Dogs in cars. A question for anyone who may know the answer.

**KATWYN** · 12th June 2004, 09:59

I travel everywhere with my dog in the car. (hes a 4 year
old Weimaraner). I sometimes worry about a cop pulling
me over with Benson (dogs name) in the car with me - he
usually goes nuts if someone suddenly comes up to the
window (and he also doesnt like hats)

My question is.....

Could I get a fine for "having a dangerous dog"
in the vehicle, even though he hasn't actually hurt
anyone (at the time-just barked). Hes not dangerous
(Dog control can vouch for that), even though I can
control him,his bark can be intimidating.

can this happen? would he be regarded as "a weapon" in
the car? can any police/traffic cops in here answer that
question for me? What do I need to do if I am approached
by someone at a random check etc?

Anyone that wants to lecture me or pass judgement on me
about dog ownership,this is not the thread to do it on.
It is for anyone that can answer my question.

**Motu** · 12th June 2004, 13:04

I'm surprised they haven't made dog restaints compulsory for dogs in motor vehicles,they are big things to be floating around free in an accident,or just heavy braking - as for an agro dog if someone comes close to the car - like,are they different from a human,they are under your control.

Sorry for passing judgement,but you said he goes nuts,he's under your control and responsabilty - no one likes being a victim of aggression...cops especially.

**Jackrat** · 12th June 2004, 14:08

Yes it can and does happen.
I get about with three Dogs in my 4x4 a lot.
When they nut off I tell them to be quite and they do.
When a dog barks in a car it is most often a threat response not protective of property as a lot of people asume.If your dog/dogs have respect for you as the boss they will do as they are told.It will probably get to the stage that if you tell your dogs to be quite and they don't you could/will be charged with not being in control of the dog.
If that was to happen then the charge would stick because if it don't shut up then you clearly are not in charge.It's a situation that is practicaly impossible to defend.My own dogs do not walk in front of me unless told to and they do as they are told because they recognise me as the boss.It is pretty much proven that most dog owners today are not fully in charge of their animals because the dogs are really not sure just who is the boss.If a cop was to charge a person with not being in control of their dog the dog owner would not have a leg to stand on in most cases.
People are charged with not being in control and they are also charged with using a dog as a weapon.Any cop that can not approach your car to talk with you would be well within his rights to charge you with useing the dog as a weapon.
Yes it can and does happen.

**Grumpy** · 12th June 2004, 14:12

These days with all the publicity with dangerous dogs and such I'd say you can pretty much count on an over reaction towards your dog. I have to say I'm pretty much pro dog as I've got dogs myself so I can understand your concern.
I'm a big fan of dog restraints in cars, more for the dogs safety than anything else. I once gave one of my dogs a blood nose when he planted himself up against the mesh that I had between the front and back seats.

**Skyryder** · 12th June 2004, 16:24

If you have the dog unrestrained in the front seat and have an accident reguardless if you are in the right or the wrong you may have a problem. The dog could be a 'contributing' factor: either way. When I had the van I use to have the dog (doberman) tied up to the hand rail on the passaanger seat. In those days I use to take him fishing ddown to the Waimak in the evening. Once I got to talking to a policeman (another fisherman) and we got talking about dogs and related matters. One of things he said: in the event of dog barking in a car while the officer is in 'performance of his duties' they have the right to have the dog removed if the officer is unable carry out his duties.

Skyryder

**KATWYN** · 12th June 2004, 18:39

Well that answers my worries-I do have a potential
prob. I do harness him sometimes but not often
enough....does anyone know if a muzzle muffles the
barking?

I went in to buy a muzzle in a pet shop a couple of years ago
and got the lecture that dogs SHOULD NOT be muzzled because
what happens, if they are muzzled is, the first thing they want
to do when you take the muzzle off is bite! so it teaches
aggression she reakoned... and wouldn't sell me one - she sold
me a Kong toy instead

When both hubby and I were stopped one night at a random stop
and we had Benson in the car...there wasn't a peep out of him. its
only with me

**KATWYN** · 12th June 2004, 19:05

Originally Posted by Motu

Sorry for passing judgement,but you said he goes nuts,he's under your control and responsabilty - no one likes being a victim of aggression...cops especially.

