I do not know about window shades, but I am wondering about the CR-V having no air flow in the back seat? I am wanting to get one have not looked at one yet~~are you saying there is no AC in the back or that the windows do not open??

If you're comfortable temp-wise in the car, the dog is too. I wouldn't worry about window shades.

On the other hand, the biggest risk for dogs in cars is sudden stops that can turn them into projectiles into the windshield or seat backs. The best thing to do for the dog's safety is to get a harness that connects to the seat belt or latch systems. These are sold everywhere, the pet specialty chains and others.

Or, keep the dog laying on the floor and not the back seat. This is harder to do, a safety harness is easier.

If there really is no air circulation into the back area of the car, do a Google for "window fan for car" and you will have a variety of choices, from solar powered to plug ins. Pricing ranges from $10.00 to around $60.

And please, only leave the dog in the car when temps are very cool and you can park in the shade with windows cracked open. I am sure you know that cars in the sun can heat very fast to over 100 degrees in 10 minutes. Try to do potty, water and play breaks every 2 hours. I freeze a bottle half full of water and top it off when we leave, so it melts slowly.

If pooch is not used to car rides, tummy trouble could become an issue, so if DD can, take some rides this week to test and get the dog used to the motion.

The best way to travel is to have the dog in a crate. Safe and sound, it cannot dash out of the car and get loose/lost. If the crate is not an option, keep the leash on the dog and grab that before you open the door.

Have a safe and fun trip!

Make sure that the phone number on the dog's tags have one of your cell phone numbers on it. That way if the dog does get lost, the person who finds him will be able to contact you immediately.

In some of the dog catalogs that I've seen, there is a product that cools. It's some kind of a mat for hot dogs to lay on. I imagine it requires plugging in, though. Maybe you could make something out of the towel with pockets on it and you could put those little freezer packs in the pockets so the dog would have something cool to lay down on.

I second the crate idea. When we moved up here last summer of course we brought the cats. Molly was carrying the cats in her car when she rear-ended me. Even though she wasn't going fast the cats and the crates all took a tumble. Thankfully none of the cats were hurt, but had they not been in their crates they could have have been seriously hurt flying through air.

What are your plans for the dog when you stop to eat? The dog can't be left alone in the car.I have driven the I-5 corridor many times in July and it can be very hot the whole trip. Can't she board the dog?

Not everyone owns crates, and it can be hard to secure a crate in a car. The crate we have for our big dog, used sparingly, wouldn't fit in the back seat of the car anyway. For a smaller dog, it might be more feasible to secure it.

I'd never transport a dog in a crate. A sudden stop or impact can impart the same injury to an unsecured dog in a crate as hitting something within the car. The harnesses work like seat belts and are equally effective.

To each his own.

Yogalady, Yes, the windows open but on the freeway, I don't intend to do so. :) The crv is a pretty small suv, so it's not expected to have airflow in the back as a van or large suv would. I think we can angle the vents in the front to hit the back-middle, but the seats are in the way for the sides.

Snidely--I'll get him a harness. I think it would be too warm to leave him in a crate.

Pkramer--I did a search for small batter-powered fans and may try that as well. Believe me, we would NEVER leave Charlie in the car unless one of us is in there! We'll be taking all our food with so no restaurant stops of course, and just taking him into the (rest stop) restrooms with us. We will have plenty of water. Good idea about freezing water. He seems to travel pretty well in the car without any appearance of tummy troubles. I'll take a roll of paper towels, just in case!

Flammy--Yes, he has my dd's cell number on his collar. I have looked into the cooling mats as well--still thinking about it. The problem with those flexible freezer packs for under the towel/blanket is that they don't stay cool for long. But maybe they will serve through the worst heat (Redding.)

Orchid--Glad your kitties and daughter were okay! Again, I think a crate will be too hot. :(

Linda--DD wants my mom to meet the dog--Mom loves dogs. Not to worry, we won't be stopping at any restaurants. Where we go, he goes.

I'm still wondering about the shades; can a driver see through them ok? Thanks everyone, for the advice!

I think the shades obstruct vision, not entirely, but some. I don't know how big your dog is, but my friend who just relocated use a seat similar to this that goes between the two front seats.

