Do you leave your dogs in the car?

[slleipnir]

If you have your dog with you, will you go into a store and leave him/her in the car? If so, how long is the longest you're gone?

I know people who come into my work for a couple hours and leave their dogs in their cars...I may go into a store for like 5 minutes tops...Then again, I won't take them with me if I know I'm going shopping or whatever..

[animal_rescue]

We hardly ever take our dogs anywhere, mainly because we know we'd have to leave them in the car if we do...

[sammy101]

no.Its way to hot here,and i'm afraid of dog-nappings.It doesnt take long for a dog to overheat in a car,even with the windows open.If we take them out,we go somewhere where they can come with us. :)They love car rides

[Alysser]

WHEN IM IN THE CAR WITH HER! I am afriad of Dog nappers and overheating. Sometimes in the winter it gets TO COLD! So no, I don't unless someone is with her.

[CagneyDog]

It rarely gets too hot to have a dog in the car here so we usually bring Cagney. He is usually in there for under an hour but he's been in the car up to 2.5 hours before. He loves car rides.

[BC_MoM]

Rarely.. mostly because of all the dog nappers around here.

[cali]

it depends on the temp. if its to hot we wont, nor if its too cold but if it is in between we will take sometimes Happy or Misty. Happy has waited in the van for a couple of hours before, we never leave Misty for to long just because she gets into trouble, Happy just sits on the front seat or she will curl up in the back which has coated windows so its cooler. we are very very careful about the temps though to ensure they dont overheat or freeze :)

[ParNone]

When the sun's not shining and the temperature's okay, most definitely. I took Oz with me just the other night, when I went to Sears, then to the Grocery Store. I feel a lil' safer at nighttime with him in the car. He stayed alone in the car for less then 30 mins at each stop. If I was gonna be hours shopping, I probably wouldn't take him, but I think he enjoys going on short errands with me.

I can't imagine anybody dognapping him. The level of noise he can make, could wake the dead. Breaking a window to get to him, would trigger quite a ruckus from him, I think. I can just see him drowning out the car alarm.

Par...

[chocolatepuppy]

I rarely take the pups anywhere with me anymore, but I did leave Lacey in my locked truck for about 5 minutes once. I could see her the whole time though. ;)

[RobiLee]

Not very often. Every once in awhile I take one or both of the girls with me when I'm running over to the store real quick but thats about it.

I had a friend that I worked with that always took her little terrier with her everywhere. Even on very hot days! I was so mad when I found this out. She actually thought since she left the windows open some that she was ok. I had to lecture her forever before I felt like I got through to her.

[senorita02]

I live in Detroit, so the weather is only real hot in like July/Aug, i take them with me a lot , the main reason is for protection, i dont leave them unattended in the car though if i know i will be longer than like 5 minutes.
I dont really fear dog nappers with my two, there very well behaved but people are always backing away from my car, like there going to bust through the window LOL

[Miss Z]

Over here, you can get fined for leaving a dog in a car in summer months, even if you leave the window down and have a bowl of water in there, it really isn't enough to keep them cool for long periods of time. Sometimes, we take our neighbour's lancashire heeler, Bonnie, for trips out, and if we ever stop anywhere i stay in the car with her. She's just too hyper and fun too leave alone!!!!:D

[BitsyNaceyDog]

One time we left Nacey in the truck for a couple of minutes while Justin and I ran into the store. We don't usually take the dogs anywhere with us. However Nacey took a training class at PetSmart, which is about an hour from our house. On our way home we needed to stop at a store. Her class was late so when we got out is was dark. It wasn't hot out and with the sun down I wasn't worried about it getting too warm in the truck. Nacey was exhausted from her class and was passed out on the floor of the truck. I ran in, got what I needed, gave it to Justin, and while he got what he needed and paid for everything I went back to the truck. I was back to the truck within a matter of minutes, I was freaking the whole time I was in the store though. That was the only time I ever left any of the dogs alone in the car.

[elizabethann]

I'll leave Fenway in the car only if I can see the car at all times. So if I go out to eat, I have to park my car and sit by the window where I can watch him. If I can't, then I don't eat there. This of course is when it's nice out (not hot - not cold) and I can leave the windows open a crack. He usually will watch for me about 5 minutes and then he goes to sleep in his little cubby.

[ramanth]

Depends on the weather conditions. If it's not too hot or cold, I feel comfortable running a 5 minute errand (ie, into the bank to use an ATM).

For the most part, if I know it's going to take me awhile, I leave her home or go shopping right after work.

[pnance]

Depends on weather and time. If it's not to hot/cold I've left mine in the car while I ran into a store. At most they've been left for 10 minutes. If I know I'm going shopping they don't go, this is only if I've taken them somewhere else and just needed to pick something up on the way home.

[luvofallhorses]

It depends on the weather...we never take them anywhere if it's blazing hot or too cold outside.

[lv4dogs]

I do but only under certain conditions. I will take the dogs with me on errands if it is not too hot or cold out and only if I'm going to be in the store for under 20ish minutes.
If I go somewhere where my dogs can be seen from the store (like a window seat in a dinner or the like) I will still bring them even if I will be a little longer because I would be able to see them.

