I was caught speeding (doing 38 in a 30) recently and in order to remove the 3 points, have opted to do the Speeding Aware Course.   It's next Saturday from 9 to 1 or thereabouts.   Thing is it would involve me being away from 7.45 (to get there by the required 8.45 to register) and ditto for the trip back which could mean I'd be away for potentially 5/6 hours.   So whether to take my hounds with me + sig. other (who I don't want to have to leave at home with them, for various reasons), or leave them at home and risk them being ok.    We never normally leave them for much over 4 hours, if that.    I have been told the hounds could be taken into the Golf Club/Hotel bar (re hot weather) but whether my sig. other could handle the both of them without me being right there is doubtful.

I'm favouring leaving them at home, and hoping for the best.

I would leave rhe dogs at home. Can OH come with you so he is not left with the dogs if that is your concern and set thw home up so they are safe etc.

> Can OH come with you

Yep - this is what I planned to do rather than leave him at home with the hounds.   They should be fine left in the kitchen - I pay put a thick towel towards the back door, just in case!!

I agree I would leave them at home. I think u would have.more.worries having them.with u and trying to deal.with.that as well.as attending the course. They would be happier at home too

If you leave them home, I'd maybe get up earlier than usual that day and feed them earlier too - and then let them out to toilet before you go.  It's actually really nice at 5am at the moment - HA HA!  Then you can leave them tired and empty...

Another vote for leaving them at home.  It's hardly as if you do it all the time.  Go with your gut.

So whether to take my hounds with me + sig

I would not take mine with to be left in at all the car for any length of time due it being summer, heat + extra body heat etc.
.

Another for giving them a good run and then leaving them at home. They are free to move about if they get to hot/to cold etc. I am sure they will be fine and you will have peace of mind that they are safe and secure in a place they know well. If you get caught in traffic on the way home, at least you will not have dogs 'cooking' in the car with you and know they are safe (and cool) at home.

I'd leave them.  5/6 hours is not that long, they'll probably be asleep anyway and safer with the heat risk.

Good luck with your course.

Definitely leave them at home..no way take them & leave in car...far too hot...

I would take them for a good 2-3 hours walk and play in the morning before you leave, so that they are really tired not only physically but also mentally (that's why it's a walk and not simply a play in the garden). Then I'd feed them, then quick toilet, and off you go. The dogs will go to sleep for at least 5-6 hours, at which point they'd likely to change position and continue sleeping.

> ..no way take them & leave in car...far too hot...

Was this even suggested?

Is there a local dog walker who can take them out for an hour in the middle. This is what I do.
Louise

Boy I didn't expect so many responses but it seems there's a concensus to leaving them at home.   There was NEVER going to be a question of leaving them in the car ............. I'd made enquiries about the shade in the carpark - there might be, if lucky, and was told we could take them into the bar.

On balance, they'll be staying home.   Oh and we do have a/c in the car btw, for travelling.  I'd imagine being caught in traffic (N. Cornwal coast, west of Launceston) most unlikely even if it is on a Saturday in the holiday season.  

I don't have anybody who can come in (that would probably be more upsetting than just to leave them) and yes, we will be getting up a full hour earlier than normal to feed and empty (them and us!!).

Tks for your input!

monkeyj ...Taking dogs whilst on a driving course, i have assumed that they would be left whilst on the course..
i am not the only one to have thought the same.

> Taking dogs whilst on a driving course, i have assumed that they would be left whilst on the course..<br />i am not the only one to have thought the same.

I'd ONLY do that if I had my sig. other with me - no way would I have them with me and leave them in the car for around 4 hours otherwise!!!

Ok assumed wrong, perhaps i will stop making comments on champdogs.

>Oh and we do have a/c in the car btw, for travelling.  I'd imagine being caught in traffic (N. Cornwal coast, west of Launceston) most unlikely even if it is on a Saturday in the holiday season.

That may be the case MamaBas, but please remember that other people read these threads looking for advice/help. They may not have air conditioning (a/c) in their cars and they may get caught in traffic for any number of reasons. Sometimes stating the obvious may help someone whom MAY not have thought of all scenario's.

Lexy, your thoughts are as valid as anyone else's so please continue to comment