Daydreamer Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Hi We're getting a Rhodesian Ridgeback pup and pick her up from the airport in about 4wks time . I plan on crate training so will be getting a wire crate (xl) for at home but wondered if a soft crate will be ok in the car? The drive from the airport is about half an hour and the crate will also be used for general car travel once she's with us. Is a crate a better option than a harness? Never used either for our current dog so any advice appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 When I brought my pup home from the airport I used a crate (wire) and it was great as he stunk big time and no-one wanted to hold him. He continued using the crate until he outgrew it and then he went on to a harness as I can't get a crate big enough for him in the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Just tried driving around in the car with my pup and I used a harness thingy. It sort of worked and I think that was due to me having some liver treats. I think a dog should get used to driving around in the car and great to start young. As for the first ride home a crate will work best or someone to hold pup and that way the driver wont be distracted while pup will feel better being held on the way home. Have fun and enjoy the week or 2 of sleepless nights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serket Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 For a dog the size of a ridgeback, I'm not sure the appropriate sized crate would fit in the car? Depends on the car you have of course. I just use a harness for my dog, there's no way her crate would fit in the car - soft crate or wire crate unless I put the seats down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 I would use a crate for the puppy's trip home - easier to clean up accidents and it can take a while for them to get used to a harness and not tangle themselves up. With a Ridgeback it is unlikely you will be able to fit a crate in your car unless it is a station wagon or similar with a big back, so I would use a harness when she is bigger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pebbles Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 If at all possible size wise then I totally recommend a crate. I've used them for years but I've always had a van type vehicle so size wasn't an issue. The dog/s travel safely and all mine have loved their crate travel, been a lot of miles, took 3 from Victoria to Darwin and that trip really sealed my faith in crates. Fairly warm day, miles from anywhere and naturally I get a flat. I was able to put the dogs out under a tree safely in their crates while I changed the wheel which took me quite a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 We use crates from the first day in the car, through to adulthood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydreamer Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 Thanks for all the replies, I'd better get out and measure my car to see if the one we're getting will fit in If not she'll have plenty of willing passengers to cuddle her on the way home - hope she doesn't stink too much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixie_meg Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 we're finding a Petbuckle travel harness to be really good for our big pup. There was no way his adult sized crate would fit in the car. With the harness he pretty much just lies down and sleeps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Crates always for my dogs, i think it is the safest way for them to travel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Wouldn't he come in a crate in the plane? Everyone I know that picked up their pup from the airport came in a crate. In fact the crate I use in my hatchback for Tilba is the one my cousin gave me that her lab pup travelled in. If you have a station wagon the best idea is to get a pet barrier at the back of the back seats. When I used a harness on April she got all tangled up & I had to take it off. I used to use 2 of those straps that go into the car's seat belt connector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydreamer Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 i think the crate that she flies in is only for the trip and they keep them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 i think the crate that she flies in is only for the trip and they keep them? Yes, I think that's usually the case if they're coming with a transport company. You might be able to borrow a smaller crate from someone for the time being - given that you won't need the smaller one for long. Mine (BCs) travel in wire crates in the car - but that was a station wagon and now a small/medium SUV. I like the crates for a whole variety of reasons - easy to pack stuff in, dogs away from even wide-open windows etc. etc. - and that was a good thought about being able to provide safe shade when needed. I've done the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Mine came in a hire crate on the plane too. I crate her in the car when we drive so she gets used to it and leave her in there at training, don't trust her not to eat the seat belts etc I also take her for drives wearing the harness occasionally so that she gets used to both methods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Fox Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 We had a 3 hour drive to bring Kei home. I sat in the back seat and held him on my lap in a blanket. He slept the entire way. I think he felt safe and comfortable being held We collected him from the breeders house though so knew he would be clean and toileted before we left. Could you bring a thermos with some warm water and a towel to the airport with you? Then if she has dirtied in her crate and smells you can give her a quick wipe down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daydreamer Posted November 17, 2009 Author Share Posted November 17, 2009 We had a 3 hour drive to bring Kei home. I sat in the back seat and held him on my lap in a blanket. He slept the entire way. I think he felt safe and comfortable being held We collected him from the breeders house though so knew he would be clean and toileted before we left. Could you bring a thermos with some warm water and a towel to the airport with you? Then if she has dirtied in her crate and smells you can give her a quick wipe down Thats a good idea.......thanks Obviously she's going to be the perfect pup and will be spotless when we collect her so probably won't need it but better to be safe than sorry Thanks to everyone for their ideas and top tips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odin-Genie Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 We had a 3 hour drive to bring Kei home. I sat in the back seat and held him on my lap in a blanket. He slept the entire way. I think he felt safe and comfortable being held We collected him from the breeders house though so knew he would be clean and toileted before we left. Could you bring a thermos with some warm water and a towel to the airport with you? Then if she has dirtied in her crate and smells you can give her a quick wipe down Thats a good idea.......thanks Obviously she's going to be the perfect pup and will be spotless when we collect her so probably won't need it but better to be safe than sorry Thanks to everyone for their ideas and top tips When I brought my dogs home as puppies, I put them on my lap on a towel. But after that, I always used a harness. They sit on the back seat of the car wearing their harnesses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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