You'd be surprised at the amount of stores & the such my dogs can go into though. So they come with me more often than a lot of people would think. A few of my friends own stores & allow my dogs inside, a lot of my shopping is done at pet stores & they are welcome there too, my friend who owns her own hair salon allows my dogs there when I go, my dogs are allowed in a few bars too (obviously I only allow them to come when it's not busy and even then I rarely go anyways). Pretty much the only time I have to leave them at home is when I go grocery shopping.

I lock my car & turn on the alarm and if Raustyk is with me I still lock & alarm my car but you would have to be really stupid & have a LOT of guts to mess with my car with her in it... you'll know why before you even get near my car. She is VERY protective of my vehicles.

[Kfamr]

The only times i've left one of my dogs in the car is when Amy and I walked across the street in the canyon, they were still in our site - When Amy & I went into Subway - and I checked on them numerous times - and if someone is in the car with them.

I would NEVER EVER leave them in the car over a 5 minute period. No way, huh uh! I would never want to be left waiting in a car for that long, so there's no way i'd leave my dogs. They are much safer and happier left at home.

I don't think that is right.

[sandragonfly]

never have to! because crayola is my precious service dog, he can go into restaurants, stores, almost anywhere with me.

but if I get or have a 'family' dog, I still wouldn't want depend on weather or time - in case of emergencies! maybe I'm being non-sensly tense leaving them in anywhere (except my home) but I wouldn't want leave them alone, helpless, forgotten for so long in case I'm thrown into hospital. :eek: that would be the worst thing I'll wake up to! :(

[Jessika]

Eww a couple of HOURS?? I would NEVER do that! If I was planning on going to a store for a few hours, my pups stay at home as much as I love them.

But if I'm making a short trip and I'll be in and out, no more than fifteen or twenty minutes, then sure I'll bring 'em. Of course they HAVE to stay in the car because the only store pets are allowed in here is PetCo and Petsmart hehe

[finn's mom]

I've left Finn in the car before. If I just have to run in and out of a store or something, usually less than five minutes. I have, though, left him in the car if I've stopped at a Wendy's for lunch or something...but, I'll only leave him then if I can park near a window and then sit near the same window. but, I've only done that a couple of times. I don't think it's that big of a deal, as long as it's not extreme weather, one way or the other. When I travelled from Texas to South Carolina, he obviously had to stay in the car every time I stopped to get a drink or use the restroom or whatever. And, for daily trips and stuff, I'd rather take him with me and have him wait a couple minutes alone in the car than stay at home alone while I'm gone. It's more fun for both of us if he goes with me. :)

[CagneyDog]

After getting a pm about my reply on this topic I thought I would just clear everything up here. First of all, it is NOT hot out side when we take him so we don’t have to worry about that. People taking dogs out of cars is totally unheard of here, plus the car is locked and we are always parked in a very public place. And he likes it much more than staying at home, he is totally relaxed in there. As I said before, he’s usually in there for 30 mins.

[luvofallhorses]

I agree, Kay. They are much safer and happier at home. :) We rarely take them, though. Like I said, it has to be very cool (not as in REALLY cold) but a nice windy day and it isn't too hot or too cold. :)

[My Peanuts]

The worst I ever did was leave RB Angie in the car when I ran into the seven eleven. I never took my eyes off her. I didn't like the feeling of her being alone and I never did it again.

[CathyBogart]

No. If I'm going to be going to a store they can't come into, I leave them at home.

[Allecto]

Out in public, I generally leave my dog alone in the car for about as long as it takes me to pay at the gas pump outside and get back to the car. He typically only goes if he can come out of the car with me, or if I have someone else to wait with him for a short amount of time while I run in to do a quick errand, or if we don't have to leave the car (he thinks the drive-through is the funnest amusement park ride on earth).

I don't worry about dognapping much, b/c as soon as the excitement of being in the car wears off, he crawls under the back seat and dozes off. Unless something interesting is going on, you wouldn't even realize there was a dog in the car.

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

Only for a few minutes at a time, the longest my dogs ahve ever been left alone was maybe 10mins. I don't like leaving them in the car alone at all so I usually stay with them if my parents decide to stop somewhere for longer than 10mins. That being said, the dogs don't come with us if we plan on stopping somewhere. They're much more comfortable at home.

[k9krazee]

The only ones that usually go for car rides are Jack and Micki, they absolutely love car rides and expect to go everytime I grab my keys :rolleyes: BUT they only go if I'm just running a few errands or something, I would NEVER ever leave them alone in the car more than 10 minutes if I can help it!

OR if we're travelling and staying in hotels and such, then I would much much rather have them staying in the car then alone at the hotel, but thats a completely different situation...

[Roxyluvsme13]

Lily goes On TONS of Car Rides, and we never leave her in the car. We've taken her in K-Mart AND Target before, and there are no NO DOGS ALLOWED signs, so everybody loves her.

[Vette]

Yes. but never alone. one of us always stays with him. so incase it does too hot,, we can allways pick his crate up and walk around the parking lot to get him out of the heat of the car.

[dab_20]

maybe for about 10 mintues tops. but if its cold or hot, i never do.

