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!

[Amy & Bernie]

So frustrating! Makes me wish I could relay to Bern how good he has it sometimes...especially when he's having an adolescent puppy fit! =)

[Kelli, Fenway, & Dustin Pedroia]

I would also love to take my babies with me and do as much as possible, but we live in Columbia, SC and it is illegal here to leave your dog unattended in the car and it is enforced.  Therefore we can only take them with us if one or the other of us stays in the car with them.  It's a bummer because it means our doods have to stay home more often than not when we're just out running errands or going somewhere they can't come with us.  So make sure you know the laws where you are and that this isn't illegal.  A fine would be horrible, but it would be unthinkable to have one of our precious doods taken away because we left them in the car where this was the penalty :(

[Amy & Bernie]

Very interesting, I've never heard of that! Good to know though, we move quite a bit and of all the local "laws" I think to check into I wouldn't consider this. Thank you!