Hey everyone,

I have a question regarding transporting dog's to and from training, trials, etc. Is it frowned upon to drive with a dog in a car rather than a van or SUV? What's the overall feeling of the members of this board about driving around with a GSD in a car, uncrated, as opposed to an SUV or something like that which a crate can fit in?

Just wondering. Thanks.

What a silly question! I'm not making fun of you, but the question was worded in such a way that made me chuckle as I read it.

I drive a Pontiac Grand Am GT 4 door sedan. My dog (a 60 pound pit bull/chow mix) rides in the back seat, unrestrained. I do have one of those net things that separates the front from the back, so that if I have to leave her in the car she cannot get into the front seat, but other than that, she is free to move about as she pleases, and most of the time just stretches out across the back seat while we ride.

My husband drives a Dodge Dakota Sport 4X4 with an extended cab. When we take her in it, she again, rides in the back seat (unless she is wet, like if we go to the lake and let her go swimming, then she is cross tied in the bed of the truck up next to the cab).


I see nothing wrong in taking your dog for a ride in a compact car, sedan, convertible, truck, suv, or even a motorcycle sidecar (of course then I would want the dog to be restrained and wearing doggles, unless the side car had a windshield). To suggest that one method of transportation is better or worse is silly.

It should be up to you what you choose to take your dog for a ride in and whether or not you crate him or use a doggie seatbelt to hold him in place or not. Some people may say that one way is safer than another, but each method of transport can be argued as to how safe it actually is. For example, you choose to crate your dog and get into an accident where another vehicle hits you. Because of where your vehicle was hit, the dog's crate is now broken and pieces of it are impaling the dog. The dog has to be put to sleep because of its injuries. Another example: You choose to use one of those seat belts for dogs and get hit from the side by another vehicle. Because the dog was strapped in, he was directly hit by the other car. Another example: You choose to let your dog ride unrestrained. You are rear ended and your dog is thrown up and out the rear window, suffering severe injuries.

So you see, no matter how you choose to travel with your dog, with every supposed "safety measure," you're taking on risks as well.

LOL! That side car comment made me laugh...

OK, thanks for the input. I feel better now. Just wasn't sure if it was a big issue what vehicle you cart your dog around in. Thanks a lot.

Whew! I'm so glad you didn't think I was making fun of you, because like I said, I wasn't. I think it was just the way the question was worded. I'm glad I gave you a laugh as well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have put crates in cars for a long time. I drive a Subaru Impreza right now. I am sure you are thinking I can just put crates in the back and open the hatch, but this car is not designed like that... it is one of the funny rear hatch styles.

Anyway, I have a 400 in where the back seat is, facing the drivers side passenger door, and a second 2-door folding crate in the rear with a door that opens out of hatch.

You will likely find that you will need a crate at training so that your dog does not destroy your vehicle. Chilling loose in the car while you are at the store is one thing, while there are dogs on the feild doing protection is another.

So anyway, I strongly suggest crating in your vehicle. I used to have a Mazda protege and could assemble a 500 in the back seat. You can not put in or take out one fully assembled, but with a little messing around pushing seats forward you can get top and bottom in and assemble once inside. The doors have never been a problem for clearance.

Some clubs require crating while off the field.

My problem with loose dog in car is the projectile your dog will be in an accident and damage to you and/or your dog; that also goes for unrestrained cargo.

I do not go to shutzhund stuff but for SAR training where the dog may be crated for hours and hours the crate allows me to open all the windows without fear of the dog escaping. I even went so far as to anchor my crate to my tie down points.

I think mine would chew off a doggie seatbelt or eat the seats out of boredom if I left her in the car.

Deanna, I'm assuming you drive the Impreza Wagon (that says Outback Sport on the side of it)? How long have you had it and how do you like it? I have been thinking of trading my car in on one, primarily so I'd have an all wheel drive vehicle and be able to get to work when it snows without making my husband late or getting to work an hour early and not being paid for it, but also for the fact that it has the roof rack that would come in handy when we went camping and/or on vacation, and all the room that it has in the back. I'd love to hear some feedback from someone who drives one and who also takes her dogs with her in it.


On a side note, I'm sitting here at work right now, on a 4-lane highway with sidewalks on either side, and this lady that lives in the apartments across the street just came back from walking her Golden. She wasn't on the sidewalk, and just walked through the business' grass and parking lot across the street from my building (which isn't really the issue), but then she stops in the parking lot directly across the street from me, and approximately 100 feet or so from the apartment building, rolls up the leash, sticks it in the dog's mouth, and lets him trot on ahead of her from there, across the drive for the business whose parking lot she was standing in and also the drive to the apartment building, and around the back of the building to the stairs. GRRRRRRR <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Granted, he went straight to the stairs and all, but what if a car had come down either drive or something? Not to mention the leash law and everything ("but he was on leash, officer. I just didn't have it in my hand!" :rolleyes: )

Yeah, that is the one.

If I had to do it over again and could pick from any Subaru, I would get a Forrester. They have a hatch more like a SUV that opens all the way up, the Impreza has a raised lip like a trunk and that limits what will work crate wise. The Forrester also has more head room without being too tall.

The roof rack is handy. I can get my kayak on and off without too much issue all on my own. With most SUV's it becomes an issue.

Other than that my only complaint is it needs to be detailed. LOL... There are benefits to having a larger vehicle or a truck. The up side is that I can keep the dogs heated in the winter or AC in the summer, though.

Nancy points out a very important issue as well in favor of crating. I can take my dogs on days that someone who needs to leave the windows up would not be able to. A reflective sunscreen and all the windows down with the hatch open is not bad at all for the dogs.

Yes, that was a good point. I do, however, have window "screens" for my car windows so I can leave the windows partially down but not have to worry about people being able to stick their hands/arms into the car or my dog getting out.