OK, not sure where to put this but here it goes.I have been taking my 11 month old Mal with me to work when I work and is for twelve hours. This way I can get him out 3 or 4 times during that time to train. Well there are several at my work that think it is cruel to leave a dog in a crate in the truck. In fact one is going to call the cops next I do so. I am going to check with the SPCA and see if there is anything against the law that we are doing. Does anyone have any info before I do so. It is cool enough now , he has water and a fan and kept in the shade. I wonder if I should tell him my dog eats raw chicken , does not get any vaccines except for Rabies. Realy wanting to vent now. Anyway any comments?

As long as it is not hot out, I can't see this being a problem. The cops are going to see that this is a well cared for animal. Heck a police dog spends a whole lot of his shift in a vehicle right?

I am in a course for 9 hrs a day all this week and I too am leaving my dog in my truck. It is cold here now, below zero celcius. Like you this is so that I can let the dog out on my breaks. I am also trying to acclimatize him to his winter job where he will be kenneled in the car or outdoor kennel. I would rather not leave him in my heated house all day right now. I get the odd comment, but so far no one has threatened to turn me in!

Find out the laws, and then tell them to stick it......geesh, people are so "over-the-top" about things like this.

I have people tell me I am mean ALL the time for crating my dogs. I just tell them that I would rather they lose a finger for sticking it in my dogs frickin crate (after I have asked them not to) than their whole arm if the dog were loose.

(and mine are pretty much friendly around people but they are protective of their vehicle.)

I think that as long as it is not hot out, or too cold depending on the coat of the dog and tolerance to colder temperatures, that this is not a "bad" thing. You stated he has a fan, fresh water, and you let him out 3-4 times a day? How long do you usually have him out for? How long is he usually left in the crate at a time (between being let out) ?

I think the main concern is that the temperature may rise to an unacceptable level during the day. IMO this is far better than leaving the dog home in a crate for that length of time.

I am interested to see what others have to say on this one, as I know leaving an animal in a vehicle can be a touchy subject - I had a woman call me in for leaving Cajun in the car for less than 10 minutes on a 60 degree day...

~Jenn M.

Oh yes. People love nothing more than to call and report a dog in a car. Well it all depends on the temp. I have broken out windows to remove a dog that was overheated and convulsing. People do stupid things. Like I said it all depends on the temp. and if the dog is showing any distress.
What is the high temp during the day there now?
The dog having a fan, water, shade and the windows I assume down some, should be OK if the temp in the car is within reason and the dog isnt in distress.
You might even stick your cell phone number on the crate in case some one does show up and has questions. Like it or not people will complain and it will be investigated. If everything is good then everything is good. If its not.......thats not good.

You could also get a large thermometer and hang it on the crate so it is visible from outside.

 Quote: carol boche

Find out the laws, and then tell them to stick it......geesh, people are so "over-the-top" about things like this.

I totally agree. How dare they?

 Quote: Jennifer Coulter

As long as it is not hot out, I can't see this being a problem. The cops are going to see that this is a well cared for animal. Heck a police dog spends a whole lot of his shift in a vehicle right?

Exactly. Go ahead, call the cops, idiot. Let them come out here and I'll show you what the law is.

 Quote: Debbie Bruce

You could also get a large thermometer and hang it on the crate so it is visible from outside.

Good idea!

Bottom line, you are looking out for the welfare of the dog by brining it to work. If you didn't do this, the dog would be at home in the crate all day, right? Well, what is the best alternative for the dog? That's who is important here.

My dogs alternately come to work with me, which means they get outside when I'm not busy...which is a lot, lol. If they sit at home, they're crated 9 hours. Period. At work, they get out several times per day, run around, get lunch, sleep under my desk if no one's around, etc. I have had several people at work comment things like "Oh, poor baby. Has to sit in the car all day." I respond "Yeah, he wishes he was at home locked in a crate like *your* dog." They usually pause and think about it for a second before admitting, "yeah, I guess they'd rather at least see you a LITTLE bit during the day."

I DARE someone to call the cops on me for leaving a dog in 50 degree weather in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, with lots of room in the back, a dog bed, RMBs, a water bucket, and most importantly, he gets to hang out w/his Mom for at least a few hours of that time! Why is it thought of as more humane to leave a dog at home day in and day out? My dogs freak when their name is called when I have keys in my hand. "Yay! It's MY day to go to work!"

A crate is a crate, whether it's in your home or in a truck. I love people that say "a dog should not be left in a car or truck for any length of time no matter what". I then ask in response, "what about K-9's? What about SchH dogs while at club, should we just have a free for all dog fight on our hands?" Stupid stupid. In fact, you are making him much more comfortable by getting him some exercise and pottying during the day than if you just left him in the crate at home. Keep doing what you are doing, but add a digital thermometer that is visible from the back of your truck. This will let all who look that the dog is in a safe temp and help you during the rougher temperature months down there know what the temp is for him. Call the SPCA and run the entire situation by them, and if they'll take your information give it to them and tell them to expect a call about your dog in your truck and invite them to come take a look if they want. If they do not give you any pushback, the next time you see the moron that threatened to call flip them the bird and tell them the dog is in the truck and go ahead and call.

Darnit. Well now you guys have pretty much convinced me to bring one or the other of my guys to work with me every day.

I park in the underground garage here, and it never gets over 75 degrees down there.

How much can a dogs body temp raise the temperature in a crate throughout the day, if the windows of the car are down and the outside temp is 75ish? Do I need a fan?