It is not just outside temperature. Time elapsed also matters. Use this handy chart to figure out when it is safe to leave a dog in the car and when it is not.
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That is illegal in Denver, no matter what time of the year (obviously made for summer, but the law isnât timed just for summer). If someone reports it, they will break you windows to get the dog out and you will get a ticket.
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I should have added-The windows were always down when the dogs were in the car, and never in the sun. Some would tell me that the dogs might be taken; the bark and teeth on the smaller one would deter anyone from coming near the car! 
We had a fancy car seat cover for the back seat so they were not directly on the leather.
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My husband loves to take the dog with him on errands and will leave him in the car when he runs into Home Depot or something. Itâs not usually a long time but I hate when he does this. I think itâs probably anxiety producing for the dog to see the owner leave - and then see all the people/car activity around them. At least our dog might have anxiety over this!
I also worry about the dog getting into something in the car that he shouldnât or barking or even someone managing to steal him!!! H and I have had lots of disagreements over this!
@abasket I understand your worry, and I guess it is dog dependent. As far as HD, I believe most allow dogs in the store, so maybe your husband could take the dog in with him?
My 2 loved to just sit in the car; they never left the backseat; one would sit up and watch what was going on, the other went to sleep. These were 45 and 55lb doodles, so not little guys that someone could grab and run. While doors were locked and child safety locks on the rear doors, it doesnât mean someone couldnât open the door with effort and take them; but again, the smaller one looked scary with his loud bark and teeth showing. I know I wouldnât go near him if I didnât know him while he was barking! 
The only time he didnât bark at strangers was at home as I think he wasnât threatened in his safe space. He was afraid of his own shadow; his bark was out of fear.
I think we only traveled with each dog once. We took the older one with us when my husband had a meeting in Nashville and stayed at the Loews Vanderbilt. They roll out the red carpet for dogs! While hubby was at his meeting, the dog and I wondered the campus and parks. The younger one stayed at a high in hotel in DC where my daughterâs work had a deal as it was around the corner from her office. Again, they provided a dog bed, bowls, bedtime treats, and toys. I wish all hotels were this accommodating.
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We have a barrier that keeps the dogs in the far back of the car.
They love the car. If theyâre around when we open the back of the car, they jump right in even if we donât prompt them to.
God help anyone who steals our two Aussies, ha.
Just wanted to say hi from Snowball2. I guess we both love dogs. 
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Wanted to add another plug for the bringfido website and also calling ahead because on top of the hotel allowing dogs, if they KNOW you have one in advance they can put you in a lower floor room that is easier for taking the dogs out/stairwell opens into a grassy area, that kind of thing. We have a lab who also loves the car, itâs her happy place,
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Or law dependent. Iâm in the ânever leave a dog in the carâ group, even with the windows down, in the shade, with waterâŠnever.
When I was young my grandfather lived with some cousins in a small town and everyone knew him and his car. We went into the grocery store and I asked âdonât we need to lock the car?â He said âthere is a doberman in the back seat. I could leave $100 bills on the front seat and no one would touch them.â I donât even remember why the dog was in the car (it belonged to my cousins and he never took the dog places, so maybe picking up from the vet?) but everyone knew the car AND the dog, and knew not to challenge him.
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