How do you drive with your dogs?

[CyberHero]

Been trying figure things out with my 5month old lab. I have my wife in passenger seat and my two kids in the back, one being in a car seat. We can’t do much because our dog is so freaking big. I’m trying to figure out the best solution because he’s a pup so he doesn’t sit down for long.
This just limits our travel anything longer than an hour honestly.

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[kevman65]

Dog gets shotgun, everyone else has to fight for a seat..........

 

[Greg_L]

Leave everyone else at home, take the dog and go.

 

[Gvsukids]

Been trying figure things out with my 5month old lab. I have my wife in passenger seat and my two kids in the back, one being in a car seat. We can’t do much because our dog is so freaking big. I’m trying to figure out the best solution because he’s a pup so he doesn’t sit down for long.
This just limits our travel anything longer than an hour honestly.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/hauling-dogs-what’s-your-setup.33266/

 

[seasparrow]

I have a 95lb staff terrier (pit). But no kids, so he gets the back.

Base: I set it up like a platform using 2 “behind seat” storage boxes I sourced on Amazon in 2021 (I looked for link but didn’t see ‘em, sorry). This gives him a solid rectangle that’s all his. Loves those windows too. One bin has all his crap. The other has all my crap. It’s tidy!

Protection: They sell padded seat covers, but I just use a combo of a fleece blanket (to cover all areas), and a comfortable house rug. WAY cheaper, and WAY easier to wash (buy swap-outs). See pics!

Gladiators aren’t pet-friendly, but this works well. It is bit high, so I help/guide him in and out to save his joints. Here’s how:

Getting in, I’m there with him. I say “step”. He aims for the lowest part first (vs high jumping). I lift/guide his butt while he pulls himself in. Works every time. Super quick too once routine.

Getting out is what it is. Dogs shouldn’t smash the ground jumping out — unless you like vet bills.

First, he’s told to “wait”. I open his door. Then I “spot” him. I say “ok” and he jumps while I guide him. All one motion. No deadlifting or back-breaking stuff. Really is simple, fast, and safe.

Hope this helps!

 

[Supazuk]

My one year old lab Shepard mix, just hops in the back on the seat cover, I have one of those seatbelt lanyards to keep her tethered then go for a drive, don't over think it

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

I’m assuming you’re looking for a truck bed solution cause that fella is gonna be too big for the back seat with 2 people. It’s tight for my 70lbs Borador who barely fits with one car seat in the back, let alone adding a second person.

I vaguely remember seeing a pretty secure dog crate for the bed. It’s in a thread somewhere on this forum

 

[AustyPosty]

You could get a bed cap with a window? Might be the best solution for long trips.

 

[BourbonRunner]

Is your guy crate trained? A crate in the bed with a cap might be the best solution since you've got some two legged critters in the back seat already.

 

[Redfour5]

I’m assuming you’re looking for a truck bed solution cause that fella is gonna be too big for the back seat with 2 people. It’s tight for my 70lbs Borador who barely fits with one car seat in the back, let alone adding a second person.

I vaguely remember seeing a pretty secure dog crate for the bed. It’s in a thread somewhere on this forum

One, he is an English variant. They tend to be blockier and stockier and heavier, otherwise same dog. American variants are generally slimmer, a bit lighter and more active. He's gonna be a big big boy you can tell. I'd get a Ram 1500 and give him the 40% in the back seat. Ram 1500 (NOT 2500's) seats are huge in back. The 60% is big enough for two "normal sized" kids. They are cheap right now. You have a tough row to hoe there...

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

One, he is an English variant. They tend to be blockier and stockier and heavier, otherwise same dog. American variants are generally slimmer, a bit lighter and more active. He's gonna be a big big boy you can tell. I'd get a Ram 1500 and give him the 40% in the back seat. Ram 1500 (NOT 2500's) seats are huge in back. The 60% is big enough for two "normal sized" kids. They are cheap right now. You have a tough row to hoe there...

I have to admit, there was a recent time that I was looking to get a 1500 because we just had our newborn and will likely have a second one in the next 2 years or so. I just couldn’t bring myself to get rid of the Gladiator. It’s very unlikely to ever happen.

I’ll probably end up getting a high mileage Land Cruiser 100 series or something when more space is needed (keeping the Gladiator though).

 

[danimal2000]

I got a soft topper (agricover overlander) that I put on for road trips. Dogs go in the bed tethered in with crate mats. They pretty much lay the whole time. I keep the cab opened to the bed. If it's warm out I put a usb fan in the window to blow cab air back there. Also leave the sides of the topper vented.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Crate secured in the bed, I’ve done this for big and small dogs alike. If rain is a concern then you gotta basically make a rain fly but otherwise it’s straightforward.

Recommend some kind of plywood ramp or something for them to walk on so you avoid a possible injury if they hop down and land wrong or something.

 

[Lap it Up]

Dog gets shotgun, everyone else has to fight for a seat..........

This is exactly how we roll in the Jeep, boats, golf cart, and C-class motorhome. Dog calls shotgun.

 

[Alpine Warthog]

I removed the 60 in the 60/40 rear seat and built a plywood platform for my German Shepherd. It saves my leather from mud and claws. I bought a pad from K9 Ballistics so he'd be comfortable. I'll try to post a pic of it here shortly

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