Just got a new dog who is now old enough to accompany us on trips into the desert/mountains. How do all of you transport your dogs? In a crate? Just loose in the back? Mac is a border collie/lab and weighs in at about 60 lbs.
Cruising with dog
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My cane corso (as depicted in my avatar) usually just sits on top of whatever is in the back. My wife will make an elaborate bed out of blankets/sleeping bags and the gear for him. I have found that he doesn't like to lay down unless he can see out of the windows. I was hoping a drawer system would remedy this but I just haven't got around to making one this year.
A tied down crate in the back is the best and safest, IMO. Our crates don't fit in back though, so I put a cover on the back seat and they wear torso harnesses which integrate the shoulder seat belt straps: http://amzn.com/B000MD3NOK. When the back seat is occupied by a child car seat, the harnesses work with heavy duty tie down straps on my cargo box in the back.
The animals will obviously propel like unrestrained humans or large cargo in the event of an accident. The last thing you want is a couple hundred pounds of dog hitting you, and/or ejecting from the vehicle.
The animals will obviously propel like unrestrained humans or large cargo in the event of an accident. The last thing you want is a couple hundred pounds of dog hitting you, and/or ejecting from the vehicle.
Ours seem to really like the view from atop the cargo box (except when a motorcycle pulls up behind us at a stop, then it's kill mode). I layered the top of the box with closed cell foam, then carpet, for some additional padding for the dogs. It keeps the moisture off the wood too after trips to the beach.
I have a hitch mounted cage that mine loves.
VtaTom
SILVER Star
You can do a search also. There are several short threads on the topic. "100 series dog barrier" should get you in the ball park.
The solutions seem to range from strapped in crates, installed barriers (custom or adjustable using steel or cargo nets), strapped in dogs (harnesses) or free range.
There is a Mud member or vendor who fabricates a bolt in barrier using brackets mounted to the captured nuts of the 3rd row handles.
For a recent camping trip I improvised a mesh baby gate with some load straps that was offset about 18 inches behind my second row.( I used the 3rd row handles and seat mounts to anchor the straps.) So I carried a couple ice chests in that spot and the dogs couldn't tunnel under the gate. I also strapped in a couple collapsible crates with the top zipped open so they could nest. It was a 9 hour drive in 100+ temps and they rode ok with the rear AC and a few stops.
I'm either going with the custom mounted barrier or a cargo net based system. The bolt in is probably cleaner but I like the fact that a cargo net doesn't add to the potential shrapnel in a bad crash and I could use a seat belt cutter to get through it. Maybe that's an oversimplification but I'll have a car seat in the 2nd row.
The solutions seem to range from strapped in crates, installed barriers (custom or adjustable using steel or cargo nets), strapped in dogs (harnesses) or free range.
There is a Mud member or vendor who fabricates a bolt in barrier using brackets mounted to the captured nuts of the 3rd row handles.
For a recent camping trip I improvised a mesh baby gate with some load straps that was offset about 18 inches behind my second row.( I used the 3rd row handles and seat mounts to anchor the straps.) So I carried a couple ice chests in that spot and the dogs couldn't tunnel under the gate. I also strapped in a couple collapsible crates with the top zipped open so they could nest. It was a 9 hour drive in 100+ temps and they rode ok with the rear AC and a few stops.
I'm either going with the custom mounted barrier or a cargo net based system. The bolt in is probably cleaner but I like the fact that a cargo net doesn't add to the potential shrapnel in a bad crash and I could use a seat belt cutter to get through it. Maybe that's an oversimplification but I'll have a car seat in the 2nd row.
Well if we're doing pictures...
Safest way for your four-legged friend to travel is in the back, in a crate. Get them started this way from the beginning and life is good.
Admittedly, with my first lab, he rode around loose in the back of the 60-series. Current lab grew up riding in the crate from day one. He knows that is his spot and loads up straight into it, no questions asked. He travels a lot and is happy to ride in a crate.
Just think about what would happen to your dog if you are in wreck and how happy you will be he doesn't become a "projectile" in your rig.
Admittedly, with my first lab, he rode around loose in the back of the 60-series. Current lab grew up riding in the crate from day one. He knows that is his spot and loads up straight into it, no questions asked. He travels a lot and is happy to ride in a crate.
Just think about what would happen to your dog if you are in wreck and how happy you will be he doesn't become a "projectile" in your rig.
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Any pics of the crates you are using? Sounds like several of you have a lab type close to the size of Mac. Or should I just drive down to Cabela's and ask them? I'd want the crate to be easily removable so he can sleep outside at night as well as having a place to rest during the day on extended camping trips. I have also thought about getting a harness for the road with a collapsible kennel to set up once we are set up but like the idea of the crate a little more for him to sleep in at night- more protection from the critters and weather. My plans for next summer are to get Blazinbelltech to build me a drawer system to go behind the rear seats. Then a fridge as well, so the crate may be too large to fit with everything. Decisions, decisions, decisions!
Without a doubt, the safest way to transport your dog. If you have it secured, they would more than likely be okay in a roll over as well.
Second best option would be a pet barricade in the rear.
Third, a harness secured in the rear to one of the in floor seat attachments.
I hadn't really put much thought to this but i think i will start securing Roux with option 3.
Custom built area on top of my drawers. He loves it, and knows it is his special place. He runs to it when he gets scared in the mountains (lightening freaks him out) If you think it's small...his other option is home alone in the much bigger living room. He always chooses to come along with us.
My wife did her graduate thesis on traveling with dogs for a dog food company. She insists that the dog harness that straps to the seat belt is the safest way to go (maybe not in a roll over though). Only one company makes on crash test certified. And second best would be a crate strapped down. Personally, I think the dog seat belt is a little weird and would go with the crate.
I'm trying to find a dog now. How old or big do yall think a dog should be before taking him "land cruising," as my wife would say, with you?
5Cruiser said:
This is a neat pic. It is obvious he is content just by the look on his face.
Danny
splitshot
Head cook, Bottle washer, and Peace keeper.
My lab/malamute female prefers to sit in the passenger seat and watches where we are going through the windshield. She is ever alert for livestock and wildlife on the road and has warned me about elk at night before i have seen them.
Mostly, I have her in the back but she stands on the folded rear seat (60 series) with her head between the seats to see out the windshield. She is the ultimate back seat driver.
No question a crate bolted to the floor is far safer.
Mostly, I have her in the back but she stands on the folded rear seat (60 series) with her head between the seats to see out the windshield. She is the ultimate back seat driver.
No question a crate bolted to the floor is far safer.
Have you guys ever used the hammock style cover that would go in the second row? That way they cant slip down to where your feet go and it keeps your seats clean too.
I haven't used one but my neighbor uses one for her full sized poodle. Seems to work well and save the leather from scratches.
