Transporting Large Dog

[djkeev]

I have a Vibe, apparently a "great dog car" http://dogcars.com/cars/2009/Pontiac/Vibe/I have a new puppy, Grover, while quite small now he will grow into a large Golden Retriever.While this isn't our first dog by any means, our last one was a HORRIBLE traveler so he never got (we never gave him) much of a chance to go. This puppy will hopefully be a car dog if all goes as planned.How do you folks transport a large breed dog on a regular basis? Back seat up? If so how to you "protect" the upholstery from hair and dirt?Back seat Down, it is slippery and unsafe, what have you done?I don't desire to travel with the pet in a cage, I'd rather train him to do as I wish and stay where I tell him to.Behind the seats is kind of small and cramped for a larger dog.Any experiences on what you do / did and how well did they work.We are "older" (when does one say "I am old" anyway?) with just the two of us most of the time so the back seat isn't a "must have". It is a "nice to have" though.Thanks allDave

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[bodhi_tree777]

cute pup . My dog rides in the back, we put down a textured mat so that she doesn't slide around on the plastic. We actually run her leash through one of the tiedowns so she can't jump up into the front seats (which she would if she could). Not that I mind a dog up front, but this one likes to throw up on car rides.She's pretty big (about 50 lbs), and it seems like plenty of room for her to move around a bit, look out the windows (the rear wiper really gets her going) or lay down if she needs to.

[Wolfman213]

My dog is 72 lbs and prob about the same height as a normal adult golden retriever would be. I put both the rear seats down. I've got the whole rear herculined to prevent him from slipping aournd. I have to leave the windows up just a little bc when I left them doen all the way, he liked to rest his head and since the glass doesn't go down all the way he "choked" himself over bumps quite frequently. Fortunately for me, Raider will stay in the rear while I'm in the car.. Once I get out to run in somewhere, he likes to take the driver's seat lol.

[joatmon]

I have a large hound (~120 lbs) . Usually, it's just me and him in the car, and I leave the back seats down. If there's more than two people in the car, the back seats are up and gets the back. I don't have any tips on keeping hair and dirt from the upholstery.Somewhere here there is a how to thread on making a dog barrier. I didn't make one, the people in the back seat have the job of keeping the dog back there Here's a cool thing to do with a puppy that small, especially one that will get really big. Pose the dog in some position next to something you will have for years (for scale) and take a picture. Do this in the same position, withthe same reference object every month for the first year, maybe every other month or less until the dog is fully grown. Then string the pictures together in an animation to watch the tiny little puppy grow into a beast.

[808 Vibes]

Awww.... Grover...Too cute. I believe Keith and a few others have a dog barrier in the back. I once saw a test they did in Germany where they used a crash test dummy dog that was unsecured. They crashed the test car and that test dummy dog went flying into the windshield. I didn't need any more convincing after that. I use a medium size crate, or a carry bag with seat belt fastened on it-dash says airbag off because seat is folded down. I have several medium and large "Pooch Pads", washable, reusable floor protection/incontinent/pee pads that I bought to put on the bottom of an x-pen. They worked famously for slurps from the water bowl, barf and pee accidents. There hasn't been a pee accident in years, so I now use them in the cargo area, and two on the floor in front (in case bird's water gets spilled on it, no biggie.) I also use it to put on the bottom of the crate. It has a solid backing so there are no leaks on to carpet below. They were a wise investment-years later and they're still good as new. Larger pet shops sell them. http://www.jefferspet.com/ssc/...RBEX3

[star_deceiver]

Cute puppy! Har and Dirt: Brush well before the trip or (if possibe) use the vacuum on the dog. Seats down with blanket.

[rAERRK]

i have a full grown lab, and if its just the dog and nothing else, usually seats folded flat with a blanket down.

[Underdog]

I have a 70 lbs Weimaraner (Buster) and he loves to ride. I keep the back seat down and use a dog bed I got from Costco so he doesn't slide around and has a nice soft place to lay. I have a harness that goes around his chest that gets clipped int. I think it's called a "Mutt Slinger" and it was designed by an off roader. I don't like to clip his collar because if anything happens h=the collar can strangle him. I also bought a Honda Goldwing with a sidecar just for the dog. He gets clipped in that too. Actually, I'm a Harley guy so when I ride the sidecar rig I tell everyone it belong to Buster, I'm just the driver!

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[star_deceiver]

That dog lives the life of luxury!!!

[djkeev]

Hey all!I solved MY problem about pet transport. We wanted to preserve the rear cargo area for "stuff", stupid items like groceries, a roll of paper towels, shopping bags (we try to be green if we can be) car blanket and all that other stuff one used to carry in a trunk! The puppy (now almost 15 weeks) loves to tear stuff like that to shreds given the chance.We also didn't want the car fabric to smell like dog, or worse yet, wet dog. We also wanted to minimize the fur storm that Goldens produce in the car.Seat covers would work but bother me, look crappy, fit crappy, fall off, etc, etc, etc.We discovered this unit...http://www.hunterk9.com/site/870877/product/2590and ordered it up. $80 bucks was a tad steep cost wise but we went for the water resistant style, having a retriever (living sponge if you will) and are thrilled with it. You can get less expensive ones but we don't have kids at home anymore, let's blow some dough on the stupid dog!It came quickly, installs in seconds, removes in seconds and is absolutely perfect. If you buckle your dog in, you still can with this. If you don't buckle him in, it prevents the pet from falling in the foot well hole in front of the seat. The foot well area is still available and clean for packages and such while the dog hovers above it all. It also provides a barrier to the front seats over the armrest.TO us, THIS was a best buy!! I highly recommend this to anyone with a dog, large or small.It's got goofy pockets built in, I guess they are for the dogs Walkman and extra CD's or to put his iPod in?? Maybe his doggie porn magazines?Dave

[KNINE]

Pretty cool. I bookmarked the website so I can do some shopping of my own later. I have two large shepherds, and they require the entire back with the seats folded down. When I went new car shopping, I based my purchase on dog carrying ability first, and gas milage second. The Vibe fits the bill.

[Blanco_Diablo]

I have that...very effective for my lab/shephard mix...approx. 70 lbs. That was going to be my vote!

[808 Vibes]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »It's got goofy pockets built in, I guess they are for the dogs Walkman and extra CD's or to put his iPod in?? Maybe his doggie porn magazines?DaveThe pet industry knows we spend BIG bucks on our pets- we are always looking for the newest, latest, greatest, healthiest, safest, most convenient products. So they keep innovative to keep us spending. LOL. They do think of everything from cooling bandannas to crate fans. Those pockets are for his toys, snacks, grooming supplies, collapsible water bowls, emergency first aid kit... Oh and his sudoku puzzles and the remote for the DVD. He wants to watch 'Air Bud' by the way

[nugentc]

Great thread here. I love the seat hammock thing for $80, Dave. We have a large breed (some type of mix from the pound) that is around 115 pounds. The metal crate we have came with a folding metal divider piece. We use that secured with some bungee cords as a barrier between the cargo area and the back seat and she rides along back there. Maybe I can find that thread someone mentioned on making a dog barrier to see if there is something a little easier than what we're doing. Love this forum!