Driving in car where is your dog?

[danyp1]

I was wondering when you guys drive in a car or truck where is your dog?

Crate? Saftey Harness on a seat belt? Front or back seat? Or on a leash? Muzzle or no muzzle?

What prompted me to ask this was that I was told a muzzle would be good to use on a dog if they are not in a crate because if there is an accident the dog might think it needs to defend you from being helped..

My pup was in a crate now in a saftey harness back seat no muzzle.
:)

[angel girl]

I drive a '92 Lumina APV minivan with removable rear seats. the last row is sitting in the garage. Lucky's wire crate is tied down to the seat anchors. Any time she is in the van she rides in the crate. It is so much more convienent to put her in there and not listen to her bark at motorcycles or semi's. Shania has fiber glass crate that sits on the back seat and is seat belted in. Its a "new generation" crate with a built in seat belt slot. And so it fits easily and securely into the backseat.

And the biggest advantage. Very little dog hair to clean outta the van.

[Carina43]

In my truck (Nissan extra cab) the dogs generally ride behind the seats, in the "extra" part. I can fit two dogs at a time - I've driven a friend's Great Dane and a Rottweiler in that little truck!

In my car (Saab) I have a VERY strict no dogs in the front seat policy. The dogs respect this (or I let them know in no uncertain terms!) The back seat has a leopard print waterproof seat protector, to save the leather from mud and dog paws.

I know the current conventional wisdom is crates or seat belts, but I've not gone that route.

Had one dog in an accident - stoopid ex-husband was driving and plowed into the back of a school bus. The dog was fine. I had a horrible bruise from hitting the dash with my arm, and from the seat belt practically beheading me. The ex (who wasn't wearing a seat belt) was also completely fine. The Blazer was totalled and the schoolbus & kids were fine. Go figure.

[Judy Chrusch]

We have an extended cab pickup truck, we took the seat out and replaced it with a crate:D , works very well for us, not to mention he is SAFE!!

Judy

[SABELLESMOM]

Recently purchased Ruffrider-ROADIE canine vehicle restraint system(s). They'll still be in the back seat, but safer!

[RottiMomCT]

I ordered a Ruff-Rider restraint less than 10 minutes ago...have been talking about getting one for a while now, but with the new Jeep purchase, there is MORE room between the front and back seats, and Ben likes to stand or sit right between the two front seats.

Last weekend, I had the back seats folded down, and Ben was able to look out the windows easily while laying down...I'm not sure I like that too much - he was too high up for me to be 100% comfortable with that...of course, he LOVED it....sprawled out like he was in a limo!!!

We should have it by early next week...will see how Ben likes it ;)

[samanthac]

Currently in crates, but we are looking into a dog trailer.

[OWQ]

I've removed the third seat from the van and folded up the second row. They have the entire back.

[Jaegergirl]

in the truck, maverick rides in the back (bed) in his crate. in the camry, he rides in the back seat. i bought him a harness but he got all tangled up in the seatbelt and about freaked so needless to say, i don't use it. we will be turning our camry in the next month and will hopefully be purchasing a suburu outback. maverick will ride in the way back with one of those dog fences.

[Silvermarten]

I've a '91 Toyota 4x4 truck and the rotts ride in the canopy . Though it's a tight squeeze now with 115lb Bruce , 70lb Henry and my partners 75lb Derrick . The youngsters are in crates and Bruce is loose .

:D
Jenny

Bruce - 10yr plus rottie rescue with cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Henry - 9 1/2 month old hyper licking black & rust lightening streak
Derrick - 9 1/2 month old super mellow littermate to Henry

[Saint33]

I feel that a crate is the safest place for a dog to be when riding in a car or a truck. And I also make sure that the crate is very secure where ever it may be.

[BostonRott]

In crates.

As a paramedic, I'll tell you that anything loose can be considered dead in a crash over about 40 MPH. And if the dog isn't killed, it may slam into you (killing you) or fly out onto the street and be flattened.

Seat belts work for a reason, your kids don't ride loose, why do your dogs??? (Note: generic "you")

[lblax]

well if i have had too much to drink or really tired i let him drive but only on the interstates no city driving for him.... but other than that he is crated its the only safe place

[spidey]

I'm with Larry - Rakki will be the designated driver once he's tall enough to reach the pedals and the steering wheel at the same time - as it is now, I just let him operate one or the other. ;)

Seriously - he's in his crate in the car (also the only time I leave a collar on in the crate is in the car, just in case). On long trips we do let him spend some time on laps, but I know that's not very safe and I'm always nervous until he's back in the crate.

[rotts and roses]

LOL Larry:D
My dogs ride in the trunk. j/k They wear thier seatbelts, The kids ride in the trunk;)