Driving Mr. Doodle

[Mindy and Tim and Cody]

We will be getting our goldendoodle puppy next week and of course we are very excited!  One of the questions that has occurred to me is for how long will I be driving with him in his crate?  He will be 8 weeks old when we get him and I'm wondering what to expect as far as doing local drives with him in the car.  Until what age should he stay in his crate while in the car?  Is there anything else that people use while driving with their dogs?  Thanks for all your help!  

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Our girls are 2 years old and we use a car harness for them whenever they are riding in the car.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

Depends on the kind of car you drive and how you can keep him safe. I drive a SUV and have a grill installed between the cargo area and the back seat. I used a car-crate until the dogs were to big to squeeze through the grill. I might have used the car crate longer if they hadn't whined and cried while inside. Made driving a very unpleasant ordeal. Remember that a small puppy needs lots of potty breaks, so short drives are best to avoid accidents. Good luck with your new dog!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

While our baby was still a pup, she rode in a travel crate. As she grew, we bought her a Zoom II doggie car seat. It raises her up high enough to see out the windows, yet is a comfy bed if she wants to sleep. The car's seat belts secure the Zoom car seat, then Sedona is harnessed in. The largest size works for a mini or medium doodle, but would be too small for a standard. Here's the website, if you're interested: http://www.pet-super-store.com/html/zoom-2-dog-car-seat.html

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Never crated for car. Ned preferred the floor behind the passenger seat.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri has used a harness that attaches to the seatbelt for a long time. Probably since age 5 months when I started taking her to daycare on a regular basis. She loves it - it gives her some leeway to look out the window!

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Never crated for the car. Less chance of motion sickness if dog can see out. I have a mini ALD and use a raised
car seat with harnass.

She loves it. Gosh, I'd be tempted to hold the puppy all the way home! I had to go to different state for mine so she had a rolling air carrier that could be used as car seat. It was like a back pack so I just unzipped the top a little and she would poker her head out and then mostly sleep. She outgrew it quickly though.