Question Somewhat OT- transporting dogs

I got a puppy. I don't have the pet buckle yet because she's still growing. I want to wait until she's big enough for the big one before I get it. Her first vet visit, she was tiny and I put her in a borrowed pet crate on the floor of the car. Her second vet visit she didn't fit in the crate anymore, so I shortened and locked her leash (retractable leash) and buckled the seatbelt through it and locked the belt thinking it'd keep her in place at least. On the way back, she chewed through the leash and got in DS's car seat (he wasn't with me that time). She started chewing on the chest clip, thank goodness it was only a short ride or some real damage could have been done!

I'm new to this dog owning thing, especially her being a puppy, and she keeps surprising me as to the mischief she gets into... lol So I need suggestions on how to transport her without destroying things... I have a large metal crate that I could put in the car, but it would be very difficult to get in there (would have to take it apart to get it into the garage, then move DD's car seat and fold down the 3rd row..) The vet is only about a mile away so it hardly seems worth the effort. How do I get her there without her chewing up the car's interior or the kids' car seats?

How big is she? She doesn't have to be all that big to fit in the "regular" Pet Buckle (I think 20 pounds?).

she's probably close to 20lbs now. She was 14 at her last vet visit. I'm worried that even w/ the pet buckle she will chew stuff. Including, but not limited to, the vehicle seat, the seatbelt, the kid's car seats, and the pet buckle itself.

If you're worried about her chewing while you can't supervise, I'd suggest a basket muzzle for the car. (In addition to the pet buckle, of course.)
My other suggestion is, depending on your car, a crate firmly lashed down in the cargo area. That way you don't need to worry about her chewing anything she shouldn't be!
Is she crate trained at home? (If not, I highly suggest it!)

yes we crate train at home! Thank goodness! lol She's going to be a handful....

mamakc said:

yes we crate train at home! Thank goodness! lol She's going to be a handful....

Click to expand...

Oh, good! What kind of dog is she? I have 2 Labs, so I know the definition of handful!
I prefer traveling with them crated rather than contained in a harness, myself. Less worries about them attempting to roam the car and get into something they shouldn't. I can't currently crate in my sedan, but when I get an SUV I will be crating them during travel.
These crates are expensive, but worth it as they've been crash tested. Plastic crates can shatter, and dogs have been impaled on traditional metal wire crates.

She's a Labradinger (lab & springer spaniel). I think I would rather use a crate in the car, because I'm a stickler about keeping my car clean...lol (I know, shouldn't have had kids or got a dog...) Thanks for the link to those crates, I'll check them out!