Does anyone take their dog when doing "Hardcore" wheeling?

[95ToyCruiser]

As the title states, I bring my dog everywhere, he LOVES going wheeling! As my rig has progressed, and my wheeling style has gotten more aggressive (more off camber, rock gardens, ledges, etc) he has been getting thrown around a bit and usually sits in the passenger foot well when things get crazy...

I refuse to leave him at home and want to design something that would bridge from the front seat to the dash and would be padded all around and fit him snugly so that he will be a little more comfortable...

Has anyone else done any kind of doggy safety cage type thing?

Oh, he's a 4 year old 65lb black lab/german sheppard mix (he's a runt) but he did sustain a dislocated hip (a woman fell on him at the dog park) which he had surgery on (an FHO) about 6 months ago, but he still doesn't have all his muscle back...

Him waiting in the truck ready to go...


Some of the off camber stuff that he looses his footing in the truck...

 

[Hank]

We took our St. Bernards regularly. I wouldn't consider anything in WI to be "aggressive" but they did get tossed a bit. We used to use these: http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/newsshorts/02january/muttslinger.asp

The website is gone though. Not sure if there is a new name. They worked well and once the dogs were used to them they didn't mind at all.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All,

I have a harness that I would put on Josie that I could connect to the seat belt on the passenger's seat in my FJ40 when doing really rough trail obstacles.

For the highway trips she would ride out back, fur flying in the breeze!

Regards,

Alan

 

[95ToyCruiser]

We took our St. Bernards regularly. I wouldn't consider anything in WI to be "aggressive" but they did get tossed a bit. We used to use these: http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/newsshorts/02january/muttslinger.asp

The website is gone though. Not sure if there is a new name. They worked well and once the dogs were used to them they didn't mind at all.

That's pretty interesting... I like the idea, but was looking for a less restrictive was to keep him safe and sound (I don't even put a collar on the guy)... Something that is more a mod to the cruiser than a harness if that makes sense...

Thanks for the idea though, I may have to do something like this in the meantime...

 

[chicago]

We took our St. Bernards regularly. I wouldn't consider anything in WI to be "aggressive" but they did get tossed a bit. We used to use these: http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/newsshorts/02january/muttslinger.asp

The website is gone though. Not sure if there is a new name. They worked well and once the dogs were used to them they didn't mind at all.

I actually really LIKE this idea.
I've been trying to think of a way to keep my mastiff safe for wheeling in my 40.
I took out the pass seat and built a platform for him, but the half doors scare me when off camber and such.
This was a test fit (pic) where you can see why I'd be concerned. A harness like this would be a good option for keeping him put.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi all,

LOL!

I always try to 'wheel with the doors off for better visibility. On one trail run I hit a bump too fast and Josie bounced out of the passenger's seat! But since she was wearing the harness attached to the latched seat belt I was able to reach over with my right arm and haul her back into the rig while still driving!

-Alan

I actually really LIKE this idea.
I've been trying to think of a way to keep my mastiff safe for wheeling in my 40.
I took out the pass seat and built a platform for him, but the half doors scare me when off camber and such.
This was a test fit (pic) where you can see why I'd be concerned. A harness like this would be a good option for keeping him put.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Hi all,

LOL!

I always try to 'wheel with the doors off for better visibility. On one trail run I hit a bump too fast and Josie bounced out of the passenger's seat! But since she was wearing the harness attached to the latched seat belt I was able to reach over with my right arm and haul her back into the rig while still driving!

-Alan

Wrigley is still a baby. As big as Chicago is I cannot imagine him hauling a full grown Mastiff back into the truck one handed while driving.

 

[71-CRUISER]

My dogs first trail ride was when he was ~ 6 weeks old. He has been to every one since. He rides shotgun everywhere. I have tossed him out a couple of times and I hand him off to a spectator if it gets super sketchy.

 

[95ToyCruiser]

I still have a lot of fixing and improving before I take it out next, but will try to prototype some sort of puppy seat for my lil guy.. Will post up my findings when I finally get around to it...

 

[PAToyota]

I'd go for rollbar and other padding to make sure he isn't bumping up against hard items. The other thing to consider is what happens in a worst case scenario like a rollover? The last thing you want is for a dog to be thrown from the vehicle and crushed - same as seatbelts and harnesses for people.

 

[95ToyCruiser]

Exactly... I was thinking of removing the passenger seat and making a sort of frame out of plywood and then padding it with cushions... Something slightly wider and longer than him so he doesn't get thrown side to side...

Maybe even with a net or something on top to prevent him from being ejected in a rollover...

 

[Rambrush]

I was thinking of the nets the nascar teams use to keep them inside. still see out but provides a level of protection.

 

[PAToyota]

The window netting is a good idea.

 

[cruisertom]

I think a combination of padding and an harness would be the best for both of you. If you do rollover(which you will) the dog could not only get hurt/killed but could also be thrown onto you and cause you harm as well. Plus the falling out of the vehicle is not cool and not any fun for anyone else with you. (you quickly go from a "dog lover" to an irresponsible dog owner) I understand not wanting to restrain the dog because I never had mine on a leash either. And left them at home a lot. But think of it like a small child, they don't want their seat belts on or have to stay seated, but you make them do it because the possibility of them getting seriously hurt is not an option. The dog will get used to it and will probably like the support especially with the weak hip.

 

[Isotel]

on the harder trails, I always had him out of the truck, and taught him to stay out in front of the trucks, and up out of the way, normally he would go find a tree to chill under out of harms way.

a friend of mine had his dog in the passenger seat, when he flopped on the passenger side, dogs instincts told him to jump out, and the truck landed on top of him, luckily he was down in a little pocket where he was ok.

 

[Corbet]

It may look cruel but in an open topped 40 or buggy I'd bolt down some sort of crate or build something similar. Rolling on your dog would suck. Mine rides in the cargo area behind a barrier. Thus my product line. My rig is my DD so I may not be "hardcore" but I wheel it pretty hard all while keeping it in one piece, most of the time.

 

[darwink1]

Over the years Ive had my boxer/shepherd mix wheeling with me 99% of the time without incident. I had always had her in the truck with me until one day when I got a little stupid on the skinny in some rocks she freaked out and jumped out of the ps window of the 60. A buddy of mine was spectating and managed to catch her but since then I let her out in the tech sections of trail.

She has also been mountain biking and xc skiing since she was a pup so I just use the same commands when we are out in the truck. I say "gogogo" and she jogs further down the trail, if I say move she moves to the side of the trail and lets me pass. The ppl I wheel with know to watch for her since shes been a permanent fixture on the trail for a good long while and they are awesome when it comes to keeping an eye on her.

That being said, shes older now (9) and she recently had knee surgery (tore both cruciate ligs and patella). Shes only been wheeling once this summer and did pretty good but I cant see her coming out too much longer unless I figure out how to keep her from getting thrown around the truck. I did remove the bench part of the rear seat and left the back rest in place, I throw her mattress on the floor so she has a nice flat surface to spread out on. Ive also tied a leash to the cargo area tie downs which keeps her away from the front windows which are usually all the way down. This set up seems to work pretty good but she still has to walk when the trail gets tougher.

The fourty will hopefully be on the road next summer so thats gonna be another challenge with the open top and half doors.... Ive been thinking of using a combination of padding and a harness but havent gotten that far yet.

D