Crate or barrier for car travel?

[Jessica]

I'm trying to figure out how best to transport  10 week old GD Sheldon. He's already 18 pounds so I'm guessing that he'll be quite big (70lbs?). I have a Honda Pilot and 3 kids to transport in addition to Sheldon. I'm trying to decide between a crate or a barrier behind the back seats. Since he's going to be so big, it seems like the barrier would be better but I'm not sure. Thoughs? Recommendations for good barriers?

[Bonne Bouche]

Lol, when we went to the vet, wednesday BB weighed 16 (likely 18 now), and she told us he'd be big. Not surprised that yours is, too!

 

We have a medium sized plastic crate we're using for overnights now, and for transport in cars. I drive a Pontiac Vibe, so when he get's old enough and he grows to a size too large to fit in a cage in the car we plan on getting some barrier for the back/hatch section of the car. What kind of car do you drive?

 

How is Sheldon doing?

[Jessica]

He's doing great! He's a big boy already and we love it! We know another male from that breeder and he's 70lbs. Sheldon had his first session with our trainer and can now sit and down, and leash walking is coming along well.

How's BB? How much is he eating? S eats 1c 3x a day and he devours it!

As for the transportation issue, i drive a Honda pilot and I'm thinking I'll go with the barrier, especially since Sheldon will likely be so big.

Does BB have a milk jug to play with? It's sheldons new favorite!

[Bonne Bouche]

Lol, I'm in the process of writing up a big post about how things have been going for us. You've hit on a few things I was writing there, lol!

 

We were only feeding 2.5 cups, the lower end of what TOTW suggest for puppies between 15-25 lbs, but decided today that we needed to up that, we'll do at least 3 tomorrow. Our vet said its hard to "overfeed" at this age, they use so much energy growing and playing, Good to know that your feeding 3 though!

 

We just gave a milk jug tonight for the first time, he loves it! We also gave a larger water bottle (.5L) that he's loving! We were just looking for another kind of toy to occupy him, and these are great -- he's not tearing them up like i worried he would, he's just carrying them and pouncing on them! So fun to watch!

 

I do think the barrier is the best in the long run. ;-]

 

 

[Terri H and Kramer]

Crate vs barrier. I used to have a Highlander (SUV similar to Pilot) and Kramer had trouble staying in the back when he was smaller. When I bought a new Toyota Venza (a crossover/hatchback style) it had a cool new feature of reclining back seats. I assumed I would have to buy a barrier which would nullify this feature, but low and behold he has NEVER jumped over the seat! He is pleased as punch to have his own area to sit in the car, and seems to have no interest in being up front with me or in the rear seats with the kids. Before you buy a barrier see if this might be the case for you, maybe a crate in the rear would work for the wiggly puppy stage for now. When Kramer was a smaller puppy I was guilty of always holding him in my lap so I was very surprised and happy he figured this out on his own!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I bought a special seatbelt for my puppy. It's a harness that latches right into the regular seat belt buckle. She curls up on the front passenger seat and eventually falls asleep. It's great because I can pet her and give her treats whenever I stop at a light or something. Not sure if it will continue to work when she is bigger, but it seems fine for her now...

[Sandra Griffith]

I would use a crate for now and switch to a car harness as he gets too big for the crate if this is possible.  This way he will get used to riding in the car and will protect your car from any car sickness, accidents, or chewing while he is little.  When he gets bigger the harness will allow him to sit in any seat with a seat belt that is convenient depending on who is in the car and your cargo on each individual trip.