Best way to bring your dogs?

[Gregory Youngblood]

This may seems a bit strange in the Rig section, but my question is specific to the vehicle portion of the trip, so it seems a good fit.

I have two medium-large size dogs that are about 11 months old now. They are rescues that I've had for about 4 to 6 months now maybe? I haven't had dogs since I was a kid, and I've never had larger dogs like these.

I'm planning on taking them with me on some trips later this summer, starting with some shorter trips fairly soon.

I have a 2013 (5th gen) Ford Explorer. It's not a small vehicle, but it's not a full size one either. I'm still streamlining the gear I bring, and I'm getting better at optimizing what I bring (I'm not leaving more than I'm taking, so hey, progress!). It's fine without the dogs, but now I'm wanting to bring them and get them used to traveling.

If I use their kennel, it takes up the entire back of the vehicle, and that's the small one that just barely has enough space for both of them, useful to go to vet and such. The larger one is the one they sleep in at night, and for longer trips probably should be the one I use. Needless to say, with the kennel the storage bins don't fit.

So - for those with SUVs, or pickups where the dogs ride inside, what are some useful tips and tricks to make the interior more suitable for our 4 legged friends? What about safety? Do you use harnesses attached to the seat belt or let them stay free? If free, do you let them have full run of the vehicle, or keep them in a specific section of the vehicle, and how do you keep them there? Finally, how do you protect the interior from their claws, or car sickness or other accidents?

I look forward to reading the advice and suggestions from others that have more experience traveling with their dogs.

Thanks

 

[Steve]

Here are some ideas from similar previous threads. Some may not pertain too your question, but may give you some ideas.
Overland Dog Equipment
Dogs out on the road?
It's a dogs life!
Interior liner for dogs?
Camping with 2 big dogs

And, of course our own pets: Overland Hound

 

[Gregory Youngblood]

Here are some ideas from similar previous threads. Some may not pertain too your question, but may give you some ideas.
Overland Dog Equipment
Dogs out on the road?
It's a dogs life!
Interior liner for dogs?
Camping with 2 big dogs

And, of course our own pets: Overland Hound

Overland Hound - Nice.

And thanks. I'll read through them.

 

[Gregory Youngblood]

Here are some ideas from similar previous threads. Some may not pertain too your question, but may give you some ideas.
Overland Dog Equipment
Dogs out on the road?
It's a dogs life!
Interior liner for dogs?
Camping with 2 big dogs

And, of course our own pets: Overland Hound

The funny things is I searched for "dog" before I posted and got 0 results. Probably user error, must have had something checked that shouldn't have been (or vice versa). :)

Lots of interesting tidbits in those threads.

 

[Steve]

The funny things is I searched for "dog" before I posted and got 0 results.

No problem. Our search is weird. It will not search for short common words. It just returns zero, and notes it is too short or too common. Thanks a lot... What I usually do is check the box to only search the title, and sometime that helps. Even worse, it doesn't return results for anything more or less than what you enter. So if you entered "truck" it wouldn't find "trucks"

In this case, I searched for "dogs" in title only. I've learned how to get by the quirks, but it can be quite frustrating.

 

[Gregory Youngblood]

No problem. Our search is weird. It will not search for short common words. It just returns zero, and notes it is too short or too common. Thanks a lot... What I usually do is check the box to only search the title, and sometime that helps. Even worse, it doesn't return results for anything more or less than what you enter. So if you entered "truck" it wouldn't find "trucks"

In this case, I searched for "dogs" in title only. I've learned how to get by the quirks, but it can be quite frustrating.

Fascinating. I'm used to searches backed by an engine that automatically includes plurals and common variations, so I had expected dog to return search results for dog. Learn something new every day :)

 

[Kris022]

I put the rear seats down on my 4Runner. I have one German shepherd and one Dutch shepherd. It does get tight with gear stowed back there, but they have enough moving room. I'll be getting a roof rack later on to put my gear on top. As far as protection, check out www.cargoliner.com It should help with protecting your car. Good luck.

 

[Gregory Youngblood]

I put the rear seats down on my 4Runner. I have one German shepherd and one Dutch shepherd. It does get tight with gear stowed back there, but they have enough moving room. I'll be getting a roof rack later on to put my gear on top. As far as protection, check out www.cargoliner.com It should help with protecting your car. Good luck.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[Lindenwood]

I wanted a sleeping platform / storage area, but also needed to have room for my two dogs in the back (75lb lab mix and 60lb doberman mix). I measured the standing height of my larger dog's head, added a couple inches, and made the surface low enough to accommodate that. If it wasnt obvious, the top flips forward over the rear seats when they are folded down. I still havent built drawers, but I am expecting to do that soon. I keep the factory carpet over the top to protect their paws.

I dont wheel particularly hard with them in there; if it is rough enough to really jostle them, I just let them out to run alongside. But, so far I am pretty happy with this!

 

[Gregory Youngblood]

I wanted a sleeping platform / storage area, but also needed to have room for my two dogs in the back (75lb lab mix and 60lb doberman mix). I measured the standing height of my larger dog's head, added a couple inches, and made the surface low enough to accommodate that. If it wasnt obvious, the top flips forward over the rear seats when they are folded down. I still havent built drawers, but I am expecting to do that soon. I keep the factory carpet over the top to protect their paws.

I dont wheel particularly hard with them in there; if it is rough enough to really jostle them, I just let them out to run alongside. But, so far I am pretty happy with this!