[lizbud]

I take both Smokey & Maggie with me on routine runs in moderate
weather. Not extreme heat, cold or rain. They both love car rides. :)

[ParNone]

I think we need to keep in mind that we each have different dogs that were raised differently. What may be an unhappy experience for some people's dogs could very well be a joyful one for somebody elses.

From the time mine are puppies they are taken in the car for fun. The only unhappiness comes from the ones who have to stay home, cuz it's not their turn for the car trip.

I remember after Maddie died, Murph was just beside himself about staying home, while Oz and I went off to agility. Since it was at night, I decided to take him with us. You have never seen a happier dog. I'd walk him around for a few when we first got there so he could pee on every tree and bush he could get near. Then I'd pop him in the car near the field. He'd watch us from the window for a couple of minutes then he laid down and snoozed until we got back. Then did a major happy dance as he got all of Oz's leftover hot dog treats.

He was in that car by himself for at least an hour and half, but just try to leave him at home. If you even look like you're going to the car, he'll race ya to the garage. And if there was still doubt, all you'd have to hear was his death wail at being left behind to know he LOVED going.

Anyway, I don't believe in absolute safety. It's not reality. So might as well live life. Something can just as easily happen at home as waiting in the car for you. In fact, probably just riding in the car is the most dangerous thing about a car ride, but I doubt we're all gonna give up taking our dogs places because of that. So mine will happily go along with me and I'm getting major tail wags right now for that decision. :)

Par...

[dab_20]

well put post, Parnone.

[cyber-sibes]

Sometimes I take them with me to run to the store, only if I'm going to be a few minutes. I park way away from everyone, but I make sure they can see me going into the store. I would never leave them in a crowded lot, I'm afraid of dog nappers, too. usually they just lie down or sit with their noses in the window watching for me. Winter's not a problem, but if it's hot I don't leave them in the car at all.

[Cincy'sMom]

Yes, but usually only in short segments...a 5 minute run into a store, when weather permits. The dogs love car rides, and even just going to the corner to pick up a pizza is a thrill for them.

They have been alone in the car for longer periods, at the dog park. After a full day of playing, while we are cleaning up, they are tuckered out and sleep in the car. We are at the shleter house, in full view of the cars, and usually by that time there aren't many people left in the park. Itis just easier to know they are snoozing in the car, the worrying they will see and animal and dash for it.

[K9karen]

Only if it's a quick stop. Never ever in the hot summer unless someone is with me and I leave the AC on. There's a few outside cafes nearby where we can eat outside with Logan. Most provide water (we bring our own). We try to take her everywhere when we can.

[wolf_Q]

Yes but never for long, like if I have Nebo with me and I have to run in and pay for gas or something. Of course I would never leave him there when it's hot outside or anything. He's VERY good in the car, it doesn't stress him out at all, he just goes to sleep. But I'm paranoid about people trying to steal him so I would never leave him alone for long. I've parked the car right outside of a window of a restaurant and sat at a table to eat before, if I can see him the whole time I don't see a problem.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I usually only take my dogs with me if they are going in somewhere (like, going to my mom's house or to the pet store, occasionally when I go through the drive-up window at the bank because they have dog biscuits).
However, if the weather is nice and it is not too sunny I have no problem leaving them in the car for up to 30 minutes. I would never leave them unattended in a hot car, or even on a day that was over 50 degrees F. But, they like being in the car because they like to watch people going by and getting to see new things. Then, when I'm back in the car they like to check out what I bought. :D I just make sure to lock the doors, take off their seat-belts and leashes when I am gone so they don't get tangled and of course have the windows part-way down!

[lv4dogs]

I think we need to keep in mind that we each have different dogs that were raised differently. What may be an unhappy experience for some people's dogs could very well be a joyful one for somebody elses.

From the time mine are puppies they are taken in the car for fun. The only unhappiness comes from the ones who have to stay home, cuz it's not their turn for the car trip.

I remember after Maddie died, Murph was just beside himself about staying home, while Oz and I went off to agility. Since it was at night, I decided to take him with us. You have never seen a happier dog. I'd walk him around for a few when we first got there so he could pee on every tree and bush he could get near. Then I'd pop him in the car near the field. He'd watch us from the window for a couple of minutes then he laid down and snoozed until we got back. Then did a major happy dance as he got all of Oz's leftover hot dog treats.

He was in that car by himself for at least an hour and half, but just try to leave him at home. If you even look like you're going to the car, he'll race ya to the garage. And if there was still doubt, all you'd have to hear was his death wail at being left behind to know he LOVED going.

Anyway, I don't believe in absolute safety. It's not reality. So might as well live life. Something can just as easily happen at home as waiting in the car for you. In fact, probably just riding in the car is the most dangerous thing about a car ride, but I doubt we're all gonna give up taking our dogs places because of that. So mine will happily go along with me and I'm getting major tail wags right now for that decision. :)

Par...


VERY well said! (does a standing ovation for you)

[Toby's my baby]

No, if they come with us somewhere, which is usually only to the vet, or classes, then they only sit in the car for like 5 min. tops, if we have to run into a store to get something, but usually someone stays in the car with them.