Yea I know that is true. He has never harmed anyone
(and i'm not a dick owner thats going to say he never
will- cos dogs are unpredictable and one day
he might)

But for example, this is the sort of dog he is....anyone,
can retrieve a bone or food off him he doesnt growl
(we taught him that since puppyhood)

He's fast asleep somewhere and i've seen a 4 year old
take a running flying leap onto him to give him a cuddle
and he doesnt react. He hears a baby cry (that was lying
in the car-seat in the lounge) - he goes and gives
babies feet a lick. I've seen children wacking him around
his face he just blinks and turns aside from the wacking.

A young child can give him a treat and when the words
"gentle" are said he takes extra care in taking it from their
hands, he seems to do this instinctively with smaller
children without an adult needing to say "gentle".

This is his nature. But the Weimaraners are very alert
watch dogs- and that is where his bark could get me
(or him) in trouble if I don't calm him down in the
car- hubby has full Alpha control-I don't

**Posh Tourer :P** · 12th June 2004, 20:20

Perhaps you need to do a little bit of training at a school to give you the beta control?

**KATWYN** · 12th June 2004, 21:31

Originally Posted by Posh Tourer :P

Perhaps you need to do a little bit of training at a school to give you the beta control?

Did a few months of that hardout. I need a deeper butch voice

Thats the answer in that situation apparently. It's something dog training enforces.

**jrandom** · 12th June 2004, 21:34

Originally Posted by Posh Tourer :P

Perhaps you need to do a little bit of training at a school to give you the beta control?

I hear that the more time you put in, the beta it gets...

**Deano** · 12th June 2004, 21:44

Dogs are cheaper than a car alarm.

Ive been pulled over with my (pitbull x) in the car and all he wants to do is say hello -although it can be intimidating, the cop said is your dog allright, I said yes and the cop ended up having the licking of his life. Slobber that is.

I would suggest getting out of the car to speak with the officer - unless they invoke a section which enables them to search the car - what is the problem?

For christs sake, its a weimariner not a pitbull, rottie or something which is usually associated with a dangerous dog - admittedly, they all have the potential to bite, but so do humans.

I would just get out of the car and forget about the dog.

**dangerous** · 12th June 2004, 23:15

Originally Posted by KATWYN

I travel everywhere with my dog in the car hes a 4 year
old Weimaraner

Awesome stuff Kat, I had a Weimaraner, a bitch and a real bitch she could be I could never stop her from bringing in the washing for me, never mind it ment that I had a never ending supply of rags to clean the bike with.

Anyway I have a 4x4 double cab and she used to ride in the back of that on a chain just long enough to get her nose over the side. Dogs love it even if its pouring down (mad nutters)
Unfortnatly she had a rear emune system failer and she only made it to 2yrs old. I replaced her with a 'red' Dobie a dog that a lot of people consider scary or dangerous, but he was as biger sook as the Weimaraner in fact they were very similer dogs in a lot of ways.

**Jackrat** · 13th June 2004, 09:48

Originally Posted by KATWYN

Well that answers my worries-I do have a potential
prob. I do harness him sometimes but not often
enough....does anyone know if a muzzle muffles the
barking?

I went in to buy a muzzle in a pet shop a couple of years ago
and got the lecture that dogs SHOULD NOT be muzzled because
what happens, if they are muzzled is, the first thing they want
to do when you take the muzzle off is bite! so it teaches
aggression she reakoned... and wouldn't sell me one - she sold
me a Kong toy instead

When both hubby and I were stopped one night at a random stop
and we had Benson in the car...there wasn't a peep out of him. its
only with me

Sounds like you have a pretty nice dog.
If he only does it when your by yourself but not with hubby,he's just looking out for you.
I had a yarn with my Police dog handler mate yesterday after reading your original post,he told me that he'd only have a problem if the driver had a bad attitude and was useing the dog to back it up.
So I don't really think you have a real problem.
As to useing a muzzle,I don't like the things myself,They won't stop a dog from barking,they interfear with both his breathing and tempreture control and in a lot of cases they make the dog feel more insecure.
If he isn't likly to bite anyway then it won't achive anything.
The fact you are concerned puts you way out in front of a lot of owners anyway.
Good on you.

**KATWYN** · 13th June 2004, 14:25

Originally Posted by dangerous

I had a Weimaraner, a bitch
Unfortnatly she had a rear emune system failer and she only made it to 2yrs old. I replaced her with a 'red' Dobie a dog that a lot of people consider scary or dangerous, but he was as biger sook as the Weimaraner in fact they were very similer dogs in a lot of ways.

They are big sooks!

I'm so sorry you lost her at such a young age, they really become
part of the family. Your Dobie sounds neat too.