That's a good idea. Maximize use of space and still gives you a good place for the dogs. I like how you measured their height and built it around them.

Thanks.

 

[OutThere16]

I dont have a lot of space in my two door wrangler so whenever I have my dog (6O lbs pitty) I buckle her in the front seat using a harness that attaches to the seat belt via a large climbing grade carabiner. It helps to keep her put but will also lower the chance of her flying off the seat in case of major braking. I've read too many stories related to humans/animals not being buckled so I won't ever drive without either secure. In regards to protecting your vehicle you can buy several different seat covers that specific for animals if you plan to use your seat/bench. I previously used one of these when I had a backseat in my wrangler and I found they are easily cleaned and removed.

 

[Gregory Youngblood]

I dont have a lot of space in my two door wrangler so whenever I have my dog (6O lbs pitty) I buckle her in the front seat using a harness that attaches to the seat belt via a large climbing grade carabiner. It helps to keep her put but will also lower the chance of her flying off the seat in case of major braking. I've read too many stories related to humans/animals not being buckled so I won't ever drive without either secure. In regards to protecting your vehicle you can buy several different seat covers that specific for animals if you plan to use your seat/bench. I previously used one of these when I had a backseat in my wrangler and I found they are easily cleaned and removed.

Thanks for the suggestions. Especially on the harness. That's what I've been thinking about as well, using a harness for security while driving.

 

[Lindenwood]

I also used to do that with my larger dog (back when it was just him and myself...gosh like 7 years ago hah): hook his harness to the front seatbelt with a carabiner.

But, like I said, these days I just let them out to run whem the going gets rough, because it is likely I am going pretty slow at that point amyways. Though, I dont do anything special for normal trips around town, as far as securing them in place. Perhapd I should, but I don't.

 

[HIGH Maintenance]

I dont have a lot of space in my two door wrangler so whenever I have my dog (6O lbs pitty) I buckle her in the front seat using a harness that attaches to the seat belt via a large climbing grade carabiner. It helps to keep her put but will also lower the chance of her flying off the seat in case of major braking. I've read too many stories related to humans/animals not being buckled so I won't ever drive without either secure. In regards to protecting your vehicle you can buy several different seat covers that specific for animals if you plan to use your seat/bench. I previously used one of these when I had a backseat in my wrangler and I found they are easily cleaned and removed.

Good info OutThere.

There are also some companies such as Kurgo that even sell safety restraints that have been crash tested.

When I lived in Texas some cities passed laws requiring pets to have safety restraints.

These restraint laws were passed due to some dirt bags throwing pets from cars while on the interstate then claiming the pet jumped out to avoid animal cruelty charges.

If you have any other good tips on traveling with gear, partners and pets for the wrangler 2 door please share. I don’t think the wife is willing to give up her seat yet and she is a better spotter on the trail.

May just break down and get a trailer for the gear and wife.

 

[HeliSniper]

OK, I've got a bone to pick here (pun intended).
I was telling a colleague of mine about my dog loving to hang his head out of the window as I drove, but he gets confused why he is not allowed to when he goes flying in the helicopter with me. Well, her got all over me for letting George hang his head out of the window. She said, "Do you know that a dog can go blind doing that. they do not know that sand, dirt, rocks, and bugs can hit them in their eyes and that's it for their sight for the rest of their lives." Well I have to say this was an education for me as I had never considered that. And anybody that knows George and I know that I would take a bullet before I would let George get a scratch. So I was introduced to Rex Specs. yep, goggles for dogs, and it does not take long for them to get used to them. Just follow the link and you'll see what I mean......
https://www.rexspecs.com/

 

[Horse Soldier]

The only advice I have is do not hook the leash onto the bumper. Chevy Chase did and the dog kept for about 30 miles.

 

[Daryl 32]

Ernie owns the back seat of our 99 F250 Super Duty!

I built storage boxes that go on the floor behind the front seats that are almost as high as the rear seat, add seat cover and Ernie's bed and he has his travel spot. Wife and I sleep in the shell and Ernie in the cab on his bed, we leave the connecting sliders between the cab and shell open at night.

 

[Daryl 32]

OK, I've got a bone to pick here (pun intended).
I was telling a colleague of mine about my dog loving to hang his head out of the window as I drove, but he gets confused why he is not allowed to when he goes flying in the helicopter with me. Well, her got all over me for letting George hang his head out of the window. She said, "Do you know that a dog can go blind doing that. they do not know that sand, dirt, rocks, and bugs can hit them in their eyes and that's it for their sight for the rest of their lives." Well I have to say this was an education for me as I had never considered that. And anybody that knows George and I know that I would take a bullet before I would let George get a scratch. So I was introduced to Rex Specs. yep, goggles for dogs, and it does not take long for them to get used to them. Just follow the link and you'll see what I mean......
https://www.rexspecs.com/

HeliSniper thanks for the link - I always think of this but not sure Ernie would leave them on?

Everytime my foot comes a little off the go peddle Ernie puts his nose on my left shoulder and pokes my left ear until I roll down his window half way! LOL

 

[Frosty06]

Don’t feel this warrants making a new thread, but:
Anyone know if RTT is still viable with large (107lbs) dog?

I’ve asked this to someone with similar and he stated he just helps the dog up ladder. Idk bout all that jazz. Anybody else have experience?