How do you teach good car manners?

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Clifford is a wonderfully calm dog except when he gets in the car. I'm guessing he hadn't been introduced to a car when he was small (we rescued him when he was 9 months). He spends the entire trip going from the front seat, middle seat and rear of my SUV. Even tries to get in my lap - all 65 pounds of him. There is a console between the front seats so it isn't even easy for him to get up there but he does. When my husband is in the car he will ride in the middle row and try to keep him back there but it is a struggle. We know he's excited to get where we are going but it is dangerous for him and we'd like to figure out how to change it. Has anyone been successful in correcting this? We'd love to be able to take longer rides with Clifford!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

yes, definitely get a harness.... however, please make sure it is crash tested.... I work in the pet industry and you would be surprised how many brands (including good quality ones) have car harness that arent crash tested. For smaller dogs its not as important, but for the larger ones it definitely is.... imagine slamming on your breaks or your car being hit by another car - the heavier the pet, the more force they are thrown with - through the windshield. I remember a post a few months back regarding a doodle mom whos car was hit, both her and the doodle were very sore, but safe because they were both buckled in.

I have a kurgo harness, and use it for walking and car rides. Its a US company but you can buy them in Canada too

http://kurgo.com/

RC Pets have a good harness, but itisnt crash safe. I think for small dogs its ok, but not the larger ones. They are developing a crash tested one (they created one but it failed its tests so they are modifying it)

http://www.rcpets.com/rcpets/index.php/browse/category/id/3in1VH

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Does the Kurgo harness allow him to lay down or will he have to sit up? (Not that he will have much room to lay down on a bucket seat!)

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

yes, Cooper can lay down and sit/stand and look out the window

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Kim...there have been some posts in the last 6 months about harnessing in your Doodle when driving. A few members gave us "wake up calls" on never letting your Doodle roam around in the car. They experienced first hand getting rear ended and posted their stories here. My baby is 72 lbs. and there is no way I want her flying through a windshield!! There are harnesses you can buy that allow your Doodle to look out the window. There are past posts on those as well. You just adjust the tether. Be sure it is a harness and not just a leash attached to his collar. That can snap his neck if you had to slam on the breaks!

[Julie, Izzie & Max]

We got good car harnesses for our two large doodles at www.usak9outfitters.com. They work well and the dogs can sit or lie down. I feel it keeps everyone in the car safe with the dogs in their harnesses.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

This is the same place I got Gracie Doodle's harness and she has traveled 8 hours in the car and could lay down, put her head out the window and also rest her head on the console between us. It is like a puzzle to put on at first!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

We have harnesses in both of our cars...so ditto on what everyone else says. They are a must. We let Peri look out the window even on a nice day. They are wonderful.

[Susan and Sasha]

We travel long distances...twice a month (13 hours each way)...and for the long drives...Sasha seems to travel best in a soft side portable crate better than a harness.
She hops right in...and I put a kong and something (indestructable) to chew on in with her..and we we make periodic stops for a potty break...and so she can eat and drink.
I think for the longer trips...this gives her the room she needs...but also provides a bit of that den like privacy... so she can rest and she has a very peaceful ride.
Traveling with her is a joy...and she is relaxed and content for the entire drive..."every time".
For the shorter "drives about town"...I think the harness is the way to go.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Longer trips we use the crate too. Much safer and she relaxes better.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I've been looking into getting a portable crate for long travel and overnight visits. My worry is that we won't be able to fit it in our car, as Darwin needs a pretty big one. Do you mind me asking where you got yours, or what brand it is?

[Susan and Sasha]

Hi Camilla...
Sasha is about 70-75 lbs...and I was concerned about the very same thing.
I went to Pet Smart and found a really nice soft side travel crate...that folds flat.
They were very helpful...and showed me that you could easily fit it in the car by keeping the sides folded down while putting it through the door...and then putting the sides up when it was in the car. Brilliant! LOL...
It worked perfectly...and now Sasha travels in comfort on those long drives...and she is safe and sound!
I leave the top of the crate open...so that she gets lots of air flow from the top (it comes close to the ceiling of the car)...and there are nice mesh openings on all sides...so nice air flow there too.
Sasha is a happy girl...and so am I...

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri's a mini so her regular crate fits in the car....