Question about my yorkie riding in the car

[Sharon_268]

I'm going to the big "Your Dog is Worth it Too" event in New Jersey on Saturday with my yorkie. It's 1 hour and 30 minutes (or more with traffic) from here according to google map directions.

Should I buy a seat harness for Mckenna??? She has never been for a car ride longer than 30 minutes and she always sits in the back seat or the front passenger seat depending on how excited she is. Sometimes she is so excited that she stands up and tries to look out the window for a few minutes. one time she almost fell off the seat because she saw a group of people crossing the street in front of us and she started jumping up and down.

Also, do I have to make rest stops for her to relieve herself even though it won't be any longer than 2 hours? I plan to just drive it straight. I'm used to long car rides.

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by Sharon_268

I'm going to the big "Your Dog is Worth it Too" event in New Jersey on Saturday with my yorkie. It's 1 hour and 30 minutes (or more with traffic) from here according to google map directions.

Should I buy a seat harness for Mckenna??? She has never been for a car ride longer than 30 minutes and she always sits in the back seat or the front passenger seat depending on how excited she is. Sometimes she is so excited that she stands up and tries to look out the window for a few minutes. one time she almost fell off the seat because she saw a group of people crossing the street in front of us and she started jumping up and down.

Also, do I have to make rest stops for her to relieve herself even though it won't be any longer than 2 hours? I plan to just drive it straight. I'm used to long car rides.

A woman traveling through here became a fatality when a little chi jumped into her lap while she was driving. Car seats like the Snoozer car seat are a blessing, though, yours not being used to one might be a problem. Unless yours gets a big drink before leaving, you shouldn't need to stop. Mine have always loved to travel, even though my experience has been that they sleep after awhile and that's the last I ever saw of them unless I stopped the vehicle.

[Sookie]

I'm going to that event also. Can't you just put her in her carrier? Some of them (like my Celltei carrier) have a little thing to put the seat belt through. I would definately contain her. If you have to step on the brakes suddenly for whatever reason she could go flying off the seat and get hurt. And she is, of course, distracting - what little, adorable Yorkie riding in a car with you wouldn't be distracting.

Oh, and don't put her in the front seat beside you if you have airbags. If the airbag deploys she could be injured or killed.

[Bizzymammabee]

Originally Posted by Sharon_268

I'm going to the big "Your Dog is Worth it Too" event in New Jersey on Saturday with my yorkie. It's 1 hour and 30 minutes (or more with traffic) from here according to google map directions.

Should I buy a seat harness for Mckenna??? She has never been for a car ride longer than 30 minutes and she always sits in the back seat or the front passenger seat depending on how excited she is. Sometimes she is so excited that she stands up and tries to look out the window for a few minutes. one time she almost fell off the seat because she saw a group of people crossing the street in front of us and she started jumping up and down.

Also, do I have to make rest stops for her to relieve herself even though it won't be any longer than 2 hours? I plan to just drive it straight. I'm used to long car rides.

I definitely recommend either a car seat or a harness belt. They jump around and god forbid you had to make a short stop she would get hurt.

I recently made a car seat for Lulu...although it was fun it's not as good as I would like or as sturdy so I am going to buy her a snoozer. Better safe than sorry. She loves to go in the car and if I am driving likes to drive too but I know it's dangerous for us both.

[KathyinCali]

I got Lucy the console snoozer and she loves it! I was thinking it was going to be a nightmare to get her to stay in it but she jumps right in, I harness her to the tie and we're off! Best thing I ever bought We feel much safer now and she seems less antsy in the car.

[trini&coco]

I'm a bad Yorkie-Mommy All my fur-babies, when they ride in the car with me ride either on my lap or in the passenger seat. I would love to have a car seat for them but FIVE car seats it would definately be worth their safety...I should look it up but I like at least one to be on my lap while I'm driving.

[Sharon_268]

thanks for all of the responses.

The reason I don't usually keep her in her carrier in the car is because she likes to look out the window some of the time.

I am going to go to Pet Goods today to get a carseat for her. I have today and tomorrow to get her used to it before the long drive!

[Yorkiedaze]

I'm sure the 1 or 2 hr. trip will be just fine for her. If she can't hold herself more than an hr. at a time, then you should stop after that time to potty.
I would get a good harness with padded sternum and fasten her to the seat belt, or put her in a crate, which most dogs prefer and it gives them a sense of comfort.

[Yorkiekids]

I definetly would get some type of safety device. If you feel she needs a potty break then I would definetly stop.

[JPop & Taz 2]

Originally Posted by trini&coco

I'm a bad Yorkie-Mommy All my fur-babies, when they ride in the car with me ride either on my lap or in the passenger seat. I would love to have a car seat for them but FIVE car seats it would definately be worth their safety...I should look it up but I like at least one to be on my lap while I'm driving.

I have 5 babies also. I use the seatbelt harness things for mine. I use couplers so I can attach 2 to 1 seatbelt latch. Gives them some freedom to move, yet restrains them.

[tpaxton23]

All 4 of mine ride well in their carseats. I bought 2 of the oversized lookout car seats and keep 2 dogs in each. They take up the whole back seat in my Tahoe. LOL Oh well, my skin kids are grown anyway. Yours will get used to riding in a carseat really quickly if she can see out the window. Mine love theirs.

[sallen15]

My mom has a doggie carseat that she can buckles around her seat and then she just clips in the dogs collar/harness in and they are set, it works really well, even contains are overzealous 14.5 pound Yorkie Mazie...too bad it doen't control her whining to get to us but nonetheless it's safe. Forget the brand though. Outward Hound maybe.

[lara2913]

I use car harnesses, they give them just enough movement so that they can lie down comfortably and I am reassured that they are safe.

[Felina]

My two always ride in their car seats for safety. I wouldn't risk them being loose in the car, too many things could occur while you're trying to drive. Both their car seats are high enough to see outside and can even take a nap if they want during the drive.

[rach26]

All my dogs wear seatbelt harnesses in the car. Here in the UK it is now law that a dog in a car has to be restrained and cannot be 'loose'. Mine sit on the backseat in their harnesses and they travel well because they can lie down or look out of the window - they have some movement. In fact, mine are so used to them now that I only have to hold the harness up in front of them and they will put their heads and paws through the right bits themselves!!!! Then I just have to fasten them.