Quote Originally Posted by Riptide
I never really thought much of it until now, actually. But most of the dogs in owners' laps are the small ones, Bichons, toys, dogs like that, so I'm not sure if they'd even be able to move the shift if they tried, lol.
Oh yeah they can... and do. I have seen many a lapper swerve while their loved pooch shifted position or temporarily blocked their vision. It is just plain ol' common sense that this cannot be safe.

Bob wanted to do this and was persistent about it. I had to leave him "on" his leash and tie it to the passenger arm rest area with just enough lead so that he "could not" reach me in the driver's seat. I did this until he eventually stopped trying. Now he is well behaved and sits over on the passenger side.

IMO, it is simply not a good idea to have your pooch on your lap while you are driving and drinking a coke, smoking a cigarette while talking to your friend on your cell phone!!!!