Here is a link that might be useful: Car Seat

Sorry for my ignorance how long a car trip is this? Having your dog secured in most areas is the law. They are not to be moving freely in the vehicle where they can cause distractions or physical impairment. Years ago my mom's shitzu who was lying on the passenger seat one second then on my arm steering the car the next which turned us into the oncoming lane, thankfully no traffic. A safety harness would be my choice as you can see the dog easily and they have been designed to keep your pet safe in an accident. Creates they can still be tossed around and some you can not see if they are ok or not. Some dogs will freak out in a create as well. There is no safe way to leave a dog in a car alone EVER! Some folks have come back to their car to find the windows busted or the cops waiting DO NOT risk it!!! Most auto places will have a temporary tint you can apply to the windows and it will help reduce direct sunlight and keep things a little cooler. Most dogs who are not accustomed to traveling will not drink when in a car and often not even when you stop for pee breaks they are more interested in sniffing. So if this is a long trip you may need to investigate cooling solutions, remember they cool through their pads of their feet and panting, much less effective then us, and if they are stressed it will be harder on them. Please don't get me wrong I think traveling with pets is great, if done right. Good luck!

Is it a law that a dog must be secured? Where?

We had to travel a long distance in summer from Oklahoma to the Dallas area. One thing I did that really helped was take along a spray bottle of water. And I would mist them down when we got out at rest areas and we made plenty stops for exercise and water etc. Misting them down cooled them down immediately and lasted till the next break. They actually enjoyed it. I didn't drench them just a good misting and I did their feet too.
You can take a small insulated bag or ice chest to keep your supply of the blue ice bags or blocks frozen so you have plenty for the whole trip. Just be sure to have a good thick blanket or towels between them and the dog.

If this is a vehicle that has air conditioning that works I don't think you will have a big problem, adjust the vents to the back, animals are accustomed to variables in temperature that slight.

We now have a very small toy breed, she travels with us any time we go rv-ing. We have a fabric kennel that has screen on all sides for full ventilation and vision. It has tie downs that attach to the seat belts so it stays rock solid in place. Inside there's a padded bed of that shearling sheepskin so she is very comfortable and protected. She loves it. She is a terrific traveler. She is never left in the vehicle alone. She has the entire back seat of the truck, her kennel fits in perfectly. When we are at home her kennel is left with all the screens opened up so she can go in and out at will.
It's very similar to this one but not exactly. We got a size bigger than she is so she has room to move around freely.

You can find these at the Big pet stores and Walmart in various quality. I highly recommend them, they are not hot since they are basically all screen and are safely strapped in to the seat belts.

I always have a small bottle of pepto bismal and a little syringe, no needle, if she gets nauseated I use the syringe to squirt a small dose down her throat, it works wonderfully. I recommend having it on hand.. In case of the runs I always have a small jar of either baby food pumpkin, or a container of canned pumpkin, I use a small spoon or a baby medicine dropper thing, it has a squeeze bulb on one of end and the tube to suck it up in. I give her a few baby spoon bites of the pumpkin and it takes care of the problem immediately. Like a wonder drug. I never leave on a trip with out it because being in a new environment usually affects their tummies. I have been getting an organic baby food that is pumpkin and apple, she doesn't hate it lol. It can also be mixed up in the food.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kennel

Izzi was not used to riding in a car when we got her and she would vomit every time on short trips. The vet recommended motion sickness pills. I don't remember the dosage but it was small for her. She does not need them now.

Sue

I must re-emphasize, the dog will NEVER be left in the car alone. This is a 10-11-hour trip with minimal stops, but we're figuring on closer to 12-13 with lots of stops.

Fun--that's pretty darned cute. Wish he would stay in such a thing but knowing him, it's doubtful.

Raven, what a lot of great ideas you have! Thanks for telling me as I will use them.

These look like pretty good shades, I saw them at Amazon too.

You are welcome, I have had lots of experience! I must say it is easier with a tiny dog, but we took many trips with our Great Danes too. They always got lots of attention and compliments when we took rest stops.

What size is your dog? And have a wonderful trip!

Here is a link that might be useful: Shades

We travel with our little dog. He loves to ride. I keep a cup of ice water in the cup holder for him. We eat at places like McDonald's or Sonic so one adult can go in with the kids and order. The other stays outside and walks the dog. Then we switch places. At Sonic, we sit with him at our outdoor table. We've never been told no. We keep him on a leash and he is well behaved. Wherever we go, I just order him a glass of ice water to go so he has fresh water. I feed and potty him every time we stop. I keep the poo bags on his leash for clean up.

