Hi. I am soon to be the proud owner of an 8 week old German shorthaired pointer. My previous gsp was terrible for riding in the car. She always rode in the back of our Focus hatchback. On unfamiliar journeys she would whine and squeak throughout, although always would be sitting still. I don't want to have this scenario with my new pup. I was wondering if any of you had used a fabric dog crate for the car journeys and whether they would alleviate this problem.
Thanks in advance.

Liz

These days, people are quite rightly concerned about protection in case of an accident. Fabric crates offer very little in this respect. A well made metal crate from a reliable manufacturer,  covered with some blankets, might be a more sensible idea. As your pup gets more accustomed to travelling the blankets can be removed.

Another option might be a Varikennel, or other robust airline-approved type of crate, depending on your car.

Mine travel in wire crates in the car - well actually for local trips only my Whippet goes in the crate we keep in there, with my Basset behind her right in the back - her crate is anchored to the back seat rings, with benching chains.   That should keep her crate, and her from flying (she's obviously light), with him (heavy!!) right behind and only able to go as far as her crate.  If we are going on a long trip, I put his big crate in back too.   I can't see a fabric crate being much use to be honest.

I wouldn't use a fabric crate for an 8 week old pup full stop -they can be chewed very quickly by a determined dog, and even vigorous scratching can easily get them opened and/or damaged. They are really only suitable for dogs that are already used to be being caged and not worried by it, and when you are at shows and stay WITH the dog.

It isn't so much down to what you use for car journeys, but training the pup to liking the journeys.  Feed in the car without going anywhere, take very short journeys with a really nice toy or bones to occupy the pup, use the car to go to nice places for walks, don't make the mistake of making the early journeys all about going to the vet. And make it frequent. You can safely go places before pup is even vaccinated. Pop pup in car, drive a short distance, stop and just feed treats, then go home again, several times a week. Many pups are car sick but they do grow out of it, and the more journeys they make, the quicker it tends to happen. Most showdogs that are used to travelling more or less every weekend of the year absolutely LOVE car journeys, they see the car as part of their home and feel safe there.

Hi Yes I did all the preparation that you mentioned for my previous gsp...She was still a nightmare in the car! Only on our regular journeys was she content to just sit and keep quiet! Anywhere different and she whined the whole journey ! I just thought that if this pup was secure and covered over in a fabric crate then things would be different! Maybe it is a GSP thing though! Thank you for your input as always I am open to any suggestions and advice. :)

I would use a metal crate, covered over as suggested, but make sure it is not too big as if the pup slides about inside, they will be anxious, better to start off with a smaller metal cage, and put a nest type bed inside, so they have something to feel secure in.
You can buy wire cages quite cheaply now and when the puppy grows out of it either keep it for you next puppy or stick it on ebay. But much better to have a smaller cage than a tiny pup in a massive full size cage.
Also take the puppy with you in the cage as often as you can on little sort journeys and gradually build the length of journey up.
I talk to mine all the time I am driving, just anything, we are going to stop at the lights, there is a roundabout coming up, I give then a running commentary, anyone would think I had gone mad, but it seems to work and the puppy is reassured as they can here my voice, either that or I talk them to sleep.
My husband does say I could talk a glass eye to sleep !!!

Ha ha...Yes I even use to sing to my old GSP...made her whine even louder...don't know why....!!! I have got a large crate for indoors and a small one for transporting around the house...may try and fit that one into the back of my hatchback... thanks.. all

All dogs are different in this respect, sickness, dribbling, whining, barking, etc are all common but thankfully most grow out of those behaviours.  There's no reason to imagine your GSP puppy will develop the same habits but knowing what you don't want this time around I'd suggest you simply concentrate on training and familiarity.

I do use a crate in the car for puppies - I find it minimises sickness and anxiety.  I use crates for beds at home too and a young puppy always sleeps in one by our bed upstairs with us for the first few weeks.  In this way I'm positively charging the crate experience so that going into their 'bed' in the car feels safe too.  I'd suggest lots of small trips.  Now my children are teenagers with their own transport it's going to be more difficult but prior to this, whenever I've had a puppy, the pup has come on all the pick ups.  In this way we've visited youth group, school, the station and done multiple 30 minute round trips each week. 

I have a fabric crate for older dogs that I use when travelling but I'd always use a metal crate for youngsters.  I like Savic for quality and their 24" crate is a good starter option for pups of your size (and mine as I have WHV) - it has a top opening door which is helpful in the car and beside the bed.  Try eBay for secondhand options as they are always available :)

thank you I've taken all your advice on board. I'll try your ideas and hopefully will get some success. My previous sweetheart GSP lived till she was 12+ years so I think i'll need a refresher course! I already have 2 crates set up ---one is 42" for daytime use in dining room (even though I'll be home all the time!) the other is a 36" which will be set up in my bedroom! Hopefully will eventually get a good night's sleep! Thanks ...

Not a good idea :) as others have said a metal crate would be better, for one it's easier to clean, pretty hard to chew and more importantly it would let the air flow through much easier on a warm day especially if you had ur car windows open. You can clip fans to it if needed and it can be used at shows, and at one show I actually saw a dog get out of a fabric crate and cause havoc.

My oldest dog, now 6.5 years, used to have a terrible time standing up in his crate, panting, and woud keep this up as long as the car was on the motorway, which was distressing to say the least for all concerned. I noticed he was fine curled up on the front seat, but absolutely not safe. I found he was far better when he could see out the window, but he is absolutely fine travelling with my bitch so he has her for company except when she is in season, of course.

I would never use a fabric crate in a car. The whole point of crating them is to offer additional safety, which a fabric crate could never do.