Dog’s Life

[highpeaksdrifter]

Last Wednesday, around 3:00 pm, I saw a lady, probably in her early 60’s, going back to her station wagon to pack up and call it a day. The temp was about 40 degrees. When she opened the back there was a German Shepard laying there. The dog seemed fine, happy to see his owner, and not the least bit stressed. I have no idea how long she skied or how often she visited here dog.

Anyways, I never owned a dog until this past June. He’s a little guy, Mini Snoscher, and could easily hang in the back of my CRV. I just don’t think I’d do it. I don’t think I’d enjoy skiing knowing he was in the car by himself.

Any other dog owners with thoughts on this?

 

[Grassi21]

I don't like leaving our 2 weimaraners in the car. For obvious reasons I would never due to during the summer. But lately I'll do the usual errands (5 minutes here and there) and have the girls along for the ride. As for skiing, I wouldn't due that to the dogs. Besides being concerned about the temp in the car, my girls are about 55 lbs a piece, are high strung, and don't have a ton of room to lounge in the back of our 4Runner.

 

[tjf67]

I have a springer and have been know to leave him in the car while I ski. I feel guilty but I dont think he knows the differance. he would have just been sleeping on the couch.
I solved the problem. I just moved to the hill.
I would not do it when the temps were below 20. This weekend I he would not have any problems. Plus when you get to the car he can get out and play.
I used to bring him the the golf course and tie him to a tree with his blanket and water and he seemd to not mind that either.

 

[cbcbd]

A friend brought up a good point once - if the dog is well behaved, the temps aren't out of control (you can always leave blankets), it's comparable to leaving your dog in a kennel - plus, you can stop by during lunch to play with him.

 

[SnowRider]

We bring our dog along sometimes. It all depends on how far away the ski resort is. If it is far away we take the dog because we dont want to leave her home alone and get hungry if we get home late. We also want to make sure she doesnt give us a welcome home present on the doormat:lol: Im sure its all happened to all dog owners at least once.

 

[woodlandclown]

I think if the temps arent too cold or too hot, and even if its cold out that the sun isnt beating down on the car, its totally cool to leave a dog in the car if they dont mind being in the car. a lot of dogs are always in the car with their owners, so its like a second home to them. plus they get to look around and have different scenery. personally, my dog isnt the greatest in the car. He doesnt like to be left alone, which is why i wouldnt bring him. He is happier at home. if a dog is comfortable in a car and isnt freaking out, it really doens tmake a difference whether he is at home or in car. most dogs spend the day at home in one spot anyway.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

We love dogs ( i had one growing up) but they just dont fit our lifestyle right now...we are never home, always away : skiing, beach house, cape cod....its tough bringing a dog everywhere, others are not always welcoming to the pooch, you have to get home quick after work to let em out....and with 2 kids (4 and 2) thats enough upheaval in the house....might get one later down the road....

 

[MRGisevil]

Depends on the dog, the weather and the environment:

I'm a dog trainer, so this topic hits home to me more than most because of the horror stories I've heard about people leaving their dog in the car, coming back and either the dog being extremely sick from inclimate weather, the car being destroyed, the dog having serious anxiety issues afterwards or someone actually taking the dog from the car.

If you know the weather isn't going to be bad and you check in if it gets too cold, AND if your dog is built for cold weather (Husky, Malamute, even a Lab) then it probably isn't such a big deal. If you're planning on leaving your little Mexican Hairless in the SUV for eight hours, that's a decision I'd reconsider.

If your dog is the happy-go-lucky "I love the car!" type it wouldn't be an issue, but if your dog has any kind of anxiety issues I would warn against it. If your dog isn't at ease in the new environments you're leaving your car at he/she could develop a habit of urinating/defacating to release chemicals in the body that reduce stress. They could also begin self-destructive behavior such as over licking and chewing on themselves, leaving bald spots, sores and rashes. Should a number of people in the parking lot pass your car, that could cause the dog to claw at the inside of the car and bark to get their attention.

If you trust your dog's personality and the weather isn't that bad, go for it. Just don't do it if the dog can't handle the situation or the weather.

 

[wintersyndrome]

My lady trains dogs, and other mammals (Seals, SeaLions, Monkeys---I guess thats why I'm so well behaved as of late), so if we are away we usually have him, the great dane hound mix named "bowser" (who looks like scooby doo but acts like scooby dumb) with us. Or have had the arrangements for the dog taken care of ahead of time.
Being that the temps are not too not I dont see a problem with keeping a dog in the car especially with blankets and some water. You just need to be vigalant about giving the pet the attention heneeds (dogs are needy which is why I prefer cats).

So what do you get when you mix an Agnostic with a dyslexic and an Insommniac?

Someone who stays up all night wondering if there is a Dog.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Someone who stays up all night wondering if there is a Dog.

Grucho Marxs

 

[powers]

Why not bring him skiing?

We have the same issue with our dog, Riley. We take him BC when we can. A good day running the trails and he's out like a light the whole next day. Oh yea, he does lead the life of Riley! ( Picture is the Sherbie this past Saturday )