Our dog isn't in the car by himself in hot weather I don't worry about sun shades.

My dog likes to sleep in his kennel. It's like his own room. We take it with us when we travel. It comforts him when we need to leave for a while. We've found if we put a small blanket from home over the top and one inside, he relaxes a bit more.

I have a CR-V and there is plenty of air flow in the back... just point the two middle vents straight and push them up, the air will go up and straight to the back. I am always freezing to death if I ride in the back seat.

Our dog traveled with us fairly frequently over the course of his 17 years. We would often handle eating or other stops like adellabedella describes: One person stays with the dog in the car, the other goes to get the food.

However on a few instances, such as when I was traveling alone with him, and absolutely _had_ to leave him in the car for a few minutes, the solution I came up with was to first run the air conditioner full blast until the car was as cold as possible, park in the shade, leave the car running and the air conditioner on, lock the car, and take the beeper opener thing with me. I would not recommend this as standard operating procedure, and if you contemplate this method _make sure_ the beeper opener thing will work while the car is running before trying it.

A better solution that I used frequently (such as when stopping at Lowe's on the way home from his agility class) was to put a small dog bed in the shopping cart, and take him into the store with me.

Thank you everyone, for your thoughtful suggestions. Raven, I'll go look at that shade today.

I have a 2010 CR-V, and I know there is plenty of cool air circulation in the back seat when the air conditioning is on and slanted up. There should be no problem.

Will do. Hope I'm willing to share. :)

The dog needs to be cooled and that means then putting windows down if its hot back there, I see too many dogs just in riding in their cars around town panting like crazy.

Crates they will fry in them in the hot temperatures.

You know that means you can't stop at restuarants and leave the dog in the hot vehicle.

Bring water and make sure pit stops so it can go and get out if you can park in shade and let it roam leashed of course and not on hot pavement either.

You will have to figure out how to keep her dog cool during how long a trip/

Lots of neat ideas (and warnings) here so will just add that once you have left Southern Oregon you will be delighted with our many and beautiful rest areas. Shady trees, pet walk areas and picnic tables as well as nice restroom facilities.

It makes me so ashamed that Medford has none.... taken out 18 long years ago and there is talk about putting one at the bottom of the Siskious....Exit 12.. someday. But even there is not a great place for one (IMO). The two off ramps in Medford are not even 'easy' offs to the many fast food places or to our many beautiful and well cared for parks. (Major, major pet peeve of mine !)

We are having hot, hot weather for a few days, so I hope you will miss this week and have a wonderful trip.

If you think you need to take a break in Medford , however, take Exit 27 you will see Walmart, Harry & David. Highway 99 is a block further at the interchange(also an entrance to Walmart on 99) then the Armory and a nice Veterans Park next to a Motel and another block on 99 is McD and others . HIway 99 continues thru the old part of town(not vibrant, but safe and interesting) and will get you to the interchange to get back on the I 5.

You are getting good advice. It is much easier traveling with two people because you can take turns staying with (and walking) the dog at stops. It is also easier to spot the dog walking area (be it just a nearby field or grassy out if the way spot or a designated area) first and let the first walker and the dog out there then the other can fill the tank and take care of her business. Then trade off the dog duties while the other goes in. Avoid the dog walking across long expanses of hot asphalt.

Use the child locks for the windows with the dog in the car -- they can accidentally roll down the window. Also be careful when you roll the windows up -- you don't want to catch a snout or neck.

Train the air from the front to the back and even consider taking a light jacket for you and your DD so you won't freeze if you can crank the air on high for the pup. My DH and Huskyboy live the car really cool (cold) and I always need a light jacket and sometimes even a throw or towel over my lap if I have on shorts.

For a 12 hour trip, you might want to just pack a picnic lunch to eat at a picnic area rest stop. You'll all enjoy the short break.

Plenty of water and ice, with maybe a few special treats and the pup will be fine. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the advice, Nanny! We've made the trip more times than I can count and have stayed several time in Ashland or Medford when our kids were younger. Yes, the area needs a rest stop! I have a friend in Grants Pass whom we may stop to see, if that is a good time to take a break.

Charlie plunks down on the seat and pretty much stays down; no head out the window and he doesn't even seem interested in looking out.

Kathleen, I'm guessing you didn't read any of the responses.

Mojomom, I do have concerns about hot asphalt and will be sure he doesn't have to walk on it. (He's a small Havanese mix.)