To co-pilot or not to co-pilot?

[Amy & Bernie]

Does anyone know of any guidelines regarding how often or how long your dog should be in the car?

Bernie is 9 months old and loves car rides, shows no outward signs of anxiety.

Up til now I've always taken him to run errands with me and my husband and I take him when we're going to dinner. When we'll be out of the house for extended periods 2+ hours or know we'll be parking in the city we leave him at home, which means he stays in our bedroom.

His "stay at home" option is a comfy situation, but he's not with us. We've always though he'd prefer to wait in the car because he knows we'll be back sooner than later.

Obviously we're rationalizing our actions in a human way, but I'm just curious what everyone else does or if you've read any professional opinions on this - obviously adhering to common sense guidelines when it comes to the temperature outside.

Thanks!

[Kristine and Charlie]

Oh Bernie is sooo cute!  This picture reminds me of my Charlie because when I leave him in the front passenger seat he is always in the driver's seat when I return. :)  I take him with me as much as possible (and have since we got him at 10 weeks old) and I love the company!  He has always been great in the car so I think he likes being with us as we run errands or go out to dinner.  I think we've left him in the car for about 1 1/2 hrs while dining and up to 3 hrs or so as I run errands
(usually in and out of stores, school etc).  It's nice this time of year because we don't have to worry about it being too warm for them in the car.  Actually the sad thing is (since we live in the Seattle area) we won't have to worry about it for a good 4-5 months! 

[Amy & Bernie]

I love the company too, relieves me of listening to my own bad signing or having to talk to myself ;)

We're in Tacoma so we feel your weather pain!

[Joyce,David"Mochi,Latte,Popcorn"]

Mochi too looooves going anywhere with us, and we also prefer taking him with us instead of leave him home alone.

On warm days we try to park in garage parking or find a spot with shade. Our car has a feature that turns on AC/Air ventilation for a while even after we leave the car (when the car is not on), so we use that feature every time we leave Mochi in the car.

If we have to park under sun in warm days, we either just not bring Mochi, or leave the car on and lock it from outside, (then pray whoever wants to steal my car please don't take away my Mochi). It might not be legal to leave your car on when you're away, but we still do it anyways. Usually in this case I'd finish whatever I have to do in stores asap, or park the car where I can see it while I was in stores or restaurants.

 

 

 

 

[Amy & Bernie]

Adorable photo! Bern is so big, the photo I included is actually a couple months old, so now his head would be well into the passenger seat, full body flop over the console. Mochi is so sweet curled up so nicely! My husband and I make bets about where he'll be....sometimes he's driving, sometimes he's ready to play co-pilot, and if we've done our job by that point in the day and he's had his 3-miler or been to the dog park he's sprawled out in back not seeming like he missed us one bit!

[Joyce,David"Mochi,Latte,Popcorn"]

Bernie is SOOOO cute!! love his face and the color!

[Amy & Bernie]

Thank you Joyce, we rarely get photos with his eyes closed, he has a sixth sense in regards to photography, he can "feel" a camera coming a mile away and he's quite shy!

[Daelene & Molly]

We take our dogs with us whenever we can.  Molly who is all of 12 weeks loves to ride, but mainly just sleeps right now.  So my vote is for taking the dogs whenever possible.  I love that picture by the way, your Bernie is absolutely adorable.

[Amy & Bernie]

Thank you Daelene, I have to admit I'm jealous you're still enjoying the early, sleepy, cuddly baby stage! Bernie is a blast but it goes by so quick, now he's like a teenage boy =)

We always keep a tupperware of water in each car, a bully stick, and a roll of bags for impromptu walks, so I agree with you, I think Bern would rather be with us!

[Daelene & Molly]

We live in Yelm WA so we haven't had to worry about temps yet but we rarely leave her by herself in the car.  Looking forward to the spring and early summer when we start taking our lab on geocaches and now Molly will get to accompany us.  Art & I both work full time so it is important to spend as much time with the dogs as possible.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Ok...I'm going to put a clencher in this...I agree with having your dog with you and I know doodle owners have LOTS of common sense. But please be careful, if it's too hot they are better off at home. Here is a link that has cards you can print to put on windshields of those dog owners that don't have common sense and believe me there are many out there. www.mydogiscool.com/b_flyer.php" target="_blank">http://vetmedicine.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=vetmedicine&cdn=homegarden&tm=58&f=10&tt=13&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.mydogiscool.com/b_flyer.php

I have had these cards in my car for over 15 years and have used quite a few. Check out the one that says "don't leave me in here...it's hot.

[Amy & Bernie]

These are great! I'm not shy, I'd totally do this - some people just don't think - doesn't mean they don't love their dogs. Common sense reminders are always good.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

That's exactly right. I did have one stupid woman get insulted and she told me her dog was from some HOT climate area so he was used to the heat!!! My mouth just dropped open...I just looked at her and said "what's that got to do with it, heat is heat, dogs can die"? Being used to heat is not the same as being in a car in the heat...duh. I'm sure she did love her dog but......