel scared in the car alone since he's not used to it. I am also terrified that someone would try to take him. -- We had some family friends that were traveling and stopped to eat at a Cracker Barrel. They left their cocker spaniel in the car and when they came out he was gone. :( If they're happy at home and you aren't gone for long then I wouldn't risk it.

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

It was stolen. It was locked up in their suburban with the windows cracked just a little. It is an extreme situation though and I'm sure that doesn't happen to everyone. My mom takes her shih tzu with her to a lot of places and he's fine, but he's trained to not bark in the car and basically curls up in a ball on the front seat. Timbow would be so upset if I left him in a car and would probably cry the whole time, which would break my heart. I just get too nervous..he's my baby.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Jane -- Anywhere I go that the girls are allowed I take them with me. If I am just doing errands like running into the cleaners or bank or something I will take them as well (weather permitting). On the week-ends we always plan our activities around things that they can do. There are so many places that allow them to come in that we just frequent those places. We have an outlet center that allows them in the stores so we spend a lot of time going there. We have always done these type things since they were little as part of their socialization to people and new surroundings. I won't leave them in the car for more than a few mins though. The longest I have left them is in TN on our way to AL we ate at a Cracker Barrel with my parents and we parked the van by where we were sitting so I could see them (well I could have seen them if they stood up -- they slept the entire time.). A couple weeks ago I went over into KY for a hospice meeting. Sophie had to go with me because they wanted to me her to evaluate her for their program. It was very warm that day and I wanted to stop at this little primitive shop but I didn't want to leave Sophie in the car. I walked up to the door and just asked the manager if she cared if Sophie came in and she said she had no problem whatsoever with Sophie coming in so that worked out well. That particular day I would not have left her in the car for even a few mins. I personally think though that it depends on the dog. Some dogs are probably happier in their own home environment, and some are probably happier tagging along.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I do know they'd rather be with me than home alone. I'm thinking it makes sense to bring them if I'm going to places where they would be allowed or where I will only be leaving them in the car for a few minutes. I wouldn't leave them alone while we ate dinner, but if we stopped for a quick lunch and I could see the car I would consider it. Lucy and Sophie's Mom brings up a good point about asking store owners if they'd mind if I brought them in. I never really think about doing that, and there's probably many owners of the smaller shops that wouldn't mind at all. Now that the weather is warmer here, we're always looking for "outdoor restaurants". I'm assuming they all allow dogs.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I find shops that don't have breakables don't really seem to mind. however, outdoor restaurants around here won't allow the dogs. Most of ours have a fenced patio area that you have to go inside to get to. Maybe more towards Cincinnati it might be different and they might allow them I'm not sure.

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

If you could keep an eye on them then I'm sure they'll be fine. The cocker spaniel story was an extreme situation that has always made me decide to not leave Timbow in the car. My mom has a shihtzu that goes to a lot of places with her though and he's fine. I just get nervous. :)

[Adina P]

I used to do it LOTS!  But only with Rosco because he didn't mind napping in the car.  I've taken him to work and put him in the car if I had a patient that I had to see in my office.  I've taken him on a business trip across the state and he was content napping in the car during meetings.   Now if it was freezing outside, no.  And if it was a warmer day, no.  So last year I was sad when summer came because it was the end of trips to work with Rosco (since one of my two jobs didn't allow dogs in my office).

[Sue]

I rarely leave the house without Kramer. He is at the point now where he automatically thinks he goes with me every time I pick up my jacket. Of course in the summer he has to stay home.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with Judi completely, and never take Jack with me in the car if I will have to leave him alone for even a second.
However, I will take him if my grandson is also with us, because then I can leave them both in the car safely if I have to run in somewhere for a few minutes. (Even then, though, the car is parked where I can see them, locked, and the keys with me.)

[Camilla and Darwin]

I don't have tinted windows, and even if it was a moderate temperature, I'm too afraid to leave him. He always gets so much attention... I guess I'm paranoid I would come back and find him gone. Perhaps it is just my "prideful mom-ness" thinking that everyone would of course want to steal him. Perhaps I am too paranoid, but it isn't worth even a small chance that someone would take him.

[The Kleins, Tempe, AZ]

Phoebe loves Home Depot, and our local Home Depot loves Phoebe. We don't leave her in the car but we try to take her to dog friendly places. She is always up for an outing. :-)

[Cheri & Bonny]

Home Depot is a great spot for socialization training for a puppy, especially one like mine that was afraid of everything. Lots of interesting, and potentially scary, things to see and get used to and the store doesn't